Shaw has seen both sides
Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw has experienced both sides of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Originally from Oakland, Calif., Shaw was drafted 24th overall in 1988 by the Celtics out of Cal-Santa Barbara. He played two full seasons in Boston (sandwiched between a celebrated one-year stint in Italy) and was traded in the middle of his third Celtic season to the Heat.
Shaw's career traveled through Orlando, Golden State, Philadelphia, and Portland before he signed as a free agent with the Lakers in 1999. He played there through 2003 and was part of the team's three consecutive NBA titles from 2000-02.
"When I was [in Boston] it was a long time ago, but I do feel like I have a unique perspective because I do know the tradition and history here, and I've seen it on both sides," Shaw said.
For Lakers too young to appreciate the history of the matchup, Shaw said he has tried to give them some perspective.
"My biggest concern is that our guys don't understand the intensity of it," Shaw said. "They're so young and they weren't around it. I know from the Boston side that they hate the Lakers, and our guys need to realize that there's that hate there."
Rivalry not so revered
Not everyone is captivated by the mystique of the rivalry. Lakers forward Vladimir Radmanovic said he respects the history of the teams but is not taking it into account in the series. Radmanovic is in his seventh season and played most of his career with Seattle before signing with the Lakers in 2006. "I'm really looking forward to winning a championship," he said. "That's all that matters right now. I don't care how many championships Boston won or Lakers before me. I'm just trying to win it now." . . . Lakers guard Derek Fisher is looking at Celtics guard Rajon Rondo to be a difference maker. Rondo, who is in his second season, has had his share of good and bad moments in the playoffs, but with each game he gained confidence. "He's had the opportunity this year to play every single game, and I think that's done a lot for his confidence, having that experience and understanding how not to only do things that help his own game, but really making the team better, and that's what a point guard does is make his team better, similar to Jordan Farmar on our team who's in his second year," said Fisher, a veteran of 10 postseasons in 12 years in the NBA. "These guys add great minutes for both teams. Rajon is going to be a key, I think, to any success the Celtics are going to have."