Celtics vs Lakers game seven: More than just a game for Kobe, Pierce

When discussing the greatest rivalries in sports, some obvious answers come to mind. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Michigan vs Ohio State. North Carolina vs. Duke. Packers vs. Bears. But perhaps one rivalry that is above the rest, if not at least special in its own right, is the bitter hatred between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

As we approach the first NBA Finals game seven between the Lakers and Celtics since 1984, one thing is for certain: Tonights game seven is bound to be a classic.

In 1984, Dick Stockton and Tom Heinsohn were the television announcers. K.C. Jones was coach of the Celtics and Pat Riley coached the Lakers. Larry Bird was the face of the Celtics and Magic Johnson was the face of the Lakers.

In 26 years, so much has changed, but at the same time, so little has changed. While yes, each team has different coaches, a different roster of players, and we are no longer privileged enough to have Dick Stockton calling the game, one thing remains the same: The air suddenly becomes a little thicker whenever the Lakers and Celtics are facing off, due to the tension mostly. While yes, the rivalry isn’t nearly as physical as it once was, don’t think for a second that the mystique between these two teams has changed. Players on both teams will tell you that when these two teams match-up, the atmosphere is a little different. The rivalry between these two teams only makes a game seven in the NBA Finals all the more exciting.

There are hundreds of statistics that point both ways as indicators to which team will win tonights game seven. The Boston Celtics are 7-0 all time in NBA Finals game sevens, including 4-0 against the Lakers. Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson have never been in a game seven. The Celtics starting five of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Garnett-Perkins has never lost a playoff series. But with the recent injury to Perkins in game six, that starting lineup is forced to change for tonights game. The loss of Perkins inside is a huge blow for Boston. Pending Doc Rivers decision, either Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis will step in to play power forward as Kevin Garnett moves to center for tonight.

Some people may look at game seven between the Celtics and Lakers as ‘just a game’, but that is where they are sadly mistaken. Tonights game seven is much more than ‘just a game’. Game seven will determine legacies for players on both teams.

If Los Angeles loses, the doubters will say Kobe could never beat the Celtics when it mattered and he couldn’t get that fifth ring to tie Magic Johnson. Kobes four rings will look like nothing compared to Michael Jordans six rings and Magic Johnsons five rings. However, if the Lakers win, there will be even more talk of Kobe not only being the best Laker ever, but perhaps the best basketball player ever. Kobe Bryant is already commonly recognized as one of the best to ever play the game, but with a win tonight would only further give merit to the argument of Kobe being better than other past greats such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and perhaps even the great Michael Jordan. I’m not saying I would agree with Kobe being the best basketball player ever, because at this point and time, that’s just not true. But a fifth
championship ring would go a long way to supporting #24s case in the MJ vs Kobe debate.

Tonights game seven for the Boston Celtics also goes a long way in determing where Paul Pierce ranks on the list of all time greatest Celtics. A loss tonight would leave Paul Pierce still with only one championship ring, although that lone Finals win did come against the Lakers in 2008. Larry Bird, the greatest player in Boston Celtics history, has three rings. A win tonight for the Celtics would leave Paul Pierce with two rings, and Pierce would come that much closer to narrowing the gap between Bird and himself.

While Bryant (31 years old) and Paul Pierce (32 years old) are still years away from retirement, tonights game seven will have severe implications on each players legacies.

Like it or not, game seven will affect each players legacy. Perhaps that is unfair though. We can almost guarantee that both Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce come to play tonight, and play well. What we cannot guarantee though, is how each players supporting cast plays. Each players supporting cast has been innefective at times during this post-season, and even more so in the Finals. So when it really comes down to it, players like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest will determine Kobes legacy with how they play tonight. On the other hand, players like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo will determine Paul Pierces legacy tonight with how they play. It sounds funny, but it’s true.

Bottom line: Both Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce are among the greatest players of not only this generation, but are also among the greatest players in the history or their respective franchises. The old adage is “It’s just a game.” But it’s funny, because tonights game seven isn’t just a game. It’s more than a game. It’s career defining. It will leave imprints on legacies. It will make history. It will transcend good players to great players. So when you are sitting on your reclining chair tonight, watching game seven unfold in front of your eyes, consider this for a second: Tonights game seven will be talked about ten years from now. Tonights game seven will be talked about twenty years from now. Tonights game seven will be talked about when your children are parents. Tonights game seven is more than just a game, it’s history.