But Wyc Grousbeck is not a professional athlete. He does not stoop to cliches.

And while it would make for better copy if the managing partner of the Celtics confided that there was a veritable conga line of Boston business leaders, politicians and around-the-town wiseguys who told him Republicans would take over the State House before banner No. 17 would be raised to the Garden rafters, Wyc wants you to know that it just never happened.