Beat LA! Beat LA! Beat LA! - Again and Again

On June 11, 2004, I wrote a post, Beat LA! Beat LA! Beat LA! As I mentioned, I was in Mendocino during the 1987 NBA Finals. For those too young to remember it was the Celtics vs. Lakers, the last time Boston was in the Finals. I went to a local bar with a friend to watch the game. I commented to a person next to me that we would probably be the only ones there rooting for Boston, he said, “Are you kidding, This is Northern California,” seeming shocked that I would even consider this possibility. “We (dislike) (----ing) LA up here. It’s a different state.”

At that time the Pistons were my surrogate team as the Celtics were long gone and I liked their teamwork over the imported LA individual star power. I was thrilled when they won, see Detroit Shows Teamwork Trumps Individual Talent. I had great respect for the Pistons in this current 2008 series. It was showdown between two teams who emphasize teamwork and they showed respect for each other during the series and at the end. In my post on the Pistons 2004 win, I said that it shows the good guys can win. The NY Times agreed as they wrote in Teamwork Thumps Star Power: "The Detroit Pistons, the essence of teamwork, the essence of grit, manhandled the built-to-win, built-to-gloat Los Angeles Lakers."

Now the Celtics have passed the Pistons to return to the NBA finals for the first time since 1987. The 2008 Celtics were a built-to-win team but they are the opposite of “built to gloat.” They have won on teamwork and their new leader, Kevin Garrett, while being one of the most intense and excitable players ever, does not even known what it means to gloat. His humility and deep respect for the game and teamwork has been woven throughout the team. Every one of their stars willingly gave up individual numbers for team performance. Let’s hope the good guys win again. As I wrote then, this morning a chant builds in the east coast spreading across the heartland to the other north coast. “Beat LA!” "Beat LA!" "Beat LA!"

In the meanwhile, listen to Bill Russell talk with Kevin Garnett, the conversation speaks for itself.

Update - Bill Simmons game four diary - From exasperation to exclamation in 170 minutes - and what the NYT Times said on game four - Celtics’ Rally Puts Title Within Reach

Comments

[Tony Karrer]

It's great to have such a wonderful rivalry back in force. I grew up watching the showtime Lakers playing against Boston and Detroit in the finals year after year. Of course, I wasn't quite old enough to go to a bar at the time. ;)

For your sake, I hope that Ray Allen plays a bit better. IMHO, if he stinks up the finals like he did most of the last two series, Boston is going to be in trouble. If he plays well, the Lakers can't defend KG, Pierce and Allen.

[Bill Ives]

Tony

Thanks for your comment. I agree. The one game Ray played really well we won. He also did a good half in another win. We need his outside threat to balance the drives and post ups of KG and Pierce. If all these guys are playing to their potential and the bench guys do as well as they usually do, it will be too many weapons for LA. We will also have to cover Bryant like we did LeBron but the rest of LA is much better than the Cavs. It will be a tough series for both teams. Bill