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Albuquerque Thunderbirds coach Michael Cooper barks at his players during a practice last season. The Thunderbirds, who went on to win the NBA-Development League championship in their first season, open defense of their crown tonight against the Austin Toros.

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Whether playing lock-down defense, coaching or cracking jokes, these two have always competed.

The outcome of competition, even today, is similar to the Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Lakers rivalries of the 1980s - sometimes Michael Cooper wins, sometimes Dennis Johnson wins.

The jokes and basketball competition will resurface tonight. Cooper, a former Laker and coach of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA-Development League, plays Johnson, former Celtic and Austin Toros coach, in the season opener for both teams in Tingley Coliseum.

"We usually talk about basketball and stuff like how big we're getting as we get older," said Cooper, 50. "He looks bigger."

If Cooper talks weight, Johnson can counter with bad hairstyles.

"Let's just say it's good he cut his hair," said Johnson, referring to Cooper's baby fro from the late 1970s.

After nearly 30 years, the basketball journeys of these two men continue to intersect.

Their rivalry started in the junior college basketball scene of Southern California in the Õ70s, as Cooper's Riverside Junior College often played Johnson's Harbor College.

The Celtics and Lakers battled in three NBA Finals in the Õ80s, with Cooper's Lakers winning two (1985 and 1987) and Johnson's Celtics taking the 1984 crown.

The two combined for eight NBA titles.

Defensive intensity outlined the careers of Cooper and Johnson.

Cooper was one of Magic Johnson's henchmen; Johnson was one of Larry Bird's favorite teammates.

Their defense was infectious, as both were All-NBA defenders.

"Coop became a master at defense," said Johnson, 52. "He could run off picks better than anybody I've seen."

Despite the history, many of Cooper's own players don't have a vivid picture of how this Celtics-Lakers thing played out.

"I saw a couple of highlights in college," T-Birds guard Troy Bell said. "I remember Cooper."

Added guard Ronald Ross, a former Hobbs star: "I really don't remember Dennis Johnson."

Cooper has enough Johnson memories for his entire team - especially the time his rival scored the first dash of friendly supremacy on him.

Johnson once torched Cooper's Riverside team with 38 points and 16 rebounds, Cooper said.

Johnson is two years older, so after he was drafted in 1976 by the Seattle Supersonics, it fueled Cooper's appetite to become a pro.

"I said if he can make it, I know I can," Cooper said. "I had my heroes, but here was a guy I could touch and try to be like. He definitely inspired me. He's a big part of my career."

Now, the two make NBA history look easy, T-Birds assistant coach Joe Harge said.

"At the coaches meetings, they're like a comedic team," Harge said. "They go back and forth. You can tell they have a great relationship."

For two hours during D-League games against each other, however, Johnson isn't Cooper's buddy.

Especially since Cooper guided Albuquerque to a title last season.

"It's my turn now," Johnson said. "I'm not going to let him one-up me. But really, I'm proud of him. He's a confident guy who does his homework very well. What they did last year, Coop motivated them and pushed them to the top."

Cooper, too, wants what's best for his friend.

Always has.

"I remember when Dennis hit a game-winning shot against us once," Cooper said. "In the back of my head, even though we lost, I was happy for him."