LA Lakers: Top 10 NBA Rivals All-Time
By Keith Rivas
Sacramento Kings
Oct 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) talks with guard Rajon Rondo (9) on the court in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
This rivalry isn’t at all what it used to be, but the old games are more than enough to drop the Kings off at the two spot on this list.
The 2002 playoff showdown between these teams is up there on the list of top playoff series of all-time, across all sports, no doubt. It had everything you could ask for in a match made in heaven and then some.
Probably even made some of the previous generations’ players jealous.
Toughness, exceptional smarts, quickness, buzzer beaters, attitude.
You name it — these teams had it.
It was more than just a fight for California-style supremacy; it was also a fight for how the Lakers would be defined in championship swing.
Could they handle the pressure?
Winning the series in the most brutal seven games in recent memory should speak for itself.
Next: No. 1