SHELDON LONGLEY, NG Sports Editor, slongley@nasguard.com

Being one of the few remaining Celtics fans in Nassau, I was asked on Saturday if I was worried heading into Sunday - with the top seeded Celtics just one loss away from what would have been one of the greatest upsets in NBA playoff history! I answered directly, and truthfully I might add - not in the slightest.

It was not an accustomed confident swagger of a braggadocios Boston fan which led me to that answer, but a realization that sports in general is all about the thrill of victory, and of course, the agony of defeat. You see, as diehard Celtics fans, we (the few of us left in Nassau) had no choice but to deal with pain and suffering for the past 20 years. Even at times when we experienced success, it came with sudden tragedy. For example, during the 1985-86 season, Larry Bird had his best year of his career enroute to winning his third consecutive MVP award, and leading the Celtics to their third NBA title in the eighties. The Celtics also obtained the number two pick by way of a trade with the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Draft, and used it to select former Maryland star Len Bias. However, Bias never played a game in the NBA because he overdosed on cocaine.

Mired in a 20-year slump, most Celtics' fans often referred to that unfortunate demise as the turning point of the franchise. They termed it a curse on the Celtics, similar to the curse of the Bambino which tormented the Red Sox for years. After the '86 season, the Celtics began to decline drastically, making the NBA finals only once ('87), the Conference finals twice ('88 and '02), and the playoffs just 11 times in 21 years. Included in that, was their longest playoff drought in franchise history (six years from 1996 to 2001). The Celtics would be struck by tragedy yet again following the 1992-93 season. All-star guard and leading scoring Reggie Lewis fainted during a playoff game because of a heart condition.

He was later cleared to play but died in the off-season.

So, in reality, Celtics fans have become quite accustomed to losing more than just games over the past 20 years. Of course, a setback to the 37-win Atlanta Hawks this year would have been painful, but I was willing to accept it had the Celtics lost, and I'm sure all Celtics fans would have been able to move on.

The good thing about the playoffs, is now those three losses to Atlanta don't count. All eight teams remaining start on an even keel as the Conference semifinals get underway, and may I remind my Laker fans, a possible Celtics-Lakers final still looms, so don't start bashing the Celtics just yet.

As for yesterday's slaughtering of the Hawks, by midway through the third quarter, the game for all practical purposes, was already over. Whereas Celtics fans could finally breathe a sigh of relief, there are no celebration plans soon as LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers come to town today for game one tomorrow night.

I honestly never thought the Celtics were in any serious danger in their first round series though. Like everyone, I was shocked when they were pushed to the limit, but Atlanta still needed to win in Boston to get to the second round, which was something they hadn't come close to doing in games one and two, and again in game five. The same thing for LeBron and the Cavs - the defending Eastern Conference Champions have to win in Boston if they want to move onto the next round. As a matter of fact, the Celtics will win their 17th NBA title this year if they are not beaten at home - that's something they earned with a league-leading 66 wins during the regular season. Their 42-game improvement this year was the biggest single season turnaround in league history, earning them home court advantage throughout the playoffs. For that reason alone, 'Beantown' (slang for the city of Boston), is buzzing with excitement again, as everyone know the road to the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy will most likely travel through Boston.

'The Big Three' (so they're called) of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, have an opportunity to do something special this year - win an NBA title. Many Boston legends such as Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Kevin McHale, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and Robert Parish have already sealed their places in Springfield, Massachusetts (Basketball Hall of Fame) by winning their NBA titles. Despite being the only team to be pushed to seven games in the opening round of the playoffs this year, Garnett, Pierce and Allen, and the rest of the Celtics are still in contention to win their title. It certainly isn't going to be an easy road, but like a surprising first round battle against Atlanta, long-suffering Celtics' fans are welcoming the challenge.

Conference semifinals predictions

Boston vs. Cleveland

Boston in six

Detroit vs. Orlando

Detroit in six

L.A. Lakers vs. Utah

L.A. Lakers in seven

New Orleans vs. San Antonio

San Antonio in six