Or at least that's what ESPN and ABC are trying to tell me. The C's pulled off an 88-78 win in Oregon last night, and all I hear about is the "renewal of the great rivalry" between my boys and the Lakers (when did it stop? Did it get postponed and I didn't hear about it?). It's so sad. Especially because we all know the greatest rivalry for the Celts is against the "Blakers." The win against the Blazers was the seventh in the last eight games for the Green Army. Ray Ray scored 18, Paulie finished with 17, Rajon 11, KG and Perk-Daddy got 10 a piece. Portland made just two of their first twelve shots to start the fourth quarter, and it kind of fell apart at that point, as the C's cruised to victory.
So, there's that. There's tonight's game against the Phoenix Suns. And then, and only after all that, the Celtics arrive at Staples Center to tip off against Kobe, Pau, and the Lakers. And yet, all we're hearing about is storylines for the Sunday matinee matchup. I know I may not make me sound like much of a fan, but I'll be missing the game because of how bad I want to watch the NHL All Star game. Priorities, baby.
Sure, I know that it's just media-speak for the players and coaches, but I really feel that this is just another game. Unless we are meeting these jokers in the NBA Finals, it's just one of eighty two. Why should I feel any other way? Am I going to be upset if the Lakers upset us? No, it's a road game, so a loss wouldn't be that big of a deal. In addition, we're facing the Sacramento Kings in the next game, so it's not like a loss to the Lakers would send us into a tail spin-ish losing streak. If we win, all the better, but I'm not going to throw it in the face of Laker fans (well, I probably will) Because when we're facing off in a rematch of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, who the heck is going to care who won the game back on January 30? No one.
I'm willing to accept the fact that the overhype job of ESPN (showing old highlights of previous battles between these two teams every night on Sports Center for the past week) may be killing my passion for this game. And, because that is probably the case, I'm starting to get worried about when the Celtics match up with the Clippers later in the season. I mean, the Celtic/Clipper rivalry game is the basketball game I get the most pumped up for every season. It usually gets no mention in the media as the game nears. However, this year, as has been documented on this very blog, the Clippers are a very trendy and popular story. I'm worried that a Celtic win over the Lakers this Sunday may send ESPN into a, "Is Blake Griffin and the improved Clippers more of a rivalry for the Celtics than the aging and fading Lakers" story line. I can't think of anything worse.
Go ahead, ESPN. Hype this Celtics/Lakers game up until the true fan just doesn't feel like caring anymore because it's become such a "big deal." But please, don't touch my Celtics/Clippers.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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