Magic Plays Rondo

Game Three, Lakers Verus Celtics. Lakers up by 12 at halftime. Magic Johnson, considered one of the Top Five players in history, and perhaps the greatest Laker ever, sits across from Rajon Rondo, a new kid on the block, and begins firing him one question after another.

Me, I'm flashing back to Kung Fu, the old 70's show, where David Carradine is a young, bald apprentice, sitting cross legged from his blind, venerable master. Master is palming a pebble, and placidly holds it out in his palm.

Go ahead, take it, Rondo...I'm thinking. Grab the pebble.

Of course, the pebble represents greatness. And Rondo, as he is prone to do- reaches for it...

what do you know, but Magic closes his palm before the little guy can swipe it.

You got to ask yourself- Is Magic a neutral guy? Might he be bringing something to the table, in this interview (as part owner of the Lakers)?  Might Magic, say, have a legacy and an organization to protect? Might he be playing chess with a young kid, just coming into his own?

Consider what's at stake: the Celtics have a two championship lead in the overall team standings. Consider also, that Rondo is being compared to Magic as a triple double machine. Magic's franchise and individual legacy are under attack.

So, the Answer, of course, is yes. Come grasshopper, come.

Watch for yourself...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNn4hDmSouk

Key points:
2:52:  Magic tells the story of Pat Riley turning over the Lakers to him, saying, "Riley approached Kareem and said, This is Magic's team now."

He follows with a question/ baited hook for Rondo:

"Did Doc River's do the same for you, saying, "this is Rondo's team now?"

3:19- "Yeah, in practices, Doc basically gave me more and more responsibility, and let me run the show. ...(I'm) really a coach on the floor."

The Effect?

Did Paul Pierce agree? How about Garnett? Or Allen? Do you think Doc Rivers wants this potential division cleaving his players into old versus new?

After that, Magic asks, "So, beating the Lakers in '08, what would happen if you beat them in 2010?"

Rondo's answer is essentially: "To win two out of four years, puts me in the same place as you, Magic, and Tony Parker. That's an honor, and beating the Lakers to do it is even better."

The Effect?

Lakers pride at stake. As if it weren't already.

Here's Rondo, comparing himself to the greatest Laker of all time. And already proclaiming his legend before the baby is born.

Think the Lakers aren't listening?

Take the pebble grasshopper. C'mon Rondo. A reach....a foul...

Magic just assisted his team again.

Just like that, the momentum of the series shifts. Stroking Rondo's ego before he's ready, or his team is ready to accept it, and stoking the Laker's flame....all in one masterful closing of the palm....

Magical indeed.

Seismic tremors build from the interview, and the long-term effects could be the defining moment of the series.

Magic Johnson - still the greatest Final's point guard in NBA history.....