At the end of the 2000s, Kevin Garnett's Celtics and Dwight Howard's Magic were engaged in great battles in the playoffs. The two franchises were fighting to compete in the NBA finals, nothing less…
Today, the Magic and the C's are once again back at the top of the Eastern Conference, and their dormant rivalry has suddenly been awakened through microphones, straddling several generations of scoring leaders, specialists in hot shots on the way out. of bench. Namely, retired and former Celtic champion, Eddie House and Orlando's luxury sixth man, Cole Anthony.
An intergenerational spat
The latter still has not swallowed a statement from House. Having become a TV consultant on NBC, the former Boston energizer did not hold back from criticizing the Magic, still among the dunces of the League last year.
“He was talking about us at the start of last season when we played Boston twice, and he basically called us a shit team”Anthony recently recalled on ESPN's Zach Lowe podcast. “Even today, we remember it and we take it to heart. Especially when we play against Boston. They have a big team but it will always be a separate match. »
For his part, House sticks to his positions. For him, his statements from last season were completely legitimate. Because they are well and truly anchored in reality!
“Let me get out my notes.” I said, “They have 10 wins. They're still shit. They are not a good basketball team. They’re not going to make the playoffs, or even the play-in.” That's what I said, and I didn't say anything incorrect. It’s all true”keeps House in MassLive. “They are one of the best teams in the East [maintenant]. But I promise you that's how we talk about bottom-ranked teams. We talk like that in the locker room. On this one, they are on edge. »
A most unlikely source of motivation
Even more, House laughs quietly thinking that the young Magic troupe has made him their source of motivation to come back stronger and silence the critics, of whom he has unwittingly become the paragon.
“I haven’t played since 2011 and I’m the one motivating them? There is a problem there! “, House smiled. “Now, if that's really the case, I managed to get the best out of it and they should thank me and maybe give me a percentage of their contract because they're playing better than ever. »
The first to recognize that he played in “shit teams”, like the Clippers with Elton Brand, Corey Maggette or even Quentin Richardson, House simply wanted to emphasize that the mayonnaise did not take effect last year in Orlando.
Which is no longer the case this season, with Jamahl Mosley making it one of the best defenses in the NBA. And an attack in progress around its two versatile superstars, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
“It wasn't really a criticism of the players, or even their coach. But they did not have the right collective cohesion. Likewise, it's nothing personal against Cole Anthony. I love his number, 50. In the end, I made simple observations which were verified. They didn't make the playoffs and were one of the worst teams in the League. This year, they are good, they play fast. They fight. If I'm the one who motivated them to play like that, they should hug me every time I pass him. »
