At the beginning of every playoff series that Los Angeles has entered (with the exception of the Utah Jazz), Lakers’ head coach Phil Jackson has made sure that he’s given the referees a little something to think about regarding his opponents.

So, it was only fitting that he kept the tradition going in the NBA Finals.

Jackson’s usual M.O. is to find the opposing team’s superstar and expose something that he does which violates the standards of officiating.  But with a team as versatile as the Celtics, who would the Zen Master make his victim before the big stage is set?

Now, in recent years, Kevin Garnett has certainly earned his reputation as a physical player.  He had more finesse in his game during his Minnesota years – and at the time, he had much better knees as well.  But since Garnett has aged and become somewhat injury prone, he’s less speedy and more irritable.

Of course, what Jackson has failed to mention were the fifty-million elbows that Dwight Howard lets fly whenever he gets the chance.

Come on K.G., don’t try to be a professional.  We’re counting on you to fire back…after all, we are on the brink of a Boston-L.A. NBA Finals.

There’s no need to wait until Thursday to start playing games with each other.