Collected Thoughts: Celtics-Lakers Edition

Trust me, man — we're not going to let anybody forget. We've got to let them know: We don't like them and they don't like us. Roll up your sleeves.

--Magic Johnson


I still have a hard time looking at Michael Cooper.

--Larry Bird


The fierce Boston-Los Angeles confrontations were all you saw and it's all you ever wanted to see, really. They were great games; they really didn't like each other. Honestly, that's what the Finals should be — intense. You're both fighting for something that you desperately want.

--Doc Rivers

The memo from the Lakers owner read: 'Upon winning the championship, we will serve champagne and release balloons.' Sam Jones got a hold of the memo and brought it to Bill. Our battle cry became, 'What is Jack Kent Cooke going to do with all those balloons?'

--Tommy Heinsohn

I remember taunting Worthy by clutching my throat after he missed a free-throw in the final minute. I just wanted to rub it in as much as I could. I thought it was funny. After that, it got personal. If they were on fire, I don't think we would've thrown water on them. Gas maybe.

--Cornbread Maxwell

Wake up, folks -- this is one of the best teams of all time, and you might be surprised how easily they roll through the playoffs. I realize this is raining on the parade a bit since everybody is so jacked up about the competition in store this postseason, but I have to warn you there's a chance the Celtics are just going to flat-out destroy everybody. The Western Conference is where all of the excitement and most of the quality resides, but I'd be very surprised if the West champs can beat Boston in the Finals ... and even more surprised if somebody besides Boston was their opponent.

--John Hollinger