Since we've entered the slow period in sports, allow me take out some frustration on one of my beloved teams this morning. As we approach (slowly) the upcoming NFL football season, get ready for a bunch of coaches to point to the Celtics and say, "Hey look, they went from the bottom to the top, we can do it too! Rah! Rah!"
Surprising no one in the Chicago area, the genius that is Lovie Smith was the first to jump out with a message of false optimism:
"It's good to see a team like the Boston Celtics come back from a disappointing year and hold up the championship trophy the next year.Step 1: Point to Celtics
We've been in last place and we've climbed that mountain. So that's the message going in."
Step 2: Wait
Step 3: Championship!
Understandably, it's a coach's job to make his players believe they can accomplish the impossible, the very best have always done that. But even the dumbest of individuals on the Bears should be able to notice one glaring different between themselves and the Celtics.
That whole number step 2 didn't involve just waiting around for Danny Ainge and Boston. It included flossing two general managers for two of the game's best players: Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
It's doubtful that anyone will be comparing Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd with Allen and KG anytime soon. You see, you just sit around and wait for things to happen, which appears to be the plan of attack in Chicago. Winning involves taking some big risks, proactively acquiring talent and then letting them do their thing on the field. Doc Rivers isn't a magician, he's just a guy that had a great seat and had the privilege of pretending he was providing insightful guidance.
As for some NFL teams capable of going from the bottom to the top, you've got to like the chances of St. Louis, Baltimore and even Atlanta much more than the Bears.
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