Lakers vs. Celtics 2010 Game 1: Lakers Beat Celtics 102-89 – As I write The Lakers and The Celtics are battling out in the 2010 NBA Finals. This might appear unbelievable but this is actually the twelfth time these two teams have reached to the finals together. When you combine the two franchises they have a total of 32 titles which is very impressive to say the least.
Their rivalry is mostly remembered for the heated 2008 Finals, where Doc Rivers’s team won the championship by defeating Phil Jackson’s men in the sixth game, with Paul Pierce being crowned Most Valuable Player.
LOS ANGELES – The seemingly never-ending saga that is Phil Jackson‘s future with the Lakers took its latest twist before the start of Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday night.
Jackson was asked about and addressed his situation, sort of, during his pre-game media session.
When reminded that he said a trip to the Finals would be the mark of a successful season, and that he said he would likely remain with the Lakers if they accomplished this feat, provided the opportunity for Jackson to clarify his status.
“I’ll be here with them until at least the end of this month,” Jackson said. “That’s for sure, officially.”
Jackson’s response drew a round of laughter before he went on to provide some context, which plenty of Lakers fans have needed with Jackson’s name surfacing in rumors for nearly every coaching vacancy in the league right now.
“Yes, I think a lot of that is true,” he said. “It feels like we’re headed in the right direction. We believe in what we’re doing. We’ve got momentum. I know the Celtics do, too, but this is really the topping on the cake, so to speak, as to how you come out in the Finals and how you play. I’m looking forward to this, and that’s it.”
When pressed a bit more and told that it sounded like he was leaning towards staying with the Lakers, Jackson went rogue again.
“All right,” he responded before getting up and leaving the stage.
