MIAMICeltics players have no problem extolling on the franchise's longstanding, rich tradition of winning.
But that respect for the past is balanced with the reality of the present.
Having won 17 NBA titles compared to just one for the Miami Heat, won't do the C's any good in Game One of the Eastern Conference finals against a heavily-favored opponent. Boston winning three of the four regular season games won't be a significant factor, either.
But if there is one lesson the C's can take from the past and apply to the present, it's that having a healthy Rajon Rondo provides them with their best chance at getting past the Heat.
Celtics Nation saw how stagnant the Celtics were last season when Rondo suffered a dislocated left elbow injury following a Dwyane Wade take-down while going for a loose ball.
"Last year is in the past," Rondo said. "This year we are a totally different team."
But he's still the same old game-changing Rajon Rondo -- when healthy.
Boston Celtics
In Boston's series-clinching 85-75 win over Philadelphia, Rondo scored 11 of the Celtics' final 14 points. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his ninth playoff triple-double. To put that in perspective, he has tallied them all since 2009. In that span, the rest of the NBA has racked up a combined seven playoff triple-doubles.
As much as Rondo will have to contend with the Heat and the bevy of defenders they are sure to throw his way tonight, he must first find success with himself. Throughout his career, Rondo has often been his worst critic which has at times hurt both his game and the C's chances for success.
"He gets so down on himself (when he makes mistakes)," said C's coach Doc Rivers. "We had a funny exchange once about that. He says, 'Coach, I'm not mad at anybody; I'm mad at myself.' And I said, 'I don't care who you're mad at; you're still mad. And we need you, we need your positive energy.' "
The Celtics saw some of that inner struggle at work in Boston's Game 7 win over the Sixers.
Up until the final 4:16 which the C's had to play without Paul Pierce who had fouled out, Rondo had not really put his imprint on the game.
It didn't take him long -- four minutes, 16 seconds to be precise -- to change that.
"He really fought himself (in Game 7), and won," Rivers said. "That was huge. It was a big step for him."
Rondo's ability to continue taking strides forward in both his play and ability to manage his emotions will be a key in Boston's quest at an upset victory. Here are a few other factors that are likely to come into play as the C's march towards Banner 18 continues.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR -- Even with rosters filled with dynamic scorers, both teams will be hard-pressed to crack the 100-point barrier during this series. Both were among the top teams defensively during the regular season in terms of limiting opponents scoring. In the playoffs, it has been more of the same. Boston is giving up just 83.9 points per game, the fewest of any team in the playoffs this year. Right behind them is Miami, which is giving up just 85.5 points per game.
MATCHUP TO WATCH -- Brandon Bass vs. Shane Battier: This is one of the few head-to-head battles that on paper at least, appears to be a toss-up. Bass has a definite strength advantage over Battier and if you're the Celtics, you'd love for him to take advantage of it. But because he spends so much time -- and with good reason -- looking for his mid-range jumper, there's a good chance that this edge won't be utilized much at all. Battier has proven himself to be a better-than-average NBA defender. But most of his best work has come at defending small forwards who, for the most part, aren't as strong as Bass.
PLAYER TO WATCH -- Ray Allen didn't shoot the ball well against the Sixers, but he delivered a couple of 3-point bombs in the fourth quarter that in typical Ray Allen fashion, came right on time. Look for the Heat to play off Allen some in the game's early moments, just to see if he can pick up where he left off in Game 7, or will he revert back to struggling to knock down open or lightly-contested shots.
STAT TO TRACK -- Miami is one of the highest scoring teams in the playoffs with a 95.5 points per game average which ranks fourth among postseason clubs. For Boston to keep the score more manageable, they have to limit the Heat's point production off turnovers. During the regular season, Miami averaged a league-best 19.7 points off turnovers. They're still at the top of the NBA heap in that category, averaging a league-high 18.9 points per game off turnovers. Meanwhile, the Celtics will try to keep the Heat relatively close to the C's postseason average in points allowed off turnovers, which is 13.8 points which ranks fifth among playoff teams.