Unflagging efforts to get it right
WALTHAM - A couple of days before the Celtics' 17th NBA championship banner was to be raised at TD Banknorth Garden, it was being watched over at New England Flag and Banner, which has been producing them since the team's first NBA title, in 1957. And doing so the old-fashioned way, according to owner Ned Flynn.
"There are not many handmade things left," Flynn said from the company's Waltham office. "But this one is hand-sewn and hand-cut. That hasn't changed at all. The stencils are made by digital plotters, and that's the only technology that has changed. Otherwise, a woman sits at a sewing machine and uses regular scissors to make it."
Flynn said this one required 20 hours to complete, the work concluding two weeks ago. The banner was then sent to North Carolina to be flame-treated.
"It's out back right now being stretched so the wrinkles will be minimized," Flynn said.
The first title banners were made from cotton. Now, nylon is used.
Actually, Flynn already provided a 2008 banner to the Celtics for their HealthPoint gym in Waltham. That one is 8 feet by 12 feet, matching the size of the previous 16. The banners at the Garden are 10 feet by 15 feet - the originals are hanging at the practice facility.
"When the new Garden opened, the problem was the facility was so much larger than the old Garden, and the Celtics wanted to make the banners bigger," Flynn said.
Flynn's firm produces thousands of flags and pennants.
"There are 2,100 intercollegiate athletic programs, and we do them for 1,700," Flynn said.
But the Celtics' set the standard.
"Maybe because I grew up here, but I look at the Celtics' in a category of its own," Flynn said. "It's very special. Obviously, more care goes into it in the sense we want to make sure it's perfect."
Banner trivia:
"NBA" is stenciled over a white background if the championship was clinched at home; "NBA" is stenciled over a green background if the title was won away. Some do not accurately reflect this, however, because of mistakes made when replacing banners either damaged by water or stolen.
A penny reflecting the year of the banner is sewn into the label.
And according to Flynn, tonight's banner-raising might have a new twist.
"Let's just say it's going to be interesting," he said.
Start without them
LeBron James said during Cavaliers practice yesterday he has decided the team will remain in the locker room during the ring ceremony. "We don't need to watch that," James said. "We need to get ready for the game. Congratulations to them. But we're not a fan of Boston. We don't need to be out there clapping." James also didn't think opening against the Celtics was more special than opening against any other team. "They're getting their rings and the ceremony," James said. "But it doesn't matter who we play. We have to approach it the same way." . . . Asked about being projected among the top teams in the East this season, James said, "We've been in this position for the last few years. So we know we can't sneak up on any teams no more. We're looking forward to the challenge." . . . The former Celtics expected to attend tonight's ceremony include M.L. Carr, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, Cedric Maxwell, Satch Sanders, and JoJo White. 