Not that we would ever want to miss them, of course. Ties to that era have been so prevalent during this NBA playoff season that I’m not sure I would be surprised if Eddie House or James Posey or, hell, even Sam Cassell emerged from deep on the Warriors or Cavs benches to steal a game or a moment before the Finals are complete. They may be dispersed around the NBA now, they’re still right there in front of us. There were so many beloved expatriated Celtics from the New Big Three era - that invigorating stretch from 2007-12 in which Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen united and reignited Celtic Pride while introducing New England basketball fans to the concept of Ubuntu - that we could not miss them if we wanted to. After hearing boos at the Garden, Perk hit us with a truth that packed a similar wallop: “Yeah, that was surprising,’’ said Perk, “but I know they still love me.’’ But he did make a memorable cameo against his former team, checking in to Game 4 just long enough to steamroll Jae Crowder with a pick so vicious that it is illegal in most states. His role in the playoffs has mostly been to keep the Cavaliers bench weighted down in the middle, the fulcrum among the scrubs. We cannot forget Kendrick Perkins, either. Photos: The glory years of the New Big Three era But while there were no new KG highlights this postseason, at least there were delightful stories and revelations to be found. It was strange not having one of the great competitors of his generation around when the games matter most. Kevin Garnett? Well, he was not a participant in the postseason - having returned to Minnesota - where it all began and where it is beginning again. Tony Allen talked some hilarious smack at the Warriors, and his tough Grizzlies even gave the Splash Brothers and their sweet-shooting friends a temporary scare. Doc Rivers guided his Clippers to an epic Game 7-takedown of the defending champion Spurs, then watched without a solution as his Clippers collapsed into themselves when confronted with the powers of James Harden’s beard. In Dallas, injured and/or insubordinate Rajon Rondo was sent to exile, a sad and stubborn end to his reputation as a playoff monster. There was Paul Pierce, still looking so weird in that Wizards jersey, burying buzzer-beater and almost-buzzer-beaters in a near-upset of the Hawks. But as the postseason played on without them, reminders of the franchise’s recent past glories were stirred in virtually every series. It was more of a pit stop, honestly, though there’s no shame in losing to the Cleveland LeBrons in such a manner. The Celtics’ playoff journey ended just four games after it began this year.
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