BOSTON — Paul Pierce had not slept in 36 hours, but the Celtics captain was more than ready to greet the tens of thousands of fans who turned out Thursday for the rolling rally celebrating the team’s first NBA championship in 22 years.
“We’re tired of watching these parades on TV. Now we get to enjoy our own,” said Pierce, wearing a championship cap and holding the MVP trophy. “I haven’t had any sleep yet, so now I’m still enjoying it.”
Pierce led the Celtics to the team’s 17th championship, culminating in Boston’s victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6.
A sea of fans in green lined the streets of the city Thursday, from the TD Banknorth Garden to Copley Plaza, to pay tribute to the Celtics as they rolled through town on 16 World War II-era amphibious vehicles.
Michael Shaughnessy took off work to bring his 4-year-old grandson, Gavin Carter, to the parade. He said he was proud of how the Celtics played in their championship run — not just that they won.
“They’re unselfish and willing to sacrifice and, as a result, they won,” he said.
Finals games rate high.
The NBA Finals games were the six highest-rated and most-watched programs so far in June, the first time that has happened in seven years.
Boston’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers averaged a 9.3 rating for the series, up 50 percent over the 6.2 for San Antonio’s sweep of Cleveland last year. The Celtics’ Game 6 clincher Tuesday earned a 10.7 rating on ABC, averaging 16.9 million viewers over the course of the game.
Game 5, two nights earlier, averaged 17.4 million viewers.
Sonics trial: Economist takes stand.
The Seattle SuperSonics support 1,200 to 1,300 jobs and are responsible for nearly $188 million in local economic activity, an expert testified in a federal trial over the team’s lease at KeyArena.
And, he said, you can’t assume that impact will be replaced if the team leaves town.
“Once a dollar is spent, it’s multiplied many times over by the goods and services it purchases in that economy,” said Lon S. Hatamiya, a former Clinton administration official testifying as an economic expert for the city.
Thursday marked the fourth day of the nonjury trial to determine whether the team must honor the final two years of its lease at KeyArena.
The Associated Press
