It’s understandable that sometimes sports networks might try to manufacture a rivalry between two NBA teams. And frankly, even if they may exaggerate the connections in some cases, it’s still fun to pretend there’s something bigger on the line. Then again, I can see why Celtics fans might get a little annoyed with this phenomenon.
Celtics Vs. Hawks: Don’t Call It A Rivalry, Says Boston
Wednesday night, they’re it’s Boston versus their hated-Knicks rivals. Thursday, they’ve got a showdown with the “rival” Atlanta Hawks. ... Huh?
The Celtics have a rival. They play in Los Angeles. End of story. SB Nation’s Celtics Blog elaborates on this new phenomenon with help from Glen “Big Baby” Davis:
[Atlanta's not] the only team that thinks they're the Celtics' rivals. The C's are a measuring stick for teams that are trying to find an identity. It's a test for those teams, while the C's just cross off each team one at a time: Next.
"I love it basically," [Glen] Davis said. "Everybody feels like they have to beat us. And that is true. You have to beat us to get to where you want to go. We're the team that went there last year."
Joakim Noah said it too. There's no team he wants to beat more than the Celtics. Why? Because the Bulls just haven't. The C's got the best of them in the same fashion as the Hawks two postseasons ago.
And I guess it is a compliment, when you look at it that way. People don’t manufacture rivalries with bad teams. But even so, it’s getting a little ridiculous with Boston. I guess people just don’t like them because they’re good? Still not sure that makes a rivalry though. In any case, if Boston does have rivalries with half the Eastern Conference, it’s sure been one-sided lately.
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