Clark: David Stern’s dream may come true

The Celtics and Lakers developed a rivalry in the 1980s that, for all intents and purposes, saved the NBA from falling off the sports map. But since 1987, the Celtics have failed to make the NBA Finals, and the rivalry has become more nostalgia than antagonism.

All that may be changing this year. The Celtics traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, and possess the league’s best record. Paul Pierce finally has the co-stars he was hoping for, and the rest of the support players (Rajon Rondo, James Posey, etc.) have stepped up as well. After years and years of rebuilding, retooling and rebuilding again, the Celtics are finally contenders with a legitimate shot at the NBA Finals once again.

In the preseason, it seemed that the Lakers would be the ones to take a long, hard journey on the road to rebuilding, as Kobe Bryant was issuing (then retracting) demands for a trade out of town.  He was unhappy with the way the management was attempting to put players around him. Cooler heads prevailed, and Kobe and the Lakers got off to a better start than most thought they were capable of. Then, last week, the Lakers management pulled off a blockbuster deal that should quiet Kobe’s concerns for quite some time.

 By acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis for essentially a couple draft picks and salary cap fodder, the Lakers vaulted themselves into contender status. The road may be tougher in the West, where teams like Dallas, Phoenix and the defending champs from San Antonio roam. But now, it seems the Lakers have a legitimate shot at returning to the Finals as well.

Gasol has a reputation for being soft and has faltered when he has not had much, if any, help while playing for the Grizzlies. Neither issue should be much of a problem in Los Angeles. Andrew Bynum is a young, physical force on the blocks that should be able to absorb much of the pounding that Gasol prefers to avoid. And, with Bryant on the team, there will never be a complaint about lack of talent around Gasol. This deal even makes life a lot easier for Lamar Odom, who might be best suited as a third or fourth option.

Both the Lakers and Celtics have the pieces in place to at least compete deep into the playoffs for the next three or four years. It’s quite possible that the two teams could meet once again in the NBA Finals and restore the rivalry to its former glory.  Somewhere, David Stern is smiling.

Jeff Clark is the founder and lead writer of celticsblog.com. He can be reached at