``It definitely can approach that,'' Johnson said of the hoopla. ``I think the excitement is just like the old days, no question about it. And we know that the (2008 Finals) series was tremendous. But I think this is a game really for the Lakers to prove something to themselves, because the Celtics proved they're tough, they're physical.

``I think this is about the Lakers. The Lakers have to prove to the Celtics and to themselves that they can handle the physical play of the Celtics, which I thought (the Celtics) dominated the Lakers with their physical play. They also took the Lakers out of what they wanted to run. And then I think that last beating that they took by 39 points, that should have left a sour taste in the Lakers' mouth.

``I've been closed out, but at least we put up a fight. We were fighting to the end. To me, that was an embarrassment for the Lakers, and those guys have got to come out and really prove something to themselves and show the league that they are really ready to challenge the Celtics. Because right now, the Celtics really believe that the Lakers can't beat them. So it's all about the Lakers on Christmas Day.''

Magic then touched on the Celtics' confidence and the fact that center Andrew Bynum, missing from the Finals with an injury, is back in the LA middle.

``The Celtics know that they've got something over the Lakers and when you know that, you come in with confidence,'' he said. ``So I'm really excited to see - with Bynum being in there, because that was all the talk - and now we get a chance to see with him being in the lineup and these two powerhouses going toe to toe on the most special day in the world. It's going to be, wow, it's almost like I'm sweating now.''

Speaking on a teleconference to promote the game's broadcast, Magic didn't want to bite the hand feeding him. But you can tell he doesn't necessarily believe newer is better when it comes to Celtics-Lakers.

``I would say you have to remember who was in the game at that time. I mean, Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, Robert Parish. They're all Hall of Famers,'' said Johnson. ``Dennis Johnson should be in the Hall of Fame, and I hope that they put him in here soon. But then you had great role players. I mean, Danny Ainge was tremendous at spacing the floor. Scott Wedman. Bill Walton could still block shots and make passes. Quinn Buckner. (Cedric) `Cornbread' Maxwell. That was a tremendous team. That front line . . . I still haven't seen a front line that was as dominant.

``Then on our side the same thing. There's so many Hall of Famers and so many guys who their will to win was very high. We all bought in to the style that we were going to play. They were the best halfcourt team; we were the best running team. So we collided. They were from the East; we were from the West.

``So do I think it's the same intensity? Yes, it is. Is it the same hate? Not quite yet because they haven't faced each other (enough). But I think it's getting there. There was a lot of dislike there, so that's what makes a rivalry. And I think Christmas Day you're going to see a lot of that. So is it the same? Of course, because it's still Boston vs. the Lakers, superstars on both sides. (Paul) Pierce and (Kevin) Garnett and Ray Allen - oh, my goodness, that's a tremendous threesome. And then on our side now with (Pau) Gasol and Kobe (Bryant). You've got that same star power. You've got that same hatred for each other and then you've got great coaches on both sidelines. I thought Doc Rivers was just tremendous.''

Bottom line?

``It's getting there,'' Johnson said. ``It's not there yet, but it's getting there. And I'm just happy that the rivalry is back. I think everybody in Basketball is happy that it's back, as well. The casual fan or the fan that left the NBA is now back because of that tremendous series that we saw last summer and spring.''

And as much as it pains his purple-and-gold heart, Magic gives the nod to the Green at this time.

``The Celtics are playing better on both ends of the court,'' he said. ``You can just tell that they really want to repeat. The Lakers have been struggling big time on the defensive end, so they've got a lot of work to do to come up to where the Celtics are.''

A moveable feast

The Celtics are happy with their current roster. To a point. It's clear from their pursuit of Antonio McDyess and their interest in Dikembe Mutombo that the organization believes it still needs help inside.

``Whenever you can add talent and a veteran at that spot, it's going to be a good thing,'' Rivers said. ``But I'm not out looking at the waiver wire every day. I can tell you that. I don't worry about it at all. I like our team as it is right now. but if we can improve it, we're going to do that.''

And if the Celts can do it by adding a player who already knows the system, so much the better. In other words, they're still tracking P.J. Brown on GPS. His number is still on Rivers' contact list.

``Well, I keep it anyway just because I like staying in touch with him,'' the Celtics coach said. ``It's funny. When I call him now, I always say I'm not calling to recruit you - yet.''

Rivers and the Celtics seem to be well aware that the world changes in the postseason, and a veteran who knows how to navigate such waters is of great value.

``Yeah, the playoffs are a different beast,'' Rivers said. ``I think if P.J. didn't prove that last year, no one has proved it. It was a great example of what just his presence and his calm and his knowhow can do for a team. You can't replace that.''

By the way, McDyess now says it wasn't a lock that he was going back to the Pistons.

``I had to look at every option. I didn't think I looked good in green and white for one thing,'' he said in reference to the Celts. ``I felt more comfortable here and playing on a team I'm familiar with. I wanted to end my career here. I don't want to be jumping from team to team chasing that ring. The ring is not guaranteed. Even if I went to the best team in the league - Boston, the Lakers, whoever - I just feel like anything can happen in the playoffs. I know that and I know this team. Anything can happen.''

A Knick that cuts

The message to NBA coaches is clear. If you want to keep your job, you'd better beat New York.

Sacramento's Reggie Theus became the second coach to face the firing squad immediately after falling to the Knicks, with Washington's Eddie Jordan starting the trend late last month. Oklahoma City's P.J. Carlesimo had to wait eight days after losing to them before he was let go.

New York coach Mike D'Antoni got off a good one, saying, ``Just because the Knicks beat somebody, they have to fire the coach?''

He was a bit more serious when he added, ``We all know it's a tough business. Half the teams lose, the other half win. Everybody wants to win. There's going to be overachievers or underachievers. I don't think it's a reflection on his coaching, it's a reflection on, `We've got to do something.' I think there's less patience. I just think everybody just wants to do better.''

All the firings have had an effect on the seniority ladder. Kevin McHale took over the Timberwolves on Dec. 8, and with Theus and Maurice Cheeks gone since then he's looking like a graybeard.

``In a few weeks, I'll be up there with (Jerry) Sloan,'' he cracked.

Fiddlin' and diddlin'

Pierce, Garnett and Allen already have their nickname, and we've referred to Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins as the Other Two. So let's make it official - The Big Three and The OT. . . .

The more Pierce talks about the NBA season as a marathon, the more we think Ainge ought to see if Robert Cheruiyot has any range on his jumper. . . .

Looking for a nice holiday gift or just a great read? Check out ``Minestrone for the Mobster's Soul.'' Subtitled ``Life Lessons from the Movie Mafia,'' it weaves a great tale. Authors are Bulls assistant coach Bob Oceipka and his cousin Bruno, under the pen names Bobby Madura and Joey DiBruno. . . .

Nobody wins unless everybody wins.

- sbulpett@bostonherald.com