Instant Analysis: Game 6

Players, fans and the media love to “brand” teams with a catch-phrase themes and signature slogans as they form identities.

Maybe it’s a fun-loving player like Kevin Millar, who coined “Cowboy Up” in 2003. Or the faith-driven Curt Schilling that rebounded with “Why Not Us” in 2004. And when the pursuit of perfection gained momentum, Bill Belichick fed his 2007 Patriots with “Humble Pie.” Those three identities set the precedent in Boston sports success between the Red Sox and Patriots since the turn of the century — uncharted territory in terms of a single sports town.

And what more deserving than a passionate city that starved for over 20 years without a championship — the last parade coming with the 1986 Celtics — with five rings between the Sox and Pats.

But now, with a new generation of New England sports fans, it was the Boston Celtics that regained the spotlight of a championship-rich city — capturing the tradition that our father and grandfathers grew up with.

General Manager Danny Ainge mixed two glamorous high profile trades with unsung young talent. “The Big Three” emerged when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce — instantly putting Boston in contention of a 17th title.

But how would the chemistry mix between all three? Who would form the identity? Out of all three, who would emerge as the face of the Celtics? Would Doc Rivers keep all three egos in check?

Three wasn’t the number. Try fifteen — all together in Rivers’ proclaimed ubuntu: a sub-Saharan African ethic or humanist ideology focusing on people’s allegiances and relations with each other.

Ubuntu.

They played the game together, the way basketball was meant to be played. It was the Rajon Rando, who served as the offensive general as a second-year player, and fulfilled the quickness and defense that a point guard of a championship team requires.

It was the Kendrick Perkins, muscling out rebounds down low, overlooked as the real Big Man as the Celtics center and anchor.

It was the James Posey, lighting up the three-point line as a quiet-yet-deadly defender.

It was the P.J. Brown, using his experience and consistent jump shot to provide depth down low.

It was the Leon Powe, playing out-of-his-mind in the Finals, shocking Phil Jackson and the rest of the nation, furthermore adding depth to the roster and deferring the pressure from the “Big Three.”

It was the Eddie House, stepping up and forcing the Lakers to play defense at the point and sparking the bench with verbal intensity.

It was the Tony Allen, not playing one minute in the past two playoff series, until Rivers gave him the opportunity to post an incredible contribution in Game 5.

It was the Sam Cassell, shedding no fear when Rivers gave him the opportunity to head an offense in the NBA Finals.

No fear — what ubuntu brought to a renewed Boston Celtics pride in the 21st century.

(Boston Globe Photos)