The Rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers involves the two most storied basketballfranchises in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. It has been called the best rivalry in the NBA. The two teams have met a record twelve times in the NBA Finals, starting with their first Finals meeting in 1959. They would go on to dominate the league in the 1960s and the 1980s, facing each other six times in the 60s and three times in the 80s.
The rivalry between Bird, Johnson, and their teams contributed greatly to the success of the league during the decade; according to Bryant Gumbel, "Magic and Larry saved the NBA." In every single NBA Finals series during the 1980s, either the Lakers or the Celtics were present. The rivalry continues today with the Celtics and the Lakers.
For many, the Bird-Johnson years were the NBA's Golden Age, and there was a sad sense that it might be gone forever. But the two matchups in 2008 (Boston in six) and 2010 have reignited a nostalgic spark. This year's finals are the most watched of recent history — the first two games averaged nearly 15 million viewers, up 10 percent from last year's championship and the best opening for an NBA Finals since 2004. Let the Silver Age begin.
An Overview of how many times the Lakers and Celtics met in the NBA Finals and as of 2010, the Lakers and Celtics met 12 times. Boston has won nine and Lakers have won three.
Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics attempts to block the shot from behind of Los Angeles Lakers Leroy Ellis #25 during the 1960's game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Check out this video that shows this rivalry that occured for years:
The Rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers involves the two most storied basketballfranchises in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. It has been called the best rivalry in the NBA. The two teams have met a record twelve times in the NBA Finals, starting with their first Finals meeting in 1959. They would go on to dominate the league in the 1960s and the 1980s, facing each other six times in the 60s and three times in the 80s.
The rivalry between Bird, Johnson, and their teams contributed greatly to the success of the league during the decade; according to Bryant Gumbel, "Magic and Larry saved the NBA." In every single NBA Finals series during the 1980s, either the Lakers or the Celtics were present. The rivalry continues today with the Celtics and the Lakers.
For many, the Bird-Johnson years were the NBA's Golden Age, and there was a sad sense that it might be gone forever. But the two matchups in 2008 (Boston in six) and 2010 have reignited a nostalgic spark. This year's finals are the most watched of recent history — the first two games averaged nearly 15 million viewers, up 10 percent from last year's championship and the best opening for an NBA Finals since 2004. Let the Silver Age begin.
An Overview of how many times the Lakers and Celtics met in the NBA Finals and as of 2010, the Lakers and Celtics met 12 times. Boston has won nine and Lakers have won three.
Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics attempts to block the shot from behind of Los Angeles Lakers Leroy Ellis #25 during the 1960's game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Check out this video that shows this rivalry that occured for years:
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtics%E2%80%93Lakers_rivalry
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1996810,00.html