Backgrounder

The Boston Celtics completed their 2009-2010 regular season against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 24. Their overall record was 54-32, which comes out to a win percentage of about 60 percent.

The Celtics started out strong this season, winning eight of their first 10 games. Beginning on November 22 to December 14, the Celtics won 11 games straight. After the All-Star Break in the middle of February, the C’s did very well, but were less consistent. In March they recorded their most wins, but also played more games than any other month.

During the 2009-2008 season, the Celtics finished at 62-20. In the playoffs, they beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round but lost to the Orlando Magic in the second round. The year before that (the 2007-2008 season), they boasted the best record in all of the NBA, going 66-16. The Big Three – Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen – led the team to a national championship that year. They had not won for 22 years until that point.

This year, the Celtics are currently in the postseason yet again, fresh off of a Game 2 win in the second round versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. They won Round 1 against the Miami Heat, led by Dwayne Wade, by a margin of 4-1. They now face the Cavs in the semifinals, and are 1-1 in the series at the time of publication.

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College students speak out

College students, known for being an especially liberal fraction of the U.S. population, are eager to voice their opinions about the current political climate in Massachusetts. After several unsuccessful attempts at contacting the Boston University College Republicans and the Boston University College Democrats, I decided to interview five young people between the ages of 20 and 25. Here are their thoughts:

Steve I.

“It most significantly affected the radical healthcare bill. His election showed an example of the structure of our government successfully allowing for radical laws to only be passed after more than a majority of legislatures agree that it would be best for our country. Clearly we as a country are not ready for the radical bills that Obama secretly and discreetly tries to shove down our throats. This is best described by one of the most liberal states voting in Scott Brown, a Republican. Even though health care needs to be adjusted in our country, his election takes the pressure and forceful impulse, created by liberal American press and Obama, to pass a bill immediately. We have an issue in the U.S. in regard to healthcare but it needs to be carefully planned out and analyzed, not rushed through legislature without them fully agreeing it is good for all citizens of the U.S.”

Emily F.

“I believe this was a huge wake up call for both liberals and Republicans. I think once Obama won and it essentially became ‘Obama Nation’, liberals became overconfident and cocky, and Republicans retreated with defeat. I think the liberals saw Coakley as an automatic win especially with it being in Massachusetts, but I think a lot of liberals have become fed up with Obama and all of his broken promises. Coakley was a terrible candidate and I think liberals saw this and either didn't vote or went for Brown. I think this was a huge win for Republicans (whether Brown is really that great or not). The Republicans needed this confidence boost and a bit more power to wake up and start making changes in the Senate and what bills are getting passed. I don't think this election will change Mass much, but I think it will make Liberals rethink their candidates and realize these ‘liberal states’ aren't always an easy win.”

Nicole D.

“He did a really good job before, so I think he'll make a good senator. I think he'll help provide a different perspective especially because Massachusetts is such a liberal state.”

Celeste C.

“I’m shocked it happened just considering Massachusetts is such a liberal state, but I think it shows progress in that politics are no longer rooted in two, separate, unrelated parties. Now, there is a lot more crossing over it seems, where liberals are voting for conservatives and vice versa, depending on the state of the country at the time of the election.

Brian T.

“I believe that the election of Scott Brown to the Massachusetts state senate is an important change to the political atmosphere in Massachusetts. Being a predominantly liberal state for many years, it demonstrates the importance of voting for not necessarily a party, but a belief system. It showed to Americans that the citizens of Massachusetts were unhappy with the way things were going, and the election of Scott Brown showed that they wanted a change. It also showed Americans' disgruntled view towards President Obama's healthcare bill.”

The people have spoken

A rare, interesting look at regular Bostonians speaking out against the liberalism that has reigned supreme in Massachusetts for a long time. It is obvious from the video that a lot of people are searching for change. The footage looks like it was taken on New Years Day outside of Fenway Park during the Winter Classic, featuring the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers, so this is before the January 19 election.

How are columnists reacting?

Several Globe columnists shared their thoughts on Brown's win. There are two separate videos. Find out what columnists think of the failed Democratic campaign and what they anticipate for the future.