Boston’s Courtside Celebrities Illustrate City’s Stark Difference From L.A.

by

Jun 9, 2010

One of the things that makes the Lakers-Celtics rivalries special is the stark differences of the two cities involved.

Los Angeles represents the epitome of Hollywood culture, a place where sometimes the story of who shows up courtside can seem as important as the action on the court itself.

In Boston, most of the celebrities aren't TV personalities or movie actors. They tend to be sporting legends of the past. The simple fact is that Boston is not Tinseltown. Boston is a sports town where players serve as the main celebrities.

The difference can be seen at the games.

Not counting Jack Nicholson, who is as diehard as you can get, courtside at the Staples Center looks a lot more like a red carpet. Led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, Sylvester Stallone, Will Ferrell, Andy Garcia and Steven Spielberg, Lakers fans also include the Kardashians, the reality show family, one of whom happens to be a Laker wife.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the courtside seats at the TD Garden are packed with legends past and present. Tom Brady and Wes Welker represent the Patriots, while Celtics legends John Havlicek and Bob Cousy watch the new generation of Celtics greats shoot for an 18th championship.

If anything, the contrast in celebrity scenes reflects the mentalities of the cities. Boston, a blue-collar city at heart, appreciates its sports stars who put in a hard day's work. In L.A., it's all about the glitz and glamour, a matter of who's who and where they are.

It's a difference that adds another level to the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It's a distinction that even manages to separate itself from the other big rivalry in Boston.

If you want proof, just ask a Celtics fan what they think of L.A. Chances are it won't be very nice.

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