Mondays suck... even around here. So we're taking time out on Monday's to make ourselves feel better and rant about something that pisses us off.
Lakers-hatred is embedded in my soul. It was planted there in 1980 and will never escape. You don't recover from Magic Johnson's baby sky-hook in the '87 finals.
Don't mistake the hatred for disrespect. The main reason I despised Magic, Kareem, Worthy and co. were because they were so damn good. While I enjoyed the east coast vs west coast duels, deep down, I wanted the Celtics to play anyone else (i.e. Houston) in the finals because that increased their chances of winning. If that sounds like fear, it was.
That takes me to the 2009-10 Lakers. Granted this team has zero likeability (Magic was an ambassador, always carrying a genuine smile, while Kobe is a fake douche who charges fans to access his web site), they should be feared just the same.Did you see what LA did to Dallas last night? They demolished the Mavs (arguably the 2nd best team in the West) by 35 points. Pau Gasol played just 7 minutes (hamstring).
At 27-6, the Lakers own the best record in the league. Yes, their opening schedule was home-heavy, but they also played 9 games w/o their second best player (Gasol) and currently own an 8-3 road record. Kobe is banging buzzer beaters at a record pace. You want defense? LA is the top rebounding team and second in opponents FG%.
A big part of my "realization" has to do with the current state of the Celtics. KG is an old warrior. This latest injury is described as minor, but whose to say another one won't crop up in the future? Even with a healthy Big 3, I don't like this team's killer instinct. Yes, they beat Cleveland and Orlando on the road, but this flip-the-switch style of play could bite them in the ass in the playoffs.As of January 4, I don't like the Celtics chances against the Lakers. Should the Celtics advance to the finals, deep down, like I did in the 80s, I'm hoping they play against anybody but LA.
Editor's Note: Admission of the Lakers greatness will not prevent me from taking cheap shots at them in the near future.