For a few years the Boston Celtics floated on an enviable ride, overachieving on the floor as they blissfully approached a fork in the road with both paths sunny and inviting to the horizon.
They had a growing roster of rising stars playing alongside some of the greatest free agent signings in team history. And there was this awesome collection of draft picks still ready to use -- the Celtics used to pass out an info sheet at offseason press conferences listing them like a venerable restaurant presenting its wine list.
Plus the franchise had smartly and covertly plucked a remarkable young coach from college, Brad Stevens, who had won a steady stream of praise.