Magic-Bird, Lakers-Celtics rivalry, part 2

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird teamed up with reporter Jackie MacMullan for a new book, "When the Game Was Ours."

One passage talks about the 1985 NBA Finals when the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics for the title in Game 6, after having lost to them in the Finals eight previous times, including in 1984. It was a particularly sweet win for the Lakers and Magic Johnson because they won the title in the Boston Garden.

Here's an excerpt:

The aura of [Red] Auerbach's cigars, the booby-trapped parquet, and the plethora of championship banners was not quite so daunting the second time around. [Lakers Coach Pat] Riley ordered high-powered fans to cool off the [Boston Garden] locker room in case another heat wave settled into the visitor's area....

"Magic's purpose was written all over his face in Game 6," Riley said. "It was 'Atone for 1984.' It was life or death for him."...

[After winning the title] In the cluttered visitors' locker room, the Lakers gathered in a circle and chanted "LA! LA!" in unison. Their owner, Jerry Buss, accepted the championship trophy from David Stern and declared, "This has removed the most odious sentence in the English language. It can never again be said the Lakers have not beaten the Celtics."

--Barry Stavro

Photo: Magic Johnson scores over Larry Bird and Kevin McHale in the 1985 NBA Finals. Photo credit: Los Angeles Times.

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on the Lakers-Celtics rivalry

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, former rivals turned friends, collaborated with basketball reporter Jackie MacMullan and wrote a book, published this week, titled "When the Game was Ours."

Of all the Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals, one of the most legendary, and for Lakers' fans one of the most bitter, was in 1984 when the Lakers outplayed the Celtics in the first four games, but blew two of them, and ultimately lost the seventh game and the championship at the Boston Garden.

That spring, Celtics fans tried to intimidate the Lakers when they flew into Boston. Back then, NBA teams flew on commercial flights, not charter planes:

When the Lakers landed at Logan Airport ... they waited nearly an hour for their bags, emblazoned with the purple-and-gold Lakers emblem. When the luggage finally appeared on the conveyor belt, many of them were unzipped. Nothing was missing, according to Magic, "but the message was clear. It was just Boston's way of letting us know we shouldn't get comfortable here."

... [After getting hounded by Celtics fans at the airport, Johnson] was relieved to finally reach the team bus -- until he noticed the driver was wearing a Celtics shirt. When he stepped up to the counter at the team hotel to check in, the manager who assisted him also proudly wore Celtics colors.

"Even the curtains in my room were green," Magic said.

 

Lakers parade: The party continues

From the Coliseum:

Kobe Bryant leaped onto the Lakers' court that stood as the stage for their NBA Championship celebration. Derek Fisher held the 2009 championship trophy aloft, which drew a loud ovation. As all the Lakers walked onto the court, waving to fans, the crowd erupted.

The Lakers assistant coaches were introduced. First it was assistant Jim Cleamons, then Frank Hamblen and then Kurt Rambis, who was given a loud ovation. Next up was Brian Shaw, who was introduced as a Laker who was on the three NBA titles earlier this decade, and he was given a loud ovation as well.

When Magic Johnson was introduced, the fans began to chant "Magic. Magic. Magic." That forced Johnson to come out and take a bow.

-- Broderick Turner

Photo: Kobe Bryant, center, along with his family and Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, left, wave to fans while riding on top of a double-decker bus during the Lakers' championship parade on Wednesday. Credit: Mark Boster/ Los Angeles Times

Ted Green: How does Kobe Bryant rank among NBA greats?

 

Ring No. 4 for Kobe Bryant has inevitably set off a small firestorm of debate and spirited conversation about where the Lakers' star falls in the pantheon of NBA greats. For some odd reason, in 35 years of covering the league, I have never before posted my own best-ever list, leaving it to others with less to do. So by popular demand, or just because, here it is, the top 10 NBA greats ever, broken into two groups, pre- and post- Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Modern NBA (Post Magic-Bird)

1. Michael Jordan. Julius Erving may have been The Doctor, but it was MJ who operated with the skill and precision of a preternaturally gifted surgeon. The argument, however passionate, that Kobe is the crazier baller with the madder skills is a good one, and not wrong, either, but it doesn't quite hold up against Michael's extraordinary body of work. Six MVP awards, six NBA Finals MVP awards, six championships, undefeated in the NBA Finals and five scoring titles.

Until Kobe gets to seven, if he does, his Airness is still the measuring stick against whom everyone else will and should be compared.  The fact that We Liked Mike but don't always know how to feel about the more polarizing Kobe did not in any way enter into this decision.

2. Magic Johnson. The greatest team player. More impact on each 48-minute contest, possession to possession, than anyone who ever lived, and maybe the greatest teammate, too. Five titles, four Finals MVP awards, nine trips to the Finals, and all he did in his spare time was revolutionize the point guard position and save the NBA from itself.

3. Kobe Bryant. If his friend Shaq won't mind the ripoff here, the MTE, Most Talented Ever. And now his own extensive resume is looking more polished, with his fourth ring, first Finals MVP (a legit and important award) and finally a championship to call his very own.

4. Larry Bird. Freakiest white dude who ever laced 'em up. Three titles, three Finals MVP awards, might have won five himself if Magic hadn't been in his way. And by the way, his performances winning those three-point contests during All-Star weekend proved that big guys could shoot like that ... or at least Larry Legend could.

5 (tie). Tim Duncan. Karl Malone scored more points and had bigger muscles, Charles Barkley was more of an uber athlete and rebound machine, but no power forward has ever played with the consistency and precision of a metronome like Duncan has.  His four rings, three Finals MVPs and two regular-season MVPs speak to the profound respect the Big Fundamental enjoyed from both the media and his peers.

5 (tie). Shaquille O'Neal. Not the MDE. That was Wilt. But the greatest force of nature since hurricanes and tidal waves. The Daddy's four titles and three Finals MVP awards make Shaq, Kobe and Duncan the winningest among all active NBA players.

Honorable Mention:Lebron James, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley.

NASCAR's Kyle Busch, Scott Speed to try Grand-Am racing

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch and Scott Speed plan to test their skills driving exotic Daytona Prototype sports cars in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.

The duo will split driving duties July 4 in the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway. They'll be racing a second Lexus Riley sports car fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, the team whose primary drivers, Memo Rojas and Scott Pruett of Auburn, Calif., are the series' defending champions.

Rojas and Pruett also won their first race of this seasonlast weekend, at Watkins Glen, N.Y., to gain a share of this year's point lead in the Grand-Am series, which was acquired by NASCAR last year.

Busch, 24, has three NASCAR Sprint Cup wins so far this year, tying him for the series high with Mark Martin, and is known for also winning frequently on NASCAR's two second-tier series, the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series.

Speed, 26, is a Manteca, Calif., native who raced in Formula One for 18 months before moving to stock-car racing.

"I am really looking forward to seeing Kyle and Scott in one of our Grand Am cars," said team co-owner Chip Ganassi. "Also, I think having the opportunity for them to work with a road-course veteran like Scott Pruett should make for a great experience for them. It will be exciting to see what they can do."

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: The #01 Lexus Riley of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas on its way to winning the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International Raceway on June 6 in Watkins Glen, N.Y. NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Scott Speed plan to drive a similar car at a Grand-Am Rolex Series race next month. Credit: Brian Cleary / Getty Images.

ESPN ads let you relive magical Finals moments

ESPN begins its NBA Finals advertising campaign Monday. It's called "Elevated Moments'' and features some of the most memorable plays and players in Finals history.

Former Lakers prominent on digital billboards in several cities, including Los Angeles, will be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal.

For television, ESPN is replaying highlights such as Magic's junior sky hook (above) from the 1987 Finals against Boston and Dr. J's baseline reverse dunk from the 1980 Finals against the Lakers.

Cool video.

-- Randy Harvey

Los Angeles owners a mixed bag in Sports Illustrated's Best & Worst list

It stressed that this list was by no means scientific, but Sports Illustrated cited numerous factors when putting together its Best and Worst Owners list in the four major professional sports, the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. SI says the factors included the owners' willingness to spend money to improve the team, stability in the front office and management, amenities at the team's venue, how the team interacts with its fan base and one more important factor -- the team's overall success. Boil those five factors together and you'll see some of our L.A. owners on that list.

Baron Davis: injuries are piling up

Well, there won't be a glorious homecoming for Baron Davis on Sunday at Golden State.

At least not on the court.

The star-crossed Clippers' point guard will probably make the trip with the team and meet with the Bay Area media but playing appears to be out of the question. "Unfortunately," Davis said, "but we go there another time."

Davis suffered an injured hamstring when he was practicing Tuesday night. He had been making progress before the latest injury. The Clippers said it was not a strained hamstring but that he had some tightness in the area.

Before tonight's Lakers-Clippers game, Davis said he was pointing toward getting back for next Wednesday's game at Staples Center against Chicago.

Overly optimistic? Perhaps.

"That's the most important thing for me is to get back on the court," Davis said. "I'm tired of conditioning. I'm tired of watching. All my life all i did was play basketball every single day. And had it taken away from me. It just puts everything in perspective.

" ... I'm just approaching the rest of the season with a positive attitude. I'm not paying attention to what our record is."

Later in his session with the media in the hallway, there was a welcome interruption and friendly greeting.

"Just wish my little brother gets better soon," the legend said.

It was Magic Johnson.

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Baron Davis. Credit: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times

Lakers-Celtics rivalry -- highs and lows from over the years

And now for The Times’ first-ever pre-game show, in anticipation of Thursday's Celtics-Lakers game. Here are some of the great moments in their storied rivalry that are available on YouTube.

Don Nelson’s shot hitting the back of the rim, bouncing up and then going in as the Celtics hold off the fast-closing Lakers in Game 7 of the 1969 Finals.

Boston fans chanting "Beat L.A.!" to the 76ers, who are in the process of upsetting the Celtics in Game 7 of the 1982 East Finals at the Boston Garden.

Gerald Henderson stealing James Worthy’s pass as the Celtics rally to win Game 2 in the 1984 series that they'll ultimately win 4-3, making them 8-0 against the Lakers in the Finals.

Kevin McHale clotheslining Kurt Rambis in Game 4 in 1984 as the Celtics, who have trailed in the final minute of every game to that point, steal another one back to tie the series, 2-2.

The Lakers breaking through in 1985, eliminating the Celtics in Game 6 in Boston Garden, with former Boston great Tommy Heinsohn doing color commentary for CBS.

Magic Johnson’s “junior, junior sky hook” beating the Celtics in Game 5 of the 1987 Finals, en route to the Lakers’ fourth of five titles in the decade to the Celtics’ three.

Kevin Garnett’s emotional “What you going to say now?” speech after the Celtics trample the Lakers in Game 6 in last spring’s Finals.

A downcast Kobe Bryant after the Lakers' crushing 131-92 defeat in last spring's Game 6.

-- Mark Heisler

Photo: The Celtics' Kevin McHale. left, fouls the Lakers' Kurt Rambis during Game 4 of the NBA Finals in 1984.  Credit: Peter Read Miller / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images

Oscar De La Hoya's statue at Staples: the why of it all

I confess to being slightly taken aback at the debate over whether or not Oscar De La Hoya deserved to have himself depicted in a statue outside of Staples Center.

His 14-foot likeness, standing on the ropes in a celebration pose after a boxing victory, was unveiled for all Monday, near statues of other Los Angeles sports icons, the former Laker Magic Johnson and the former Kings hockey star Wayne Gretzky.

Here in Las Vegas, where De La Hoya will fight Manny Pacquiao in a 147-pound match that has become the biggest noisemaker of the year, there continues to be much debate over De La Hoya's statue-worthiness. Part of that is because our sports columnist, Bill Plaschke, wrote that maybe there are others more worthy, that maybe a boxer who hasn't won a lot recently and who has a business connection with the people who run Staples Center and decide on the statues doesn't quite make the cut.

The boxing community gathered here seems to have taken much exception to that stance, because to diss De La Hoya, boxing's main draw and most charismatic character over the last 10 years, is to diss the sport as a whole.

For what it's worth, I have a different take on this whole thing.

Why are any sports stars immortalized in statues?

Is what they do (for the entertainment of the rest of us and for large sums of money) worth a permanent place in our lives and those of the future generations? Are these the role models we want to point to -- as fine people as they are and as much as they have achieved under great gobs of pressure --when we tell our children that they are to emulate those who are now bronzed?

I think our country got it right with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

How about a place outside Staples Center for a statue of the unknown firefighter, who rousted people out of their homes around Los Angeles a few weeks ago and then manned the front lines with a hose?

How about a generic cop, a generic emergency room doctor, a generic scientist creating vaccines to keep us alive? How about a generic teacher, surrounded by teens, clearly eager to learn because this generic teacher has inspired them.

I know, that's pretty naive, kind of Pollyanna-like.

I take it back. Sorry I even brought it up. I guess I just slipped into a bad moment there, but I have recovered.

As I ponder it further, I can see that our world needs more multimillionaires in jockstraps to be the cornerstones of our future.

As a younger generation used to say, my bad.

-- Bill Dwyre

Photo: A 14-foot bronze statue in the likeness of Oscar De La Hoya stands in front of Staples Center. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images