While I have mainly focused on the Lakers players and coach throughout much of this argument that doesn’t mean it means any less to the Celtics players. Kevin Garnett played most of his career with a giant asterisk, as many of his critics claimed he couldn’t win. A second championship would put him above all talk of one-year wonder and other ridiculous statements that he just can’t win.
The same arguments goes for 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce. Pierce is looking to cement a legacy of his own, and everybody knows that while one championship is nice, two is that much sweeter. If Pierce is able to bring home another title, especially another against Boston’s hated rival Los Angeles, he will quickly become an immediate Boston legend. Remember, arguably the best Boston player of all time, Larry Bird, only beat Los Angeles once in the Finals before losing to Magic’s showtime squad twice in his career.
There is no question that everything is riding on this series. In a rivalry that began in the 50’s and has become resurrected multiple times throughout history, it is back again. Fans should consider how lucky they are to be witnessing the rebirth of a rivalry that just never seems to go away.
