Here’s some quotes I’ve come across on the ever building resurgence of a Pistons/Celtics rivalry
Bill Laimbeer - “The era that I grew up was very intense competition,” says Bill Laimbeer. “It was almost hatred of the other team and it still holds to this day on any players of those teams. Your teammates are all that matter and the other team is the enemy. There were some bitter rivalries and some bitter feelings … and I still won’t talk to Larry Bird.”
Isiah Thomas - “It was extremely personal [..] you just wanted to beat the (expletive) out of them, [..]I’ll say hello, but I’ll never be friends with them, [..] there’s no personal dislike. (pause) … We’re Pistons, they’re Celtics”
…Quotes via Pistons.com: Hatred No Longer A Part Of The NBA
Chucky Atkins - “The thing about Detroit that separates them from Boston right now is, they’ve been through wars together,” Atkins said. “When it gets tough, they know they can rely on each other. Boston might have a good record, but they haven’t really been in any wars with anyone yet. So that could be the story toward the end of the year.”
Adrian Dantley - “I can see that being a good series,” Dantley said. “And that rivalry happening again.”
By the way…
In unrelated former Pistons news; Chris Webber told a Sacramento T.V. reporter he’ll be back in two weeks. No confirmation on who he’ll be signing with though.
