Celtics need Perkins to keep his cool

LOS ANGELES -- Lakers coach Phil Jackson is known for playing mind games against opponents. But Celtics center Kendrick Perkins maintains he won't be baited into losing his cool on the court when the teams tangle in Game 1 of the NBA finals that starts on Thursday. "They might try something, but it's not going to work," Perkins said. "I've got a lot of people reminding me to stay calm, so it's pretty cool." If Perkins happens to forget and draws another technical foul, he will be given a one-game suspension. Under league rules, players automatically earn the suspension after picking up their seventh technical during the postseason. Perkins was ejected after he picked up his sixth and seventh technical fouls against the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. Upon further review, his second technical was rescinded the day after the game, leaving him with six techs heading into Thursday. Given the physical nature of his team, Celtics coach Doc Rivers believes it is "very likely" Perkins will end up being suspended. "The Lakers are saying they're going to be physical," Rivers said. "So there's going to be a double-technical in this series, and if there's a double-technical in the series, there's a very good chance it'll be with Perk involved. "That's just the way it goes. And that hurts us." Still, Rivers said he wouldn't alter his game plan. "We're not going to change who we are, and we're definitely not going to tell Perk to play any differently," Rivers said. "He needs to walk away from everything (confrontational). "But even if he does, he may still be involved in a double-tech." What rivalry? While most fans are fixated on the storied history between the Lakers and the Celtics, one of the participants in this year's NBA finals downplayed what has been one of the greatest rivalries in sports. Celtics veteran forward Rasheed Wallace, who won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, didn't find anything sexy about the matchup between the two franchises that have won a combined 32 titles, the most of any two teams in the league. "It's another game," Wallace said during the team's media session on Wednesday. "It's nothing big, nothing real special about it. "I didn't mark it on my personal calendar. We're just going out there to play. It ain't nothing personal with these guys." Lakers guard Shannon Brown, who is in his third season with the team, views the series in an entirely different manner. Given the way the Celtics muscled their way past the Lakers in six games to win the championship in 2008, Brown expects a heavyweight fight between the two teams. "I think this is going to be a rivalry for the rest of everybody's lives," Brown said. "It's real serious; it's real serious. "It's going to be a lot of pushing, a lot of cursing; a lot of fighting. A lot of mean mugs out there. It's going to be a lot of guys ready to go at it." Phil's future If Phil Jackson has decided that he won't be back to coach the Lakers next season, he hasn't told the team yet. Jackson's contract with the Lakers expires this summer and he has been coy about what his future plans are. "Coach is one of those guys that like to keep everybody off-balance," Lakers guard Shannon Brown said. "So we know his focus right now and that's to win another championship." Brown and forward Lamar Odom said that Jackson hadn't addressed them regarding next season. "He hasn't mentioned anything to me personally," Brown said. "I don't know what other guys he's talked to." Odom said it hasn't been a distraction. "I really haven't thought about it that much," Odom said. "He hasn't spoke on it so as far as we know, he's coming back. "He hasn't really said anything otherwise." Proud papa? Lakers forward Lamar Odom denied recent reports that his reality TV star wife Khloe Kardashian is pregnant with the couple's first child. Odom laughed continuously while fielding questions about Kardashian during the team's media session on Wednesday. When asked if he would confirm the news and how he felt, Odom just chuckled. "My emotions are good, but I can't confirm that," Odom said. "She always has that glow." Odom, who married Kardashian last September, has two other kids from a previous relationship. When asked if he was going to be a father again, Odom smiled. "I don't think so," Odom said. "Naaaaaw, I don't think so." So were the reports just erroneous rumors? "She hasn't told me," Odom said. "I'll probably be the first to know." Jordan returns - sort of Michael Jordan will be back on the basketball court. In a video game, anyway. The six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP will grace the cover of the NBA2K11video game that will be available on Oct. 5. Jordan, a 14-time All-Star who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last September, will be featured in the basketball simulation video game as well. "It's an honor to be featured on the cover of NBA 2K11," Jordan, the current majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, said in a statement. "I have no doubt that NBA 2K11 will be a big hit with gamers and basketball fans alike. I'm looking forward to getting back out onto the court, virtually. Let's hope they get my dunk from the foul line right."