The Magic's Back

Magic is back in L.A. running the show. He's calling the shots, he's the man once again. And as a lifetime Bostonian I love it.

It is the next step towards a Boston- L.A. reunion. He's already hired Michael Cooper as an assistant. That's another step in the right direction.

I can see it a few years down the line. Picture the scene.

Magic has turned the program around. The Lakers are challenging for the World Championship once again. Paula Abdul has returned as a Laker girl.

Sitting beside Magic on the bench, along with Cooper, are James Worthy and Kareem Abdul Jabaar. Kareem's unsucessful attmept at a movie career--there are only so many Airplane movies that can be made--has convinced him it's time to join the coaching ranks.

The first game of the finals are about to begin at the Fabulous Forum. Newly-appointed head janitor Kurt Rambiss has the place sparkling clean.

At the other end of the floor are the Boston Celtics.

A quick glance over to the bench reveals that Chris Ford is no longer coaching. After a mental breakdown following the 1993-94 season he was bumped upstairs to become the Celtics' 33rd Vice President.

In his place stands a tall, blond-haired Indianan named Larry Bird. After a few grueling years in the front office, he's decided to jump back into the battlefield.

He's calling out instructions to Glenn Robinson.

"Come on Glenn, you gotta work harder out there. After three back operations and 38 years of life, I could still whip your butt."

Sitting beside Bird are Robert Parish and Dennis Johnson.

Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale call the games on Channel 38. Heinsohn and Cousy have since been promoted to the top spot on Candlepin Bowling on Saturday afternoons.

Parish is back in Boston for one final year. At the age of 44, he has decided to call it quits at the end of the season.

Boston picked him up for the stretch run after Juwan Howard went down with an injury. He has played like he was 20 again, crediting his rejuvination to a Bob Marley training regimen in the off-season.

The pre-game shoot-arounds are over and Larry and Magic move towards each other for a word before the game.

As they meet at the center stripe, Magic leans over to kiss Larry but decides that Isiah Thomas, who is in the crowd, might become jealous. Instead they shake hands and wish each other good luck. It's a quick meeting, for they're opponents once again. There will be plenty of time after the game for a little reminising.

The game remains close and in the end...well it doesn't really matter who wins the game (although we know the probable outcome).

What matters is that the old Celtics and Lakers are back together again battling for all the glory. It is what the NBA has been missing for the last few years.

The daydream ends, and a bitter taste enters the mouth.

It was just too good to be true.