Public Enemy No.6

Here in Boston, we love to hate our rivals.  Perhaps we feel that as a long-time major sports hub, it’s our duty and a privilege to maintain these heated rivalries.

The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is one of the oldest and recognized rivalries in the country.  Fans from both cities indulge in the long, epic battles between these two teams.  We live for those games in October that keep children up past their bedtimes and make parents scream from the family room couch at the television while periodically hurling a miscellaneous object in the general direction of Joe Buck’s voice.                      

And how about that Bruins-Habs rivalry, eh?  The blood-stained ice reminds fans that very little separates hockey from trench warfare.  And it’s the same case with Patriots-Colts and Celtics-Lakers.  There is an unmatched, immense passion on display when these teams meet.

The sporting world is not too different from Hollywood.  For every good guy, there needs to be a bad guy.  It’s Movie-Making 101, and Boston fans are great at creating these enemies.  Over the years, many players and coaches have assumed this role atop “Boston’s Most Wanted” list.  Peyton Manning, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant, and Rex Ryan have all garnered the hatred of Bean Town fanatics over the years. 

But while I watched Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night, I determined that no one else should be more detested right now in Boston than No. 6 of the Miami Heat: LeBron James. 

“King” James has been a formidable enemy of the Celtics in years past, but back then we always had the last word.  In retrospect, the Celtics are one of the main reasons why LeBron left Cleveland.  He realized he couldn’t get through Boston without the help of another superstar (or two?).  But this year, LeBron got his revenge and sent the Celtics home in a dazed state of confusion and regret. 

So as you watch the remaining games of the Finals, including each and every smug grin and over-zealous celebration by LeBron, remember that it is your duty as a Boston sports fan to root for the Mavs.  It is your right.  Go Dirk.