"Magic Johnson rekindles historical Lakers-Celtics competition with brash statement following Boston's undesirable NBA record achievement"
In the heat of the Eastern Conference semifinals, magic Johnson, a hallmark of the 'Showtime' Lakers dynasty, isn't holding back his criticism. This time, his ire is directed towards the Boston Celtics, who find themselves trailing 1-0 following their surprising loss to the New York Knicks.
"You live by the three, die by the three," Johnson chimed on social media, referencing the Celtics' reliance on three-pointers that eventually toppled their strong start. The game saw the Celtics fire a record-breaking 60 three-pointers, missing a staggering 45 of them.
New York seized the early advantage, buoyed by standout performances from Jalen Brunson (29 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (13 rebounds). Although Boston shot a disappointing 35.1% from the floor, their dreary 25% success rate from beyond the arc was more damning. In comparison, the Knicks showcased a sparkling 45.9% from downtown.
It was Boston's insistence on long-range shooting, even when it dragged their performance down the stretch, that caught fans' ire.
"They forced so many 3s down the stretch," tweeted a fan. "Can't stand that brand of basketball."
"Now they have to play real basketball," echoed another. "Tell em unc!!!"
"Horrible coaching job," pointed out a third.
Despite the criticisms, it remains to be seen whether the Celtics will abandon their long-range ways as they prepare for Game 2. Boston ranked among the top league teams in terms of three-point attempts during the regular season and boasted impressive accuracy (36.8%), a recipe that brought them three NBA titles. With a 2023-24 world championship trophy under their belts, the Celtics might stick to their guns, riding the wave of their long-range shooting legacy despite the setback.
Meanwhile, the Lakers—Johnson's old team—faced an early exit this season, losing to Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. While their historic rivalry adds a dash of spice to Johnson's comments, the Celtics hold one more NBA Finals ring (18) over the Lakers (17).
- Magical Johnson, formerly of the 'Showtime' Lakers, admonished the Boston Celtics on social media for their heavy reliance on three-pointers, which he felt led to their disappointing loss to the New York Knicks.
- Comments flooded in from fans disgruntled about Boston's insistence on long-range shooting that brought them 45 missed three-pointers during the game.
- One fan voiced their displeasure, tweeting, "They forced so many 3s down the stretch, can't stand that brand of basketball," while another echoed the sentiment, saying, "Now they have to play real basketball, tell em unc!!!"
- A third fan accused the Celtics' coaching staff of a poor job, claiming that the focus on three-pointers dragged their performance down the stretch.
- Regardless of the criticisms, it is uncertain if the Celtics will shift away from their three-point-focused gameplay, considering their regular-season record for three-point attempts and high accuracy (36.8%), a strategy that has earned them three NBA titles.
