<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>SALT LAKE CITY - Red Auerbach barely concealed his distaste for Phil Jackson over the years, and if ever there was a moment that could jolt the soul of the late Celtics [team stats] patriarch, it could happen tonight in Los Angeles. Should the Lakers beat the Celtics, Jackson would pass Auerbach on the regular-season wins list. The two are currently tied for seventh at 938. Lenny Wilkens leads the way with 1,332. To add to this bizarre coincidence, Auerbach’s daughter Randy, a longtime Los Angeles resident and veteran of the film industry, is expected to be on hand. Paul Pierce [stats], who prided himself on a close relationship with Auerbach, plans to do his part to delay the inevitable for Jackson. “It’s ironic,” Pierce said. “We’re going to try and extend it (the wait) by one more day, anyway.” “But we try to win every game, anyway,” he said. “That’s (Jackson’s) problem. They were two great coaches.” In similar fashion, Celtics coach Doc Rivers had too much on his mind to worry. “I don’t want (the Lakers) to win crap, period,” he said. zl0 gfsubhRivalry revival cw-2cw-2 Ray Allen recently talked of how many NBA players of his generation grew up as Lakers fans because of Magic Johnson. With the Lakers on a roll, including Friday’s blowout of Utah, tonight’s game against the Celtics stands to become one of the most vital in this longtime NBA rivalry. “I look forward to it,” Allen said. “They are playing better now than when they came to our building (Nov. 23). This is going to be interesting, because just as people in Boston remember the Lakers as a team to hate, people in LA have pure hatred for the Celtics. “From what I understand, though, the Celtics have had success there lately, so I’m sure that there is still going to be that pure hatred,” he said. “They’re playing better now, and we’ll have to be better, too.” Pierce, who grew up within a quick hop of the old Forum in Inglewood, Calif., has never thought any differently of the rivalry.</div> Source: Boston Herald
I'm so happy we won that game. Having Phil pass Red against the Celtics just wouldn't have been right. All this talk about a replenished rivalry needs to stop though. There is no rivalry.
