Its almost Gino Time in Boston

 

Its almost Gino Time in Boston

 

Now unless you are a Boston Celtic fanatic, Gino Time will have no meaning to you, but it has become a huge part of Celtic folklore. It started in 1995 and is a one-minute video that is played at the last timeout when the Celtics are at home and certain to win. ESPN’s Chris Forsberg wrote a brilliant piece on the story of Gino Time .

Its a crowd favourite that gets them dancing in the aisles and with the way this young team is going Gino Time will soon become a staple once again.

 

Since the glory days of Pierce, Allen, Garnett and Rondo there have been a couple of lean seasons for the Celtics. But they are once again moving their way up the Eastern Conference standings and are in a prime position to make a huge splash in the next couple of seasons.

 

The Celtics are currently 39-27 having just won 13 in a row at home. They have the third best record since January 21 (17-5) behind only the Warriors and the Spurs, the two best teams in the league.

 

They currently have the the 4th best defensive rating in the league and the 9th best offensive rating without a true ‘superstar’ they are definitely a team on its way up. It’s been a slow, but efficient process but General Manger Danny Ainge knows how to build a successful team and he likes what he sees, “They’re fun. They play the right way. They play together. They play hard. I don’t know how good we can be. What really matters is what they believe, our health, there’s so many factors.”

 

Boston have built this current squad through not only through drafting the likes of Marcus Smart (Pick 6, 2014), Jarred Sullinger (Pick 21, 2012) and Avery Bradley (Pick 19, 2010) but also with an array of very smart trades and free agent signings. Acquiring Isaiah Thomas from the Suns at last years trade deadline and also Jae Crowder from the Dallas Mavericks in the infamous Rajon Rondo trade.

 

Danny Ainge has also been very smart with his signings like Amir Johnson (2 years), Evan Turner (1 year) and Jonas Jerebko (2 years) making these moves while still maintaining the team’s flexibility to make moves down the track if a star becomes available.

 

Boston is positioned perfectly to trade for a superstar if one becomes available, they have long been rumored with stars like Demarcus Cousins, Kevin Love and Al Horford. The Celtics have so many pieces and assets that can be used to nab one and Danny Ainge is no stranger to pulling off a big deal. You only have to look back to 2008 for that when he acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen leading to banner number 17.

 

If they can pull off a trade like that, it will catapult them further into contention and maybe push for that 18th championship banner. Lets not forget the treasure chest of draft picks that the Celtics have over the next few seasons.

 

The most prized is the Brooklyn Nets 2016 draft pick which could very well end up being the the number one pick. Brooklyn currently have the leagues fourth worst record , so Boston currently sit third in the Eastern Conference as well having the fourth best odds for the number one draft pick. 
Which could land the Celtics Australian superstar Ben Simmons which would make notable Boston fan Bill Simmons very happy.

 

Now Boston aren’t expected to contend for a championship this season or possibly even next season, getting past Golden State is near on impossible currently but the Celtics could win a couple of playoff series and maybe even push for the Eastern Conference Finals which would be an incredible achievement so early into their rebuild.

 

They are currently in an ideal situation, not expected to do much and having the rights to a great draft pick. Its a win/win for them. But for the Celtics fans, Gino Time is on the way back.