As of this writing, the New England Patriots sit at 1-3 with their only win coming against the New York Jets in Week 3. This is the third consecutive season in which the team has started 1-3. New Englanders can pencil in a victory over the Jets twice a year. At this point, it’s expected. What’s also expected in wins over teams besides the Jets. This is the fourth season since Tom Brady left the Patriots, and they have a record of 26-29. It’s becoming clearer and clearer who won the breakup between Tom and Bill as the Patriots continue to disappoint their fans (and NFL fans who just want to watch some football). In Week 4 of the NFL season, the Patriots lost to the Cowboys 38-3. It’s no secret in league circles that the Dallas defense is among the best units in the league, and while the Patriots were heavy underdogs, few could have predicted such a one-sided affair. Coach Belichick even benched Mac Jones in the third quarter down 28.
Patriots fans, especially those on campus, are used to winning. Years of Super Bowls, Stanley Cups, World Series Championships, and even an NBA title is a stark contrast to the last four years. I cannot begin to imagine what it’s like to have parades every year. No seriously, I’m a New York sports fan. My teams, the Giants, Knicks, Yankees, and Rangers, have had little success this century, though the two Giants Super Bowl wins over the Patriots almost make the losing seasons worth it. Even if you include the other four NYC teams, Boston has significantly outperformed New York since 2000. Don’t worry Patriots fans, this is what being a true fan is like. Seasons of bad quarterback play and losses on Sunday ruin the start of your week. So while this is new for you, the rest of us are used to it. It’s normal.
Of course, I’m being a bit facetious. Fans on campus certainly have a lot to look forward to on the hardwood. In the Tatum-Brown era, the Celtics have outperformed expectations every year. While no banners have been raised in the TD Garden since 2008, the team in green has been knocking on the door for the last several years. The 2022 Finals loss to the Warriors came at the hands of Steph Curry, who finally won his first Finals MVP. When Steph is on it’s hard to imagine a world in which anyone beats them. Last year cut deep in Boston. Entering the Eastern Conference Finals, the C’s quickly fell down 3-0 against the Miami Heat. They stormed back, seeking to become the first team to win a playoff series after trailing 3-0. The rally wasn’t enough, as the Heat won a Game 7 on the road and clinched their berth in the NBA finals. Questions about first-year coach Joe Mazzulla and splintering relationships in the locker room surrounded the team at the start of the offseason. Marcus Smart was dealt to Memphis in a three-team trade that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston. In a sign-and-trade, Grant Williams packed his bags for Dallas and left Beantown. Williams was an energizer for the Celtics when stars Jayson and Jalen were not vocal leaders, but Grant’s tendency to talk just a bit too much frequently came back to bite (see Jimmy Butler incident in the playoffs or verbally sparing with Donovan Mitchel with the game on the line and Williams at the foul line).
Following the events of the last few weeks, Celtics fans have to be feeling great heading into the NBA season. While the Damian Lillard trade put the Bucks at the top of the Eastern Conference, losing Jrue Holiday was a big defensive loss, especially when contrasted with Lillard’s defensive talent. The big three of Dame, Giannis, and Middleton creates a powerful offensive unit that can likely outscore any team in the league. Just a few days later, Holiday was dealt to the Celtics for a package of picks, Robert Williams, and Malcolm Brogdon. Along with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics now have a roster filled with defensive stoppers and offensive firepower. In the arms race for talent in the NBA, two of the league’s top teams will be battling all season to win the East, in what is shaping up to be one of the best NBA seasons in years.
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