In game five of the playoffs, I remembered why I was avoiding watching the Celtics play the Lakers in the finals: I’m horribly competitive. Emphasis on horribly. When it comes to watching professional sports I seem to have an alter ego (or at least I hope it’s an alter to my ego). I hate opponents irrationally, single out certain players and wish them ill, and twist my stomach in knots when we’re losing or have lost. People have asked me if I actually enjoy watching professional sports, and I defensively say yes, though in reality I’m not so sure.

The converse to this, of course, is the elation that comes with winning. The buoyancy it gives my step, and the sweetness it sprinkles life. Winning is all it’s cracked up to be; if only it could happen all the time. Oh, wait, but as a Boston fan, it does.

Thanks, 2007-2008 Celtics, for reviving the team: