Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Featured > Lakers News: Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra Reveals Pat Riley Still ‘Feels A Certain Way’ About Celtics
FeaturedLakers News

Lakers News: Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra Reveals Pat Riley Still ‘Feels A Certain Way’ About Celtics

Corey Hansford
Published: 05/31/2023
4 Min Read
Pat Riley, Heat, Lakers
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics is one of the greatest in all of sports history and stretches back decades. The ill wills between the two sides continue on to this day from anyone who was involved in those battles, and that includes the man who now runs the Miami Heat in Pat Riley.

Of course Riley was the coach of the Lakers during the Showtime era in the 1980s and led the Lakers to their first Finals victory over Boston. Those wars were when the Lakers-Celtics rivalry was at its peak and even though he is long removed from that time, Riley still doesn’t care for the Celtics.

This was made clear following Riley’s Heat eliminating the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra gave credit to Boston, but also revealed that he makes sure his team feels a certain way about the Celtics because Riley does.

“Let me first say this about Boston,” Spoelstra said. “I mentioned it out there to Ernie, but we tip our hat to the Celtics organization. They are first class. Pat feels a certain way about Boston, so I make sure everybody feels a certain way about Boston. That’s part of my job as the caretaker.

“With that said, there’s great respect for them as competitors. They are first class. You look across the way, just in terms of their ownership group and Brad and Joe and his coaching staff, they are good people and they are a class organization.”

It may seem like a little throwaway comment, but is just shows how deep that Lakers-Celtics rivalry ran. Riley will never like the Celtics, the city of Boston and probably the color green. In fact, some will remember just a couple of years ago Riley had a back-and-forth with then-Celtics Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, who of course played for Boston during those heated matchups in the 80s.

Obviously if the feeling hasn’t gone away for Riley by now then it never will, but it helped spark his Heat to another NBA Finals appearance.

NBA executive believes Heat’s Gabe Vincent is a good fit for the Lakers

One of the players who has been huge for Miami in their run to the NBA Finals has been Gabe Vincent. The undrafted point guard has come up with some big performances this postseason and will be able to cash in this summer as he will be an unrestricted free agent.

One NBA executive believes he would be an ideal fit for the Lakers with his ability to defend while also being a solid shooter who has proven he can deliver on the big stage when it matters most.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Erik SpoelstraLos Angeles LakersMiami HeatPat Riley
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
eric-lakers@gmail.com _

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
SAT

4

oct
Suns at Lakers
Sat, Oct 4 | 2:00 AM · Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Rd, Palm Desert, CA, USA
Suns at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
confirmation_number
MON

13

oct
Warriors at Lakers
Mon, Oct 13 | 1:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Warriors at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
THU

16

oct
Mavericks at Lakers
Thu, Oct 16 | 2:00 AM · T-Mobile Arena, 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Mavericks at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
SAT

18

oct
Kings at Lakers
Sat, Oct 18 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Kings at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
calendar_view_day
View All
See all upcoming and past events on Stanza.
Go to Stanza
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?