BOSTON - Doc Rivers never feared trying to live up to the Celtics' mystique and demand for excellence. In fact, he welcomed it.

"When I took the job, a lot of coaches called me and said, 'Wow, why would you go there when you've got to deal with [the legacies of Larry] Bird and [Bob] Cousy and everybody else?' I actually thought that was an odd question. I thought it was good. I've always embraced it," he said.

Rivers said he made sure to write letters to all ex-Celtics and welcome them to games, practices and remain a part of the family. Rivers is a huge basketball fan and he's enjoyed meeting all the Celtic legends, many of whom were on hand last night.

"It's been great for me, personally getting to know some of the legends," he said. "I had never met John Havlicek until I became the coach of the Celtics, and he's always been one of my favorite players."

Playing big

Kendrick Perkins enjoyed a big conference final series against Detroit when he averaged 9.3 points and 9.2 rebounds. The Celtics are hoping for more of the same, plus his usual aggressive defense, against the Lakers' Pau Gasol.

"Perk has been tremendous the last four games, and he's really kind of taken his game to a different level as far as his focus," said Rivers. "His rebounding focus, to me, sets his game up and then that leads him to the defense and to all the other little things. I think when he has that single-minded focus that anytime someone shoots it's his ball, I think he becomes a better player overall."

Gutting it out

Tony Allen's injured ankle has healed enough for the Celtics to activate him.

"I'm glad he can go. We're still not sure how much he can give us, and if we need him, we'll use him," said Rivers. "You know, the rotation we've used to get here is probably the one we'll stay with for the most part, unless we feel we need him. If we need him, you'll know, because that means Kobe [Bryant] is playing extremely well."

Respect already earned

The Celtics' James Posey and the Lakers' Gasol were teammates in Memphis in 2004-05 and Gasol enjoyed the Celtics' super-sub's talents.

"We played together two years in Memphis. He made a huge difference on our team," Gasol said. "The first day he got there when he signed, he just made a big difference." Asked what Posey would bring to the team, Gasol answered with specifics that ring true to Celtic fans.

"He provided us with defense and hard work. He does all the little things," he said. "That year we were able to turn around from 20-something wins to, I think, we got 50 that year. So obviously he was a big part of that success, and I respect him a lot. He's a great piece to have on your team to be able to get to this level and be successful at it, just like he was in Miami, and he's doing the same thing here."

Hometown support

The Patriots were out in force to support the Celtics. Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Kevin Faulk and Randy Moss were all sitting near the court. Bruschi and his family have choice seats, right next to the Lakers' bench.

Sen. John Kerry and Red Sox owner John Henry were also in the house.

Using the disrespect card

The Celtics have certainly noticed that while their fans, and a bulk of the New England media, like their chances in the series the national media does not. This despite the fact that the Celts had the NBA's best regular-season record and swept the Lakers in two meetings during the season.

"It's a free country. Everyone is entitled to their opinion," said P.J. Brown. "That's why you go out and play the games."

Rivers said he certainly will use the underdog card through the series.

"They do care. You can use it, but at the end of the day you've got to play basketball," he said. "Whether they pick you or don't, you still have to play basketball. But you can actually use it. Guys take it personal, they do. They understand that eight out of 10, nine out of 10 people have picked the Lakers. Whatever."