Reference to the Lakers and the Celtics...

Well Boston is in New England which is where some of the first white settlers, namely the English Pilgrims, landed in order to start a new world. Add to that the fact that Boston has been for decades the place where Derek's 'flourishing Europeans' settled. He considers LA to be a haven for Blacks and Hispanics and as a fan of basketball is more inclined to support a team from a historically and culturally white part of the country rather than a team from an area he thinks is ravaged with what he considers unsavory immigration. His new friend may think the opposite or just being from LA he just likes the Lakers. It really doesn't take a lot of thinking through.

Yours sincerely, General Joseph Liebgott

The Celtic Lakers rivalry during the eighties and early nineties was seen as a sub-conscious euphemism for racism.
Boston had all the white players like Bird, McHale, Ainge, Kleine, Walton etc. whilst L.A. had players like Magic, Worthy, Green, Scott, Jabbar.

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The documentary on Magic and Bird "A Courtship of Rivals" gives a good rundown on the racial aspects of the Magic/Lakers-Bird/Celtics rivalry.

The reference to Lakers & Celtics was simply to demonstrate the friendship and common interests between the skinhead Derek and the Negro Lamont. They were have a friendly conversation, despite their skin colors. One of the events that helps pull Derek away from racism