Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The 1985-86 Celtics certainly fit that description, winning 67 games in the regular season and going 15-3 in the playoffs (the first round was best-of-five back then) for the franchise’s 16th championship. Bird and friends had defeated the Lakers for the ’84 title and lost to them in ’85. Then they added Bill Walton and Jerry Sichting to a core of Bird, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge and Scott Wedman.
“They were right in the midst of their dynastic run as a team,” Riley said. “They were right in the middle of it, as the Lakers were, and we were both trying to find that ultimate identity of being the best in the world by basically measuring them as a standard and we as a standard.
“It’s really the greatest rivalry in the history of basketball, Celtics-Lakers, and I think it was derived more so in the ’60s when Jerry (West) went down six times to the Celtics in their incredible run. But every spring, it seemed like it was Lakers-Celtics, so that’s what really planted the seed of what a great rivalry could be about.”
Herald – Pat Riley relishes memory of Lakers-Celtics ’80s rivalry
For Celtics fans, the ’80s were the best of times (three Celtics banners) and the worst of times (five Lakers titles). The rivalry, with the Bird-Magic subplot, has been well-documented and credited with rescuing the NBA from its 1970s doldrums. You have to wonder, how many rings would either team have won if they’d played in separate eras?
Today’s players and coaches would say the past doesn’t matter. It’s history, it can’t be changed. All that’s important is tonight’s next chapter between the 18-13 Celtics and the 5-27 Lakers. The Celts are looking to extend a four-game winning streak and it will be simply unacceptable if they allow a terrible L.A. team to come into the Garden and end that run.
The Lakers have the league’s worst defensive rating, allowing 108.9 points per 100 possessions. They’re being outscored by 11.1 points per game, second worst only to the Sixers. Boston must avoid playing down to L.A.’s level. The Cs should pretend they’re facing Golden State and bring the intensity. There can be nothing less. Because it’s still Celtics-Lakers.
P.S. As Riley noted, Jerry West was 0-6 in Finals vs. Boston. “Mr. Clutch.”
P.P.S. Just a reminder, Celtics are 9-3 in Finals series vs. the Lakers.
On Page 2: Going to tonight’s game? You have one job.
Bryant told reporters that his family will be accompanying him for Wednesday night’s game — their first trip to Boston.
But they likely won’t see any tributes to Kobe playing on the Jumbotron, as Celtics president Danny Ainge told Toucher & Rich a few months ago the team probably won’t be honoring a guy who won five rings while wearing yellow and purple. But Celtics players think their fans will send Bryant off the same way many other fan bases have throughout his farewell tour.
“I’m pretty sure everybody will be applauding for Kobe when he’s in the building tomorrow, even security,” said Avery Bradley said.
CBS Boston – Celtics Fondly Look Back at Kobe’s Career Ahead of Final Boston Visit
Tonight’s the big event, the opportunity to say thanks to the guy we all know and love. Welcome back, Brandon Bass!
Of course it’s also the final Boston appearance of Kobe Bryant. So what? Chuck wrote yesterday about all the on-court and off-court reasons we hate Bryant. In a league that has featured a-holes such as Wilt, Rick Barry, Kareem, Laimbeer, Rodman, DWade and Sasha Vujacic, Kobe might be the most despised of all. And he knows it, going so far as to trademark a “hero/villain” logo and sell merchandise for his calculated, attention-seeking farewell tour.
Yes, I respect Bryant’s talent; he’s one of the greatest ever. But I don’t admire his hero-ball game. When has anyone said Kobe makes his teammates better? (Hint: never.) I’ve already weighed in on Kobe’s career – no better than Pierce (I said it, and don’t try to take away my green-tinted glasses).
Then there’s this photo. Not quite as bad as this one, but bad.
So here’s a call to all Celtics fans who will be at the Garden tonight. Go ahead and give him a standing O, but there must be no pro-Kobe cheering. AND ABSOLUTELY NO “MVP” CHANTS. This incident was one of the worst moments in Celtics history. I’ve never believed it was perpetrated by Boston fans; more likely it was L.A. fans who’d invaded the building. But it cannot be allowed tonight.
If anyone tries to chant “MVP” for Kobe Bryant, your duty as a Celtics fan is to drown that out. The videos below contain your only acceptable responses. YOU’RE REPRESENTING CELTICS NATION – DO NOT FAIL US!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5_JBVxx_ig] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GRFYDWsI9U]And, finally: To be fair, Kobe is not the worst shooter. LeBron is.
LeBron James is the worst shooter in the NBA. https://t.co/5xrUqb2TbH pic.twitter.com/t0yzcmBBkv
— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) December 29, 2015
After bashing Kobe above, let’s cut him some slack here. Per NBA.com advanced stats writer John Schuhmann, LeBron James is shooting an NBA-worst 28.5% outside the paint this season. Thank you, analytics.
The Rest of the Links:
Herald – Celtics Notebook: Olynyk swings into rhythm | Celtics Notebook: Sights set on No. 5, not No. 24
ESPN Boston – Evan Turner heard horror stories, but Kobe Bryant killed him with kindness | Brad Stevens: Brandon Bass ‘helped get this thing going in the right direction’
Globe – Dave Cowens disputes Kobe Bryant’s memory of draft trade | Kobe Bryant’s Boston farewell brings Isaiah Thomas’s father to town
MassLive – Brandon Bass still holds respect of Boston Celtics | Celtics notes: Marcus Smart could play a bit more against Lakers, Brad Stevens not thrilled with offense
CSNNE – Celtics focused on winning with idol Kobe in town
Providence Journal – After last season’s roster teardown, Celtics building strong foundation
NBA.com – Kobe should get mixed reception in Boston finale
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