I just want to clarify something. Well, first let me start by saying that I consider myself a scholar of sports history, especially when it comes to the legendary moments of my favorite teams. And as such, I am delusional enough to believe the events that happened before my birth are deeply ingrained in my memory. I somehow convince myself that even if it's not humanly impossible, I was there. I remember. These moments are a part of me.
When Cornbread Maxwell stole the ball from Magic Johnson with one minute left in Game 7 of the '84 Finals, taking it coast to coast to finish off the Lakers and win the Celtics' second title of the Bird era, I was ecstatic. When Magic dropped a triple-double on the Celtics in Game 6 the following year and the Lakers celebrated on the Garden parquet, I was crushed. When the injury-plagued 1986-87 Celtics didn't quite have what it took and Kareem and Worthy walked all over them to win the '87 Finals in six, ending the 1980s Celtics dynasty, I was devastated.
Yeah, I was born in 1986. But that's not the point. I've recreated my own memory, using all the books and interviews and YouTube videos I can find. I've made it so that all these events I never witnessed are now a part of my past forever. Because honestly, sports are just so much more fun when you can appreciate their history.
When this generation's Celtics reached their first Finals, beating the Pistons 89-81 on May 30 to win the East finals in six and save the date for a long-awaited Lakers rematch, I knew exactly what to do. I woke up early on the morning of the 31st, and I went online to find myself a new "Beat L.A." T-shirt.
It may seem like a trivial need, but those who know me know my unhealthy passion for collecting T-shirts, and this one came with special significance. This was my chance to experience history, just as the past generation did. To me, this was everything.
Of course, there was a flood of orders at Adidas that day, and mine got backlogged to the point where my shirt didn't arrive for three weeks. So when I finally wore it out in public, well after the Celtics had already beaten the Lakers in six, the reaction I got from a friend was a predictable "Uhh? dude. The Finals are over."
This brings me to the epiphany I had this summer.
"Beat L.A" is not an ephemeral thing. It's not an annual motto, one that exists in a vacuum in June of '84 or '85 or '87, or 2008.
"Beat L.A" is a state of mind. It's a way of life; it comes and never goes. It's as true in November as it is in June. It represents a rivalry between two constantly championship-minded teams, a rivalry that will never die. And when those teams are without exception the two best in the NBA (as right now, you had better believe they are), it's especially pertinent.
Isn't this why we love sports? Because the competitive spirit never dies? Because our eyes are perpetually on the ultimate prize? Isn't rivalry what makes the games all the more compelling?
I think so. And even though we're only one game into the new season, I've already got that competitive spirit raging through me.
Win number one was a good one. The Celtics downed Cleveland last night, 90-85, winning the only way they knew how -- with a balanced team effort, a methodical offense, and shut-down defense down the stretch. That's the beauty of this team -- it wins the same way in October that it does in June. At times like these, you can't help but fantasize about the next parade embarking down Causeway Street. So if you see me walking down the street in a bright green T-shirt that seems a bit out of season, please forgive me. I have my reasons.
I just wanted to clear that up, just in case anyone was wondering.
Enjoy the season.
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