Starting Five

The Boston Celtics, fresh off a buzzer-beater loss, wasted no time boarding a plane to Los Angeles. They had a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow.

It was commonly known as the "Green and Gold Showdown."

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics were undoubtedly the teams with the richest championship histories in NBA history. They had faced off countless times in epic NBA Finals matchups, making them the greatest rivals of all. In the 1980s, the arrival of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird pushed the Green and Gold Showdown to its peak.

The 1979 NCAA championship game, featuring Magic Johnson's Michigan State University against Larry Bird's Indiana State University, drew nearly 35.11 million viewers. With a 24.1% rating, it set a new record for a live college basketball broadcast in the United States.

It was the first time Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had met on the court. Magic Johnson ended Larry Bird's undefeated 33-game winning streak and lifted the first championship trophy in Michigan State's history.

Afterward, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league at the same time and carried their rivalry into the NBA, ushering in a new era for the Black and White Duo. Their playing styles couldn't have been more different—Magic Johnson was dazzling and imaginative, while Larry Bird was composed and deadly—but both were born winners.

They each won three championships in the first seven seasons of their careers. Their teams split their head-to-head matchups in the 1984 and 1985 NBA Finals.

But in 1986, both storied franchises went through turmoil. The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a heartbreaking exit when Ralph Sampson hit a miraculous game-winner in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Len Bias, the talented second overall pick selected by the Boston Celtics in the draft, died suddenly of a drug overdose.

In the 1986–87 season, the Los Angeles Lakers came roaring back. With seven players averaging double figures, they racked up 117.8 points per game and brought Showtime to life. They finished the regular season with 65 wins, the best record in the league. Magic Johnson also wrested the regular-season MVP award from Larry Bird, who had won it three years in a row, with an all-around stat line of 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game.

In the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers grew even more ruthless, sweeping aside the Western Conference contenders with an 11–1 record. Unlike their opponents, who were crushed with ease, the aging Boston Celtics were short on young talent and no longer as dominant. They barely made it through the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals, needing seven games in each series.

The NBA Finals were the much-anticipated Green and Gold Showdown. It was the third time in four years the two teams had met in the Finals.

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in six hard-fought games. Magic Johnson averaged 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in the series, earning the NBA Finals MVP award.

In 1991, Earvin Johnson was diagnosed with HIV. He announced his retirement on November 7 of that year. Larry Bird announced his retirement on August 18, 1992. From then on, both storied franchises fell into a slump.

It wasn't until the 1999–2000 season that the Los Angeles Lakers finally returned to the top. After three years of laying low, Kobe had fully established himself as an elite guard. Alongside The Diesel, Shaquille O'Neal, he formed the OK Duo and began their reign over the league. They went on to win three consecutive championships, creating a new dynasty after the Chicago Bulls.

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics remained mired in a slump.

Even so, whenever the two teams met, it always made headlines.

Room 401 at a hotel in Los Angeles:

Doc Rivers stared at the paper in front of him, his brows furrowed.

A while later, Doc Rivers's expression relaxed, as if he had made an important decision.

The next day, in the Boston Celtics' locker room at Staples Center:

Before the game, Doc Rivers announced, "Tonight, Goodwin will start at small forward."

What?

As soon as he spoke, everyone on the Boston Celtics was stunned—even Goodwin himself.

Me? Starting? Coach, are you sure?

"Don't be surprised. I've given this a lot of thought. Goodwin's been playing extremely well lately. Even during this three-game losing streak, he's been putting up consistent numbers."

"If there's one player on this team I'm least worried about, it's Goodwin."

Doc Rivers looked at Goodwin. "Goodwin, can you handle a starting role?"

Goodwin shot to his feet and roared, "Yes!"

His booming voice startled the teammate beside him.

Goodwin really hadn't expected this opportunity to come out of nowhere. A starting spot!

And against the Los Angeles Lakers, no less—a team with the OK Duo.

Every NBA fan knew all about the Los Angeles Lakers and their OK Duo.

Now he actually got to play against them. What an honor!

Mom, I'm getting so worked up again.

Goodwin could hardly keep himself from running a couple of laps.

"Hahahahaha!" Goodwin couldn't control himself and burst out laughing.

Doc Rivers: "..."

The rest of the Boston Celtics teammates: "..."

Did he really need to be that excited?

Paul Pierce walked over to Goodwin. "Goodwin, congratulations."

"Thanks," Goodwin replied, still grinning.

"Goodwin, do you really need to be this happy? I'm warning you—if you don't play well, I'll kick your ass," Paul Pierce warned. He hoped Goodwin wouldn't get carried away.

To be honest, looking at Goodwin reminded him of his own first start. It had been February 5, 1999, against the Toronto Raptors. He'd been incredibly excited that night, shooting 7-for-14 and putting up 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. The only downside was that they'd lost.

"Of course I'm happy. That's the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. As a fan, getting to play against them is such an honor."

Really?

Paul Pierce shrugged, unconvinced.

After all, it wasn't his first time playing against the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was long past the excitement. Now all he wanted was to beat them. He had to lead the team to victory and put an end to this damn three-game losing streak.

Paul Pierce reached out and patted Goodwin on the shoulder. "All right, calm down. Just remember to play well out there."

Only a good performance could help Goodwin hold on to the starting spot he'd worked so hard to earn.

Goodwin nodded. "I know, Paul."

I won't let Coach or Paul down. Bring it on, Los Angeles Lakers!

With his heart pounding and his hands trembling, Goodwin sat in his locker-room chair and waited for the game to begin.