There may be no greater rivalry in the NBA than the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. The two franchises have the most titles in the league and have had many head-to-head battles in the regular season and in the NBA Finals.
The latest installment of the rivalry came back in the 2008 and 2010 when the teams faced off in the finals, with each team taking a championship. A chance for a third matchup could take a while as both teams will struggle to even reach the postseason this year. The Lakers struggles are tied to injuries, especially star shooting guard Kobe Bryant, while the Celtics difficulties come with the loss of players in a blockbuster trade this past off-season. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were traded to the Brooklyn Nets back in July.
According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Laker guard Kobe Bryant shared his feelings about the trade:
Absolutely, he said recently after a Lakers practice that went on without him and his fractured left knee. It was tough to see that happen. I mean, going against Paul and KG, Lakers-Celtics? That’s good basketball.
Bryant went on to say that the 2010 Finals against the Celtics was his favorite because of the competition. It took the Lakers seven games to win the title after falling to the Celtics just two seasons prior. The 35-year-old also added that he loves going to Boston to play and said the fans are “incredible”. Bryant admitted that the rivalry had lost some competitiveness before 2008 because the Celtics were in the midst of some tough seasons; however, once Garnett and Ray Allen were acquired, the rivalry was back to its’ competitive ways.
Out with an injury, Bryant will have to watch tonight’s game from the sidelines and will see a much different Celtics team out on the court, as well as a much different Laker team.
H/T to SlamOnline.com
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