Pain.

Achilles pain, elbow pain, back pain, calf pain, ankle pain. Pain. It's a word Celtics fans have grown accustomed to all season. I really did not feel too nervous going into last night's game. I don't know what it was. Confidence? Cockiness? Reserve? I just felt ready to deal with whatever was coming tonight. But I did not think it would go down like this. Or did I?

Something in the back of my mind kept bringing up last year's terrible Game 7 loss, and the miserable summer that followed. And sure enough, despite trying to lie myself that it would be different, we ran out of steam. Again. And gave two of the best players in the world an opportunity. But we fought. Tooth and nail. Fought the refs, fought injury, fought fair weather fans, the media.. We did fight. But it still was not enough. For many, including the players, this will be a summer of what-ifs: "what if Rondo was 100%?"…"what if Ainge had not made those trades?"…"what if Pierce doesn't pick-up early fouls…?" But not for me.

There is only one question I have. Will the Celtics organization go out and get some proven young talent that will help us get over this hump? I hear Pierce when he says "we still feel like we can compete.." after tonight's game. And you know, they probably can. But…they need to get younger. Rondo needs some young thoroughbreds to get out on the wings with him. That's my only question for this offseason.

So this 2010-11 season is over. I will personally try and look ahead. Why? Mostly because it's too tough to look back right now. This is a sad time of year for me. See, I love everything about the Celtics. I love going to the Garden early and watching the guys walk-in the building. I love watching them get shots-up pregame. I love saying hello to all the media and talking to them about the upcoming game. I love the butterflies I get in my stomach when the opening video plays on the Jumbotron. I love everything about the Celtics and the TD Garden.

Until next season, I deeply thank everyone who has read my posts, followed my tweets and supported this team, this blog and this way of life that is the Boston Celtics for another season. Ubuntu.