CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: 5 Reasons Celtics Fans Should Root for the Magic

Now that the Celtics are out of the playoffs and the Finals are here, Celtics fans need to align their allegiances with the Orlando Magic. Red's Army has already jumped on board and are now going by Pat's Army. There are many good reasons to join us and root for the Magic.

First and foremost, they are playing the Lakers. Any Celtics fan old enough to remember Larry Bird is old enough to hate the Lakers. As a general principle, my two favorite teams are the Celtics and any team playing the Lakers. Every true Celtics fan hates the Lakers and never ever want them to win, period.

Second, Red's honor is at stake. Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson are tied at 9 championships each. Red won his championships with teams that he put together from the ground up and he did it all with the Celtics. Phil Jackson, on the other hand, shopped for players. He took on teams that had superstar players and ran with them. And, he didn't stick around after said superstar player left the team. Red really didn't like Jackson and didn't miss a chance to tweak him when he got a chance. Red had this to say as he attended his 50th opening night game in 2005.

"Phil obviously is a good coach, you don't win that many games without being a good coach. One thing, though. He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say. Larry Brown doesn't pick his spots. He's a great coach," Auerbach said.

Third, the Celtics' legacy is at stake. The Celtics have won 17 championships. The Lakers have won 14 championships. The Celtics have always been able to say that no franchise has won as many titles as they have. While this is still true, the Lakers are coming uncomfortably close, being just 3 behind now. We don't want them to get any closer.

Fourth, we can point to Tony Battie on the Magic. Tony was a good Celtic for 5 1/2 years. He was always classy and the Celtics owe a lot to him in that it was Tony Battie that rushed Paul Pierce to the hospital when he was stabbed back in 2000. And Tony's quick action in getting him to the hospital probably saved his life. So, of all the players in the Finals, Tony is the one guy I'd love to see get a ring.

Fifth, Pat Williams is a very good guy. I met him when he spoke at a teacher's convention I attended in Orlando and he really is a nice guy. He and his wife have 19 children, including 14 adopted from four nations, ranging in age from 18 to 32. For one year, 16 of his children were all teenagers at the same time. Now that probably qualifies him for sainthood, but, as a second choice, an NBA championship would be nice. Here is an article from 1993, when they had only 16 children, that tells how he and his wife dealt with raising that many children. Now that is amazing (que Kanye West song).

Finally, did I mention that they are playing the Lakers? I hate the Lakers. I have hated the Lakers for 40 years. I hated them then and I hate them now. I hate Kobe Bryant. I hate Pau Gasol. I hate Lamar Odom. I hate Sasha Vujacic (especially whiny little Sasha). I hate Phil Jackson. All the "experts" is picking the Lakers this year just like they all picked them the last year. The Lakers are an arrogant team full of arrogant players. Maybe it comes from having all those "stars" sitting courtside and cheering them on. I'd love nothing better than to see the Magic knock that arrogance right out of them, just as they did to the Cavs.

Let's go Magic! Celtics Nation is behind you! Beat LA!!!!

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