Some Pierce fans in LA proud to be going green
Lakers fans might have been stewing as the Celtics' Paul Pierce led his teammates in chants of "Beat LA, Beat LA," after Boston eliminated Detroit in six games Friday night to advance to the NBA Finals.
Two Lakers fans in Los Angeles, however, were smiling, as Scott Collins and Pat Roy will be rooting for Pierce during the Finals.
No Celtic has stronger ties to Los Angeles than Pierce, who grew up in Inglewood, Calif., a huge Lakers and Magic Johnson fan.
"That was funny. I'm sure he heard, 'Beat LA,' as a kid and hated that chant back then," said Collins, an Inglewood police detective who is Pierce's longtime mentor, in a phone interview. "And now, he's leading it . . .
"Soon as the Lakers made it to the Finals, all these Lakers flags were out [on cars] with the fair-weather fans. People are pumped up here for Lakers-Celtics. But the story is about how the Inglewood boy who grew up here as a Lakers fan is now going to take the Lakers down."
Said Roy, Pierce's coach at Inglewood High: "A lot of people in Los Angeles have mixed emotions. They've always hated green and white. But they've got mixed feelings having watched homegrown Paul Pierce grow up. I'm going green because of Paul."
Most of the Celtics have LA connections, so getting tickets for family and friends might be a chore.
Kevin Garnett owns a home in Malibu. Sam Cassell, Eddie House, and coach Doc Rivers played for the Clippers. In fact, the Clippers bought out Cassell, allowing him to sign with Boston. Brian Scalabrine and rookie Gabe Pruitt, a Los Angeles native, both played at Southern Cal. Ray Allen was a Lakers fan while living in Rosamond, Calif., and Scot Pollard went to high school in San Diego. And House and Leon Powe grew up in the Bay Area.
With the Lakers playing just down the street from him at the Forum until 1999, Pierce became a huge fan. He rubbed elbows with the Lakers when they practiced at Inglewood High. Collins, who worked security at Lakers games, recalled the times Pierce used to sneak into the Forum.
"He was a huge Lakers fan," Roy said. "That's all he used to talk about, the Lakers. When he did a dunk at practice [at Inglewood High], he'd say he's James Worthy. He ran point forward so he thought he was Magic Jr. Everything he talked about revolved around the Lakers."
Johnson began hosting an offseason charity event in Los Angeles called "Midsummer Night's Magic," which included a pro and celebrity all-star game. Almost $20 million was raised over the two decades of the event.
In 2006, Johnson passed the event on to Pierce and Golden State guard Baron Davis, also a Los Angeles native. The event is now called the "LA Stars
Pierce does charity work in Los Angeles, so it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets from the Lakers fans. Collins expects a mix of cheers and boos, and some loud cheers from him and Roy.
"He gave me one of his jerseys after he signed with the Celtics," Roy said. "I have never worn the jersey. But when the Celtics come to Los Angeles during the Finals, I'll wear it for the first time. I'm super proud of seeing his success after growing up in the inner city. He's a huge success."
When asked what it would be like if Pierce had the chance to hoist the championship trophy at Staples Center, Collins said, "It would be almost as good as watching my kids being born. It would mean a lot. I'd never bet against Paul. I always feel he'll come out on top."
A final respite
The Celtics will resume practice today in Waltham after taking two days off. The Celtics had played every other day since April 26, Game 3 of the first-round series against Atlanta . . . The Lakers are scheduled to arrive in Boston tomorrow night. The Celtics and Lakers will practice at TD Banknorth Garden Wednesday.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com
