First Appearance

The Boston Celtics, having just been defeated by a buzzer-beater, boarded their flight to Los Angeles without delay, as they were scheduled for a back-to-back game against the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow.

Commonly known as the "Yellow-Green Rivalry."

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are undoubtedly the teams with the deepest championship pedigree in NBA history, having staged countless peak duels in the Finals and standing as the greatest of rivals. In the 1980s, the emergence of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird pushed this rivalry to its absolute zenith.

During the 1979 NCAA Finals, the matchup between Michigan State University, led by Magic Johnson, and Indiana State University, led by Larry Bird, captured the attention of nearly 35.11 million fans, setting a new record for U.S. college basketball broadcasts with a 24.1% rating.

That was the first time Magic Johnson and Larry Bird met on the court; Magic Johnson ended Larry Bird's 33-game winning streak and hoisted the first championship trophy in his team's history.

Afterward, both Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league, extending their rivalry into the NBA and ushering in a brand-new era of the "Black and White Duo." Although their playing styles were vastly different—Magic Johnson being flashy and dreamlike, while Larry Bird was steady and lethal—both were undeniably born winners.

Each won three championships in their first seven seasons, and in their head-to-head clashes in the 1984 and 1985 Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics traded victories, remaining evenly matched.

However, in 1986, both powerhouses experienced turmoil. The Los Angeles Lakers were shockingly eliminated in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals by a buzzer-beater from Ralph Sampson, while the Boston Celtics lost their talented second-overall draft pick, Len Bias, who passed away suddenly from a drug overdose.

In the 1986-87 season, the Los Angeles Lakers made a comeback, averaging 117.8 points with seven players scoring in double digits, perfectly embodying the Showtime era. They finished with 65 wins, the best in the league, and Magic Johnson snatched the regular-season MVP from Larry Bird—who had won it for three consecutive years—with an all-around stat line of 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds.

Coming into the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers became even more ruthless, sweeping through the Western Conference with an 11-1 record. In contrast to their opponent's dominance, the Boston Celtics had an aging roster, a lack of young talent, and waning authority, struggling through seven-game series in both the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals to barely advance.

The Finals were the highly anticipated Yellow-Green Rivalry, the third time the two sides had crossed paths in four years.

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

In 1991, Earvin Johnson was diagnosed with HIV and announced his retirement on November 7 of that same year; Larry Bird announced his retirement on August 18, 1992, and with that, both powerhouse teams fell into a slump.

It wasn't until the 99-00 season that the Los Angeles Lakers finally returned to their peak. After three years of dormancy, Kobe Bryant had fully stepped into the ranks of elite guards, pairing with The Diesel, Shaquille O'Neal, to form the OK Duo and officially beginning a period of league dominance. They went on to win three consecutive championships, establishing a new dynasty following the Chicago Bulls.

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics remained in a continuous slump.

However, even so, every time these two teams met, the level of discourse would hit its peak.

Room 401 of a hotel in Los Angeles:

Doc Rivers looked at the papers in front of him, his brows furrowed.

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

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

Before the game began, Doc Rivers announced something: "Tonight's starting small forward will be Goodwin."

What?

As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone on the Boston Celtics was shocked, even Goodwin himself.

I'm starting? Coach, you've got to be kidding me!

"Don't be surprised. This is a decision I've made after careful consideration. During this period, Goodwin's performance has been excellent; even during this three-game losing streak, he has been able to provide stable output."

"If there is one person on this team I don't worry about, it's Goodwin."

Doc Rivers looked at Goodwin and asked, "Goodwin, are you capable of handling the starting position?"

Goodwin stood up with a whoosh and roared in response, "Yes."

The booming voice startled his nearby teammates.

Goodwin truly hadn't expected this sudden opportunity—a start!

And it was against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Lakers with the OK Duo.

Anyone who is an NBA fan knows the Los Angeles Lakers' OK Duo inside and out.

To be able to compete against them on the court now was truly a blessing.

Mom, I've made it.

Goodwin felt like running a few laps.

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

Doc Rivers: "..."

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

Is there really a need to be this excited?

Paul Pierce walked over to Goodwin's side and said, "Goodwin, congratulations."

"Thanks," Goodwin replied while still laughing.

"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, hoping Goodwin wouldn't get carried away.

To be honest, looking at Goodwin's state, he couldn't help but recall his own first start on February 5, 1999, against the Toronto Raptors. He had been incredibly excited that game, finishing with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks on 7-of-14 shooting, though the only downside was that they lost.

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

Is that so?

Paul Pierce shrugged, unimpressed.

After all, this wasn't his first time facing the Los Angeles Lakers.

The excitement had long since faded, replaced now only by the determination to defeat his opponent. He wanted to lead the team to victory and end this damn three-game losing streak.

Paul Pierce reached out and patted Goodwin on the shoulder, saying, "Alright, stop getting so worked up. Remember to perform well on the court later."

Only by performing well could he keep the starting spot he had worked so hard to get.

Goodwin nodded, "I know, senior Paul."

I won't let the coach or senior Paul down. Come on, let's fight, Los Angeles Lakers!

With an excited heart and trembling hands, Goodwin sat on the locker room chair, waiting for the game to begin.