The LA Lakers and Boston Celtics are among the most successful teams in NBA history, having won 17 championships each. The Lakers have produced some of the greatest players in NBA history, including Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant, while the Celtics are known for their tough, physical style of basketball and producing legends like Bill Russell and Larry Bird. The two teams have faced each other 12 times in the NBA Finals, with the Lakers winning 9 of those matchups. While both teams have passionate fan bases, the choice of which team is the greatest ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Lakers vs. Celtics
Introduction
LA Lakers and Boston Celtics are two of the most successful teams in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over the years, both these teams have won multiple championships, dominated the league for several seasons, and produced some of the best players to ever play the game. However, there has always been a debate among fans over which team is the greatest of all time. In this article, we will compare and contrast Lakers and Celtics, and try to determine which team stands out as the greatest.
History of Lakers
The Lakers have had a rich history in the NBA, having won 17 championships in total. They first won the championship in 1972 and went on to win 5 titles in the 1980s during the era of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The team added another three championships in the 2000s behind the efforts of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. They have also produced some of the greatest players in NBA history such as Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
History of Celtics
The Celtics are another one of the most successful teams in the NBA, having won 17 championships. They won their first title in 1957 and went on to build a dynasty in the 1960s led by Bill Russell, winning a staggering 8 championships in a row from 1959-1966. The team added another five titles in the 1970s behind the likes of John Havlicek and Dave Cowens. The Celtics also produced some of the best players to ever play the game such as Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek, and Bob Cousy.
Head to Head Comparison
Lakers and Celtics have faced each other in the NBA Finals a total of 12 times, with the Lakers winning 9 of those finals. The most recent matchup between the two teams took place in the 2010 NBA Finals, where the Lakers defeated the Celtics in a thrilling seven-game series. Overall, Lakers have won more championships than the Celtics, although both teams have a rich history of success.
Playing Style
The Lakers have been known for their fast-paced, high-scoring offense over the years. They have produced some of the best offensive players in NBA history such as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Magic Johnson. The team has always focused on entertaining the fans by providing high-scoring games filled with fast breaks, alley-oops, and flashy dunks.
The Celtics, on the other hand, are known for their tough, physical brand of basketball. They have always relied heavily on defense and team play to win games. The team has produced some of the best defensive players in NBA history such as Bill Russell, Kevin McHale, and Dennis Johnson. The Celtics play a more methodical style of basketball, focusing on ball movement, intelligent cuts, and patient offense.
Fan Base
Both Lakers and Celtics have a massive fan following all over the world. However, Lakers are more popular on the west coast of America, while the Celtics have a stronger following on the east coast. Both teams have passionate fans who support them no matter what and are willing to travel long distances to see them play.
Conclusion
Both Lakers and Celtics have had incredible success over the years, each winning 17 championships. However, when it comes to head-to-head matchups, Lakers have a clear advantage, having defeated the Celtics 9 times in the NBA Finals. Lakers are also known for their high-scoring offense, while Celtics rely more on their defensive prowess. At the end of the day, the choice of which team is the greatest ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both teams are legends in their own right and have contributed immensely to the growth and popularity of the NBA.