Are we ready for a rivalry?
No, I’m not talking about Lakers-Clippers – that thing we’ve taken for granted for six months but might not actually happen – but the other conference. Boston and Miami haven’t met in the playoffs since LeBron’s Heat beat KG’s Celtics in the 2012 conference finals, but a reservoir of bad blood remains.
They might see an awful lot of each other in the near future, too, as both seem poised to remain in the East’s elite for a while. Boston’s two best players are just 22 and 23, plus the Celtics have a clean cap and three first-round picks this year. While Miami’s tentpole star is older (Jimmy Butler turned 31 on Monday and has a wonky knee), behind him Bam Adebayo is 23 and Herro a mere pup at 20. Miami also boasts cap room and beaches, a combination that has added to its star wattage several times in the past – most recently when Butler came ashore. Both teams also have elite…
