faced stiff competition from the ABA (American Basketball Association) before merging in 1976.  Both the Lakers and Celtics had storied beginnings in the NBA but had fallen back to mediocrity in the 1970's.  Magic and Bird faced off in college before going pro, setting the tone for a 1980's rivalry.  Magic's Michigan State defeated Bird's Indiana St. 75-64 for the 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship.

From  1980 to 1991 Magic's Lakers appeared in nine NBA Finals, Bird's Celtics five.  The Lakers won five titles, the Celtics three.  These teams faced off in the Finals three times (1984, 1985, 1987), the Lakers winning the last two.  From 1980 to 1988, either Los Angeles or Boston claimed the NBA title (except 1983, Philadelphia 76'ers).

Boston and Los Angeles are once again gearing up for another showdown.  Each team captured the #1 seed in their Conference.  The Celtics (66-16) should waltz through the playoffs until they "will most likely" face Detroit in the Eastern Finals.  The Lakers (57-25) are in a loaded Western Conference, where a 50-32 team was the #8 seed.  It may come down to the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs in the Western Finals (Spurs are defending champions, and have won four of the last nine NBA Finals after the true "Jordan Era" ended.

Boston is a well-balanced team with superstars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce accounting for about 60 points per game.  Throw in veterans P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, and James Posey and you have an overwhelming chance of winning every night.

Los Angeles is not as deep as the Celtics coming off the bench.  They will rely heavily on Kobe Bryant and hope he trusts his teammates.  The Lakers match Boston well in the starting five, Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and Andrew Bynum. 

If Boston can shut down Gasol and have Kobe win it on his own, the  Celtics will prevail.  Although Boston has more depth off the bench, the Lakers have younger, fresher legs.  If it turns into a shoot-out every night, "Showtime" returns and Los Angeles will prevail.

In the November 2007 edition of The People News, I went out on a limb and picked the Atlanta Hawks to finish around .500 and get into the playoffs for the first time since the strike-shortened 1998-99 season.  They made the playoffs (and will exit quickly facing Boston) but came up short on 41 wins.  Keep an eye on these guys…they're in the Eastern Conference, a .500 record assures a playoff spot. 

And on a quick note…Bob Knight resigned earlier this year at Texas Tech.  He is best remembered for his years at Indiana (1971-2000).  He

brought the Hoosiers three NCAA championships (1976, 1981,  1987).  After his last title, his teams were still perennial Sweet 16 teams until 1994.  Was it just me or did Indiana brass start belittling him at about the same time his teams were no longer championship-caliber? 

As you pour over the rosters he coached, there are a few stars, but mostly “position players” or “end of the benchers” in the NBA. Was it because he got the most out of his players? Or was it because if you played for him you were expected to attend class and graduate? Maybe his old-fashion work ethic is why you never saw him shrounded in scandels.

Many detracters of Knight always point to his short fuse. How many people out there over 40 can remember our own dads being the same way? He expected 110% and there was no “entitlements” on his team. The on-camera episode with his son about 15 years ago…was made into a huge contraversy. How many of us remember getting the same treatment from our dads? I remember a few…and yes I deserved it.

Knight was brash, arrogant, and an excellent field general. Something we no longer see in coaches. While they are so concerned about their jobs and making their players happy, Bob went right on along. Never changing for anyone. You’ll be misssed Bob Knight.                           
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