Los Angeles Lakers: Biggest enemies of the 1980s
By Jamaal Artis
1. Boston Celtics
A rivalry was renewed, East vs. West, the Forum vs. the Garden, Showtime vs. Celtic Pride. The supremacy for the NBA in the 1980’s went through the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. The two teams combined to win 8 out of 10 titles in the decade and gave NBA fans three riveting NBA Finals series.
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Starting in 1984 the Celtics and Lakers faced off in the NBA Finals for the same time since 1969. The series hinged on a few plays that turned what could have been the Lakers first Finals win over the Lakers into more futility. In Game 2 a crucial steal sent the game into overtime that led to a Celtics win.
In game 4 Magic Johnson became “Tragic” Johnson when he threw a pass away and the Lakes blew five-point lead late and again lost in overtime. The Lakers lost the series in game seven on the Boston Garden Parquet floor as Larry Bird was named the MVP of the series.
The next year the Lakers finally broke through as they defeated the Celtics in a six-game series. Not only did they become the first Lakers team to defeat the Celtics in the NBA Finals but they became the first and thus far the only team to clinch the championship on the Celtics home court.
The Lakers were led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as he won the Finals MVP averaging 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.
The rubber match occurred in 1987 and once again the Lakers prevailed in six games. The Lakers used their fast break offense to run past a depleted Celtics team as Magic was named the Finals MVP for the third time in his career. The most remembered moment of the series occurred in Game 4 when the Lakers took a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Next: Lakers enemies of the '70s
Magic provided the winning shot when he hit hook shot over Celtics big men Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. The Lakers would clinch the title in Game 6 on the strength of Magic’s 16 points and 19 assists. It would be the last Lakers-Celtics series for 21 years.