Through a haze of his own cigar smoke, Paul Pierce peered through sleepless eyes at the sea of green-clad fans and thrust his golden MVP trophy skyward.
His day had finally arrived. A day to ride in his own championship parade. A day that gave normal people a chance to wave signs, paint their faces in Boston Celtics colors and scream their hearts out for the latest team to bring a title to town.
“We’re tired of watching these parades on TV. Now we get to enjoy our own,” Pierce said after a fantastic season that followed nine frustrating ones in his Boston career. “I haven’t had any sleep yet, so now I’m still enjoying it.”
PHOTO: AP
The Celtics earned Thursday’s “rolling rally” celebration with an amazing comeback season topped off by a stunningly dominant 131-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday in Game 6 of the NBA finals. Pierce was the series MVP.
It was the Celtics’ first title without Red Auerbach, the team patriarch who died in October 2006 after being part of the other 16 championships, nine as coach. The cigars smoked by players and fans were a tribute to Auerbach’s custom of lighting one up on the bench in the waning moments of still another win.
“We wish he could be here,” Pierce said before he lit his cigar, “so I’m doing this to honor him.”
Players rode in amphibious tourist vehicles like those used by soldiers in World War II. They also transported the New England Patriots after their Super Bowl championships in February of 2002, 2004 and 2005 and the Boston Red Sox after their World Series victories in October 2004 and 2007.
Now it was time for Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and their teammates to travel a nearly 3km route from TD Banknorth Garden, the arena where the title was won in the team’s 108th game of a grueling season — 82 of them wins — to Copley Plaza near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
“We’ve seen plenty of people go through their championship parades,” Allen said, “and never did I think I would be a part of one. It’s great to definitely do it here in Boston.”
Police reported 21 arrests, mostly for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. But fans had one last chance to enjoy the team’s first title in 22 years.
“Who would have ever thought? Boston. Title town,” said Ryan Stillman, 21, who was born five months after Boston won its last championship on June 8, 1986.
Boston went 66-16 one season after going 24-58, the second worst record in the league.
The mastermind was general manager Danny Ainge, who traded for Garnett and Allen. The field general was coach Doc Rivers. Both let the players absorb the glory.
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