Before tonight's game six of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, Massachusetts was awash with Celtic Pride. From front page newspapers like the Boston Herald, to talk radio and local news coverage, residents of the Commonwealth were already celebrating as if the Celtics had already amassed the series. Even Boston's Mayor Menino, who is nicknamed "Mumbles," got so caught up in the hysteria that he flubbed the names of Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett. But after tonight's game, it looks like Celtics devotees will have to wait until game 7 to claim victory. The Boston Celtics lost in game six to the Miami Heat, final score 98 - 79. A complete blow out by the Heat. The funny thing about Celtics fans, and New England sports fans in general, is their tremendous amount of enthusiasm. Boston sports fans are undeniably loyal, comically vocal, and their spirit can never be conquered. The loss to the Miami Heat tonight doesn't even effect them.
As a bandwagon Boston sports fans, I've come to a conclusion as to why Bostonians, and New England at large, are undeterred by a loss to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Sure, tonight's failure is a letdown, but it's almost as if we don't even recognize the loss. It doesn't affect our enthusiasm for the team. We just ignore the outcome and move towards the next game with the same vigor and confidence that we had prior to the loss. The reason we are so readily able to look beyond a defeat is because Boston sports have suffered so many improbable and dramatic losses in the past, that we don't even feel disappointment anymore. Whether it be the "Curse of the Bambino" or the Giants last minute Superbowl win over the New England Patriots, we are undisturbed by these disappointments. It has become a part of our expectations for our sports teams. Whether it be the Boston Celtics or the Boston Red Sox, any time our favorite teams make it to the finals, we cheer and roar with unbridled support. If they fail, we just move on to the next season. We don't mourn the loss and we don't feel disappointment. Not anymore. It's so engrained into our history that it rolls off our backs like water beads on an oil slick.
Some people may think that this instilled and almost natural view is negative and counterproductive. After all, don't New Age guru's claim that positive thoughts breed positive results? In truth, I think it's great that as Boston sports fans, we can handle disheartenment so easily. While other fans may get stressed out or lose complete faith in their team, we never lose faith that at some point, we will win again. It may not be this year, it may be in 80 years, but we know at some point it will come to pass. And until that day, we don't live with hope and disappointment. We live with assurance, confidence and pride. Those are the genuine qualities of a Boston sports fan.
Source: Yahoo Sports
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