Just four months after the New England Patriots’ perfect season came crashing down with a stunning upset loss in the Super Bowl, the Boston Celtics have dealt New England fans an equally painful blow by blowing a seemingly insurmountable 4-2 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

            “I will admit – I thought we had it wrapped up after winning Game 6,” said team leader Paul Pierce. “Goes to show you that you can’t let your guard down, I guess. Ever. But I still can’t believe it happened. I really felt we were the better team.”

            Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said he thinks his team relaxed too much after going through the championship routine of spraying each other with champagne and being presented with the Larry O’Brien Trophy by commissioner David Stern.

            “Stuff like that happens and you think: ‘We did it. We won this,’” said Rivers. “But you never can relax until you get your hands on that trophy. And even sometimes when you actually do get your hands on that trophy, which we did, you can’t relax either. I don’t know – it’s kind of confusing. But that’s why winning a championship is so hard.”

            The Celtics made losing one despite a 4-2 series lead seem easy, however, as the Lakers mounted a furious comeback and won three straight to somehow take the Finals 5-4, with Chris Mihm playing the role of improbable New York Giants hero David Tyree behind a quintuple-double in the decisive and unexpected Game 9.

            As Boston sports fans are left to mourn another championship somehow slipping through their grasp, Celtics star Kevin Garnett says he will do everything in his power to bring a title home next season.

            “We know now what it takes to get it done,” he said. “No matter what they might tell you, four wins isn’t enough. Just like 18-0 wasn’t good enough for the Patriots. They ended up being losers just like we ended up being losers. You have to go the extra mile. You have to be willing to do one better. You even have to be willing to cheat, if necessary. And sometimes that isn’t even enough as the Patriots showed us.”