A Rivalry For The Ages

Written by Ben Pogany

Celtics/Lakers is not the longest-standing rivalry in sports, nor is it the most hate-fueled. But purely in terms of two teams coming together to fight for the top prize in their sport, nothing even comes close. (To give some perspective, the Cardinals and Yankees have met an MLB-leading 5 World Series', while the Cowboys and Steelers have met in a league-high 3 Superbowls.) Celtics-Lakers on in a whole other hemisphere, a rivalry all the more compelling for having spanned three distinct eras. With the Celtics out ahead 9-3 in the finals, the Lakers likely won't be tipping the all time rivalry balance any time soon, that is, unless we break it down into eras. Russell & co dominated era 1, Magic edged out Bird in era 2, and in the current era, a 1-1 ties means we'll have to wait for the rubber match of the rubber match.

Era 1: 1959-1969
Boston wins 7-0

Boston’s Key 5:
Bill Russell
Bob Cousy
Tom Heinsohn
John Havlicek
KC Jones
Coach: Red Auerbach

LA’s Key 5:
Elgin Baylor
Jerry West
Gail Goodrich
Wilt Chamberlain (68-69)
Rudy Larusso
Coach: Fred Schaus

Era 2: 1984-1987
LA wins 2-1

Boston’s Key 5:
Larry Bird
Kevin McHale,
Robert Parish
Dennis Johnson
Danny Ainge
Coach: K.C. Jones

LA’s Key 5:
Magic Johnson
James Worthy
Kareem-Abdul Jabbar
Kurt Rambis
Byron Scott
Coach: Pat Riley

Era 3: 2007-Present
Tied 1-1

Boston’s Key 5:
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Ray Allen
Rajon Rondo
Kendrick Perkins
Coach: Doc Rivers

LA’s Key 5:
Kobe Bryant
Pau Gasol
Derek Fisher
Lamar Odom
Andrew Bynum
Coach: Phil Jackson