I was a young fan of the Auerbach Celtics in the 60s, my very first sports love. The similarities are legion.
1. Both coaches pioneered the use of role players to an extent never before done.
2. Both fielded seemingly less talented teams (OK excepting THIS year's Patriots) yet beat the glory boys (Lakiz, Squealiz, Chaagiz, Colts)
3. Both featured superstars (Russell, Brady) that for years were not hyped by the national media focused on the Elgin Baylors & chamberlins of the day
4. Both continually out-coached their opponents
5. Both fielded teams that played their very best under extreme playoff pressure
6. Both were focused on winning, not on self-aggrandizement or popularity
7. Both were most often over shadowed by the local obsession with the Red Sox
And both had to scratch and claw for championship victories at times. The difference being that the Patriots were somehow deemed "inferior champions" when they scratched and clawed past the other 31 teams, and the Celtics were just considered winners.
Well, maybe not. I think Philly fans often saw the Celtics are "lucky", like when the in bounds pass hit the guy wire. And it's true that you need luck to win a championship, no matter if you have Russell and Cousy, et al. The other guys were good too. If you could beat Chamberlain then I don't give a damn how you did it, it was an accomplishment. That guy was an animal.
People don't realize that we beat a good Eagles team, and a good Panthers team, and a good Rams team. Those were not inferior opponents. At that time to win by three points was good enough. You don't have to blow out anybody to prove your worth. Blowouts usually indicate lots of things, but among them is the fact that the opponent was not a great team. The Pats have always faced great teams in the SB. This wasn't about the Cowboys facing the Bills who were ready to give up as soon as they fell behind. It's not about the Niners facing a tremendously over-matched Chargers. It wasn't about the Redskins with the best OL and running game in the universe facing a Denver defense that had no clue.
The Patriots earned everything they won by beating great teams. That Panthers team was vastly underrated. They put Mohammed and Smith on the field with a good running game and a QB with balls the size of Manhatten. The Rams were the Rams. What can you say? With any smarts on the sideline they would have beaten us. The Eagles had a talented and well coached team, and a T.O. that was on fire. Brian Westbrook - we shut him down, and that guy is a tremendous talent.
This year may be different. The NFC winner may get smoked like a cheap cigar. I think by the time that game rolls around the NFC team could be ready to suck its thumb. It could be a very non-entertaining game.
Then people will wake up. But they should not need that to wake up. BB is a lot like Red, true, and the organization is well tuned like the old Celtics, true. That is not easy to accomplish.