Memories are forever

Sometimes I forget what an amazing ride we just went on with the 2008 Boston Celtics. It's the little things that remind you though; whether it's seeing one of "The Big Three" (they proved they are worthy of the nickname) on TV, spending a little more than you should for a Paul Pierce bobble-head doll holding the Finals Trophy because it's just too cool to pass up, or seeing another Bill Walker preseason facial (he's in line for a ton of Tommy Points). I've come across all those instances and I was reminded again when my annual weekend-pack of tickets arrived in the mail. The only downside was being reminded that I was forced into buying a preseason ticket for the same $70 price. But hey, with the economy doing so well, who cares!

Did you hear? We're world champs! (AP Photo)

I attended the preseason bore this past Sunday and while only there for the second half, it wasn't all that bad. After going to the balcony last year for the bigger weekend pack, my friends and I are back in the loge this year with aisle seats that are located directly next to the bathroom AND Mike the bartender (section 19/20) -- clutch for timeouts/halftime. On top of that, the "Scal-a-bri-ne" chants were back in full effect at the TD Banknorth Home of No ATM Fees and Free Checking Garden, Gabe Pruitt put up a Rondo-esque stat line (11 points, 12 boards and 7 assists) and I caught Lucky teaching some little kid to do handstands on the thick metal stair handrails. Come to think of it, the kid's parents probably didn't appreciate it as much as I did. Either way, it was a nice prelude for this season's games. Still, most of the time I was there I couldn't help but think back to last season.

It's almost too hard to believe that the new season is less than a week away. Let's not forget about what we went through just yet. When your team is fortunate enough to win a championship you make sure you never forget it. This year has been by far the greatest sports-related year I've ever had in my 26 years of existence. I hate to admit this here, but I'm also a New York Giants fan. I swear I'm sorry, but being raised in Connecticut puts you in a tough spot, unless of course you enjoy making your eyes bleed with the WNBA -- how about those Connecticut Sun?!

(Side note: What was with all those WNBA, "Expect Great" commercials? That doesn't even make sense ... shouldn't it have been "Expect Greatness"? The WNBA - Expect Illiterate Advertisements.)

I feel a little better getting that off my chest. Please try not to hate me and place full blame on the self-proclaimed New England's Rising Star -- Hartford. If we had some professional sports teams (the Whalers don't count because they played hockey, in a mall no less), I wouldn't be left picking and choosing between two completely different sports cities. I swear, Boston is my second home and I have way more connections to it than New York, but when I was a kid I rooted for the Giants in football and I can't stop now. Bringing that up here makes me feel like I'm dating the ugly girl or something, let's move on.

Thinking back
I'm already anticipating this season but it's hard to forget what we went through last year. It all started with the lottery disaster. At the time, not getting the one or two pick was devastating, as exuded by the look of Tommy Heinsohn that night. Looking back, it was one of the best things that ever happened to our organization. We were able to package our pick with the rest of the 2007 Celtics and acquire Ray-Ray and KG. After a near perfect regular season, we experienced the heart-wrenching 1st, 2nd and 3rd round playoff series. Then it all culminated in the first ever six-game-sweep (let's face it; we owned that series for all but two or three quarters) against the longtime rival Los Angeles Lakers. Here are seven things that will stick with me forever:

1) Rondo becoming the player I knew he could be. Like I said last year, other than Chris Paul and Deron Williams, there is no other point guard I'd rather have for the future. On top of that, I don't think even Deron or CP3 himself would've meshed so well with The Big Three.

2) KG and Pierce becoming almost like brothers on and off the court. Ray-Ray and the others were involved in the camaraderie as well (such as the trip to Rome) but it was KG and Pierce greeting the media as teammates after every game. Not only does it take talent, but chemistry has to be there in order to win a championship. Just look at how the Cowboys are doing with TO, Pacman Jones, and Tank Johnson. On top of that, Nick Folk only managed to get me two points this week in fantasy football and quite possibly ruined my entire season! Speaking of which, let me know through the comments if there's a good fantasy basketball league I can join. I've done it once or twice but never really got into it. I'm giving it one last try this year.

3) The Texas Triangle sweep at Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Not only did we sweep but we broke Houston's 22-game winning streak in the process. This was the first time that I legitimately thought winning the NBA Finals wouldn't be a stretch. It was also the time Sam I Am hit a huge three-pointer to beat the Spurs. That seems like such a distant memory now. He's still on the bench just taunting us in the preseason too. Something tells me I'm not going to have any lack of motivation rooting for Pruitt this year. In fact I'm borderline petrified to think what will happen in the playoffs if he makes even one little mistake.

4) Attending the epic Pierce/LeBron showdown of Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. I'll never forget the atmosphere of that game. That's the kind of story I'll be telling my kids (right after I have Lucky teach them how to get a concussion at the Garden).

5) All of the Finals games but mainly "The Comeback" in Game 4. That was by far one of the most emotional games I've ever seen. I went from suicidal rage to uncontested joy in all of two hours. Even thinking about it right now makes me a little nauseous.

6) Paul Pierce taking home the Finals MVP after 10 LONG years in Boston. If I had to pick one favorite moment from the entire season, it might be Pierce running out of the tunnel after what looked like a Tony Allen knee injury that surely would've turned the tide of the Finals. Not only did he return but he made some of the biggest shots of the Finals in the third quarter of that game. You just can't make this stuff up.

7) KG's interview minutes after capturing his first, long sought after championship. There were plenty of awkward interviews throughout the playoffs, most notably Doc Rivers hitting on Michelle Tafoya in between quarters, but this one took the cake for me. "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLLLLLLE!"

Green 18?
It still rhymes, so why not? Sure we lost James Posey (which feels like losing a best friend) but we also gained some great pieces. I'm already through the roof on Bill Walker and Pruitt (who both could probably join the And One Tour). I like what Patrick O'Bryant has shown us so far (awkward tallness) and there's always hope that Doc Rivers and Sam Cassell will tie in an all-decisive battle to the death to determine who I hate more. Actually, I take that back, Sam I Am is a landslide favorite for that.

Who needs socks and high-tops when you've got style? (Getty Images)

I am usually too nervous to make any kind of prediction (especially at the start of the season) but here goes nothing -- Celtics win the Atlantic Division easily after finishing a bit off last year's pace at 57-25. They slide into the Finals after a grueling series with Miami only to be unseated by the New Orleans Hornets in six games. At least this is the pick I've talked myself into after I realized taking the Celtics over Cleveland and the Lakers again is just too easy.

One last prediction: After years of struggles, Scalabrine finally makes good on his $15 million contract by not only entering but winning the slam dunk contest with a between-the-legs, 360-degree windmill over Rondo while teaching children how to read.