Sports Redux: Celtic Pride!

The Celtics lost their 17th straight game. On the bright side, Paul Pierce was back on the court. On the downside, it didn't help. They lost 92 to 78. It would have been okay if the game were somewhat close, as many of the Celtics' losses have been, but this should have been closer.

The Globe's Peter May called the game a "stinkbomb" and noted that the Celtics are now No. 30 because the Memphis Grizzlies beat the T-Wolves.

Now, there's been discussion of the Celtics losing so they can get the next hot draft pick. If that is the case, then the supposed mastermind who is instructing them to lose so flagrantly is an idiot. Who wants to gamble on the next youthful hotshot to save them? That seems sad.

Okay, there's the economic element of selling more tickets because everyone wants to see the next NBA hotshot, but is Boston, with its tremendous sports loyalties, really that kind of town? And should the Celtics be that kind of franchise? The Celtics aren't like the Warriors, where losing is built into their charm. The Celtics have been winners, and they should try to be winners.

Maybe Pierce will get back his mojo. With that weird elbow problem and such a long time on the bench, it's no surprise that he's shooting bricks. But the burden is now on him to break that streak.

Image of Celtic Pride from Amazon. Bostonist doesn't advocate kidnapping members of other teams so the Celtics can win. But the title seems appropriate right about now.