Ray Allen turned to Kevin Garnett next to him on the bench and marveled. Celtics coach Doc Rivers brought up the moment, unprompted, in his postgame news conference.
"They understand the situation," Allen said. "Letting us know, 'Hey, this is still well and alive.'"
It was partly that. Game 7 is up Saturday, the second Game 7 of these playoffs for the Celtics, and the journey is not yet over. The chant was as much about encouragement as anything else as Boston tries to vanquish the widely despised Heat.
The chant was more than an inspirational send-off, though. There was an element of appreciation for what the fans had seen in the last five years and might never see again: Pierce, Allen and Garnett, together in Celtics uniforms leading the team deep into the postseason. Deep down, many of the fans who stubbornly stayed on to the end had to understand that, and strove to make those players' final experience in the Garden a moment they could not forget.
"I'm truly blessed to be a Celtic," Garnett said, "and to be a part of the city of Boston."
If Thursday ends up being the last time Garnett is a part of the city, at least as a player, it was not a bad way to go out. Surely, he would prefer to go out dancing to Gino and American Bandstand, but the house only plays Garnett's favorite video in blowout wins for the Celtics.
Garnett could always get a recording of the video and rock out to the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing" whenever he likes, but it is unlikely he would be able to bottle the emotion he felt in the final three minutes of Game 6, when "The Jungle" gave him and the Celtics a parting gift they will never forget.
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