Tonight is Lakers Vs Celtics.
This rivalry is the reason why a lot of us are into the NBA. One of these teams were always in the Finals in the whole 80s decade. They faced each other three times. It was Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson. It was the blue-collar group against Showtime. It was East Coast against West Coast. White against black. “Boston sucks!” “Beat L.A.”
It was because of these guys that I made basketball my game of choice. Punishing defenses. Great fast-break offense. Hook shots. Outside bombs. Spread-eagle dunks. Chippy attitudes. No-look passes. Fancy footwork. Post-up moves. Clotheslines by Kevin McHale. This is why we love the NBA.
The rivalry was finally renewed when the teams met in last year’s NBA Finals. While the NBA’s make-up is different today, there is still star power. L.A. has Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom. Boston has Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. It’s amazing that these two teams resemble the ones from the 80’s. Lakers still love to run… and Boston still loves to punish people on D.
Last time the Lakers were at the Garden? They were humiliated at the NBA Finals. Boston’s 17th championship banner was raised a few months after.
They did get a small measure of revenge last Christmas. L.A. won the first match-up, 92-83, to halt Boston’s 19-game win streak. But that was in their home floor. Now they’re back and memories from that spanking linger.
PHIL JACKSON: “To be not only beaten, but humiliated, in a game like that to end the series, and have them celebrating and throwing (stuff) all over the court, disrupting the game with 2 1/2 minutes left to go. It was in your face and everybody remembers that. There’s a certain element of, you know, we have some serious work to do.”
Now Boston is waiting for the Lakers to come into their house. They’re on another hot streak, winning their last twelve. To these guys, this just isn’t another regular season game. It’s a lot of pride on the line and if these two teams meet again in the Finals (I’m definitely hoping), there would be a psychological edge for the winner of this game. L.A. wants to sweep the season series to gain that edge. Boston wants to even it up to give Lakers the thought that they have ways to go to catch up to them.
It hurts a little that the Lakers are without Andrew Bynum. But it’s still Lakers Versus Celtics. We know they’re both good. We know they’re both championship teams. The tradition is all there. And that’s all that really matters.
Oh, man. Where is my NBA on NBC hype for this? My buddy, Tony, made this last year before the NBA Finals. This is enough to pump me up.
I can go on and on and on. But let’s just sit back, relax, and enjoy this.
You got this, L.A. Right? RIGHT?!
