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"Actually, I'm happy that they're back. When you think of the Lakers and the Celtics, those are two of the really biggest brands [in the NBA]. The Celtics are always going to have a following like the Lakers have a following. With them being back it makes the league better. You can't have New York and the Celtics be bad at the same time like we've had for the last few years. So, it helps the league.

"I'm happy they're back because of that. But I'm happy, No. 1, that they're back because of Paul because I want him to be on the big stage. I want him to win." (Boston Globe, December 10, 2007)

My Quick Take: Has Magic Johnson gone soft, come down with a fever, or been drugged? After all, the 6-9 point guard was a certified Celtic-killer during his twelve year NBA career. And once a Laker, always a Laker, right?

Well, the Boston Globe story challenges this notion. Johnson has switched sides before. Remember, the Hall of Fame point guard broke ranks and donned a Celtic t-shirt on one very special occasion.

Jokes aside, Johnson is right. A competitive Celtic franchise is good for the NBA.

Calling Boston a brand doesn’t do them justice. The green-and-white was a basketball institution long before marketing gurus coined the brand bandwagon back in the 1990s.

Just check out the championship crests on their heritage week warm-up jackets. And the 2007-08 Celtics, sitting atop the standings, bring back memories of past glory.

Watching Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce reminds me of Bird stealing Thomas’ inbound pass in the Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit. For older folks, the Big Three makes them reminisce on Dave Cowens, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, and Bill Russell.

Magic was also right in praising Pierce. The Truth, along with Jesus Shuttlesworth and The Big Ticket, is sacrificing individual numbers for a shot at collective glory. This is rare in today's NBA.

Nobody knows how this season will unfold for Boston. But the leprechaun’s rise has provided the NBA with a much-needed positive.

What do you think of Magic’s comments? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

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