Three Game Streak

That's how many consecutive columns Shank has written after a Celtics loss.

Celtics rookie Tommy Heinsohn scored 37 points with 23 rebounds before fouling out in double overtime of a Game 7 championship win. John Havlicek stole the ball in Game 7. Boston fans chanted “Beat LA” in Game 7. Cedric Maxwell said, “Hop on my back, boys,’’ in Game 7. Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins had their famous shootout in Game 7. The final game of Bird’s career was a Game 7. And young LeBron James once scored 45 points in a Game 7 loss at the New Garden.

Bill Russell played in 10 Game 7s and won ’em all.

“That’s, I guess, when legends are born,’’ guard Isaiah Thomas said Friday after the Celtics’ Game 6 loss in Washington.

Later in the column, Shank mounts his high horse Shetland pony and blasts the Celtics players for showing up for Friday's game in Washington wearing all black. I suppose that's better fashion sense than Shank ever had.