Lakers-Celtics: What Rivalry?

The Yankees and Bosox, the Dodgers and Giants, the Eagles and Cowboys, the Pats and Colts. Those are true rivalries. The Lakers and Celtics are not a rivalry. They were a rivalry in the long ago past. But the Celtics have not been a relevant NBA contender in over two decades.

So, here is David Stern shoving something that he, himself, has dreamed up down the media’s voracious throats to gobble up and spit out across the internet and ESPN.

If you are looking for a rivalry, you just missed one. Last week. The Lakers and the Spurs. Also, a couple of weeks ago, the Spurs and the Suns. These are current NBA rivalries.

Pick any of the eight teams that played in the Western Conference Playoffs. Put any two of them together, and you have a rivalry. You can even add Golden State and Sacramento to that list. But the Lakers and Celtics are not a rivalry, despite what David Stern would like you to believe. That is, not yet.

For the two teams to become a bonafide rivalry, one thing needs to happen. Repetition. The Lakers and Celtics would both have to make it back to the Finals either next year or the year after.

For the Lakers, that is quite possible. Regardless of whether they win this year or not, they are bound to be in the thick of things next year.

Why?

Three main factors. Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, and Youth. Bryant is in his prime. Right now he is the best player in the world. Jackson arguably is the best coach in the NBA if not in the world. And I have two words to back up that statement. Adjustments and rotation.

No other coach in the NBA is a master of these two aspects of the game like the Zen Master. And add in assistant coach Tex Winter, the author of the triangle offense, just for good measure.

Finally, youth. Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Rony Turiaf, Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum. Add those names to veteran names like Lamar Odom, Luke Walton and Vlad Ramanovic, and you have a pretty strong formula for continued success in the NBA.

I know Boston fans are in love with their Celtics. And why not? The Celtics have been down so long in the NBA, their fans have to be ecstatic at the team’s turnaround this year. But is it really a true Celtics team or simply a rent-a-team that Executive of the Year, Danny Ainge, managed to throw together?

And will they stay together and remain a force?

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen may have a couple more good years left. Paul Pierce may have a few more. And then there are Eddie House, James Posey and newcomer, Sam Cassell, all well into their thirties.

What about Doc Rivers? Even the Boston fans and media have not been too kind to him this year. Are there barbs over how he handles rotations and adjustments warranted? If there are, don’t expect the Celtics to repeat.

And one more thing about David Stern and his dream matchup.

Why couldn’t he have started the Finals last night instead of tomorrow night? Whoever wins Game 1 will do so by default.

Stern supposedly gave us the Finals to die for, and here he sends two stale teams out on the court.

Neither one of those teams needed a week-long rest. Both teams were playing at their peaks. Five days off is long enough.

What you will see tomorrow night will NOT be good basketball. What you will see tomorrow night will be turnovers, missed shots, and a ton of fouls.

There will not be a winner in Game 1, only a survivor.

Thanks again, Commish, for nada.