The Boston Celtics 2003-2004 version 1.0 opened up against the Sixers Sunday night. It's neither boring nor comfortable. Even the fourth quarter.
Guys fight for their professional lives. Some battle for the right to sit at the end of the bench, others for meaningful minutes. It's Darwinian display on hardwood.
But it's more than that. It's hearing Mike Gorman and Brian Scalabrine again. Payton Pritchard (26 points) shined as though desperate for dollars, despite having signed a $30M/four-year extension in the morning. "Told you so," his play said.
It's watching NBA spacing with forever filled corners.
It's admiring the talent. Scalabrine says, mildly exaggerating, "everyone can 'shoot it'."
It studying technique, how guys get open with the ball with acceleration-deceleration, change of direction and change of pace.
It's watching simple and complex screening (e.g. DHOs, staggers, screen-the-screener, Spain).
It's watching guys try to contain the ball and seeing who blocks out.
It's studying nature, from the macro - cardinals and jays, to the micro - the bees and ants - a daily survival struggle.
How could that be boring?
"Everyone can shoot it."