RIVALRY REBORN: Celtics and Lakers ready to write next chapter

The Boston Celtics' new "Big Three" has dragged its storied franchise back from the edge of despair. Kobe Bryant has seemingly recommitted his immense talent to the success of the Los Angeles Lakers, after having one foot out the door during the offseason.

So what does this mean to the NBA's greatest historic rivalry?

The two teams square off tonight in what promises to be at least an entertaining game, and quite possibly a memorable new chapter in the roundball feud that was once the league's marquee matchup but hasn't seen a meaningful installment since the 1980's. This year's Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have a combined record of 16-5, and have both looked in the season's early goings like teams with the potential to reach - and make serious waves in - the playoffs.

While both squads have gotten more than their share of ink in the sporting press, the bigger story is no doubt coming out of Boston. The Celtics, a franchise that had fallen into such a funk that its annual highlight was unquestionably its draw in the NBA draft lottery, went from the league's cellar to its penthouse via a remake that would have made even the "Queer Eye" guys jealous.

And while there are still bumps in the road for Boston (perimeter defense for one, as made obvious during its loss to Orlando last Sunday), the team is easily playing its best basketball in 20 years. Kevin Garnett has proved to be as valuable for his infectious emotional energy as he is for his all-around game - quite a statement, considering how thoroughly he can dominate with his potential triple-double skills night-in and night-out.

Ray Allen is exactly the composed, heady veteran (read: NOT Antoine Walker) that Paul Pierce has so desperately needed throughout his career, providing the captain's Yin with a Yang of balance, stability and, not least of all, a shot consistent enough that defenses have to at least consider it in a game's decisive moments. With all three averaging over 20 points per game, it can easily be argued that the Celtics have the strongest nucleus in the league.

Kobe Bryant, meanwhile, has done his usual job of torching the twine despite even a single teammate stepping up and providing a consistent supporting act. The closest thing that Kobe (26.9 points per game) has to a sidekick is former URI star Lamar Odom, who has been limited to seven starts thus far this season as he battles back from shoulder surgery.

When Odom is on the floor, he produces - his 13 points and just over eight rebounds per game rank him second on the team in both categories. But Laker fans might be asking too much in expecting Odom to maintain his current clip of over 35 minutes played per game, what with his propensity for breaking down.

L.A. has gotten a bit of bittersweet luck from the center position, where Kwame Brown's indefinite loss due to a knee sprain has opened up more minutes for Andrew Bynum. In two starts since Kwame Brown went down, the seven-footer has put up a pair of double-doubles - a feat that he had already accomplished four times this season off the Laker bench - and blocked five shots. If Andrew Bynum continues to blossom in the middle, he could end up providing the inside-out compliment that would kick Kobe's game up into the stratosphere.

Head-to-head, these two teams provide some intriguing matchups. Kobe Bryant vs. Pierce has already proven to be quite a show, even when the Celtics were struggling to remain competitive during the last few seasons. The Los Angeles Lakers have enough big bodies - Andrew Bynum, Chris Mihm, Vladimir Radmanovic - to bang with Garnett down low, though the loss of both Kwame Brown and Ronny Turiaf (left ankle sprain) could make foul trouble a factor if Boston coach Doc Rivers elects to pound the ball inside with Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in the early goings to try and expose Andrew Bynum defensively.

Veteran point guard Derek Fisher should provide a nice measuring stick as to the progress of Boston's Rajon Rondo, and the three-point prowess of Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Radmanovic and Jordan Farmar could end up exposing the same Achilles Heel that the Magic found within the Celtics' defense.

The key for Boston is not to get caught up in trying to stop Kobe Bryant - he's likely going to get his 30. Just as the Celtics of old used to do with Michael Jordan, the trick is to make sure that none of his sidekicks get hot and provide the support needed for an L.A. victory.

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