With the Dallas Mavericks in town to take on the Celtics, fans will get to see more than 110,000 total career points take the floor as five of the top seven players on the active scoring list suit up. Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Vince Carter occupy spots 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 on the active scoring list (Kobe Bryant is 1, Tim Duncan is 5).
But this quirk of history is just one part of this game. As I wrote on Crossover Chronicles, despite their current struggles, these two teams could match up again down the road.
Write either of these teams off at your own peril. Early season struggles mean nothing. Sure, the other teams I mentioned are younger, faster, and stronger. But these players are no slouches themselves. And they always, still, find a way to get the job done. So don't just watch tonight's game as a quirk of history on display in one place. Watch it as a younger warrior watches his sensei who, despite lacking the same speed and reflexes as he once had, still possesses a knowledge and feel for the craft that can only be acquired through time and battle. Yes, at some point all masters must be defeated… but I'll never bet against them until I see it happen.
I'll file it under the same reason you don't fight your dad. You never know what tricks he'll have up his sleeve.
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