An open letter to Danny Ainge.

Dear Danny,

One week ago tonight, the Red Sox clinched the 2013 World Series.  Almost immediately, this "ANOTHER BANNER YEAR" graphic took Boston social media by storm.

Notice how the middle section is almost all green?  It's a nice little reminder of why the pro sports franchises most synonymous with excellence (on this continent, anyways) were, for years: the Montreal Canadiens (blech), the New York Yankees (double blech), and our Boston Celtics.

For three solid decades, we were the bee's knees.

The last two decades, however, have been slightly less impressive.

When Celts fans lambasted Doc Rivers back in September for calling the Lakers "the best franchise in sports history," they largely neglected to note that our West Coast rivals, while still one title behind the C's in an all-time tally, have collected seven rings to our one since 1987.  Like it or not, our reign as the unquestioned Best in Basketball has gradually come to a close.

Now – if it hasn't happened already – our long reign as Best in Boston could, as well.

An open letter to Ron Mercer.

The third and sixth picks of the 1997 NBA Draft.

Dear Ron,

First of all, I hope you agree that we're on a first-name basis now.  In this crazy mixed-up digital world we live in, I think your indulgence of my shameless retweet request last week constitutes a legitimate friendship, bordering on full-out "bromance."  If, however, I've misread this one, I'm still glad to have registered a blip on your social media radar as a Celtic fan who remembers you fondly.

You may have only played 121 games in the green and white, Ron, but I'll never forget game no. 1 when you matched up with MJ and helped upset his 2-time defending champion Bulls on Halloween.  And I'll always wonder whether -- given the proper time and encouragement -- you and Chauncey could have lived up to Coach Pitino's "backcourt of the future" moniker.  We all know how Chauncey eventually became Mr. Big Shot in Motown, and, with your tireless athleticism and stellar mid-range game, I don't see why you couldn't have developed into a (much) more highlight-friendly Rip Hamilton in some alternate universe.

It's not, however, that magical opening night in '97 or your untapped potential alone that have made you so unforgettable to me.  And it's not my ownership of both your home and away no. 5 replica jerseys, either.  There's something more.  And that "something more" also has a lot to do with my love for the 2012 Boston Celtics.