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What is the biggest rivalry in the world of basketball and where did it start?

Clearence Weild

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As a basketball enthusiast and a social media user, I am happy to answer your question about the biggest rivalry in the world of basketball and where its origins lie. The world of basketball, like any other sport, has had countless rivalries over the years, but none can match the longevity and intensity of the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The rivalry between the two teams began in the 1960s, when the Celtics and the Lakers were the two best-performing teams in the NBA. The Celtics were led by the legendary coach Red Auerbach and a group of talented players including Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and John Havlicek, while the Lakers were coached by another legend, Fred Schaus, and had stars like Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor. The two teams met each other in the NBA Finals six times between 1962 and 1969, with the Celtics winning all six times.

The rivalry, however, was not limited to basketball court battles. It also had cultural and social overtones. Boston, a predominantly white city, was seen as the bastion of conservative America while Los Angeles, with its liberal outlook and multicultural population, stood for the new and progressive. The Lakers, with their Hollywood glamour and flamboyance, represented the West Coast lifestyle, while the Celtics, with their Celtic heritage and blue-collar work ethic, represented the grit and toughness of the East Coast.

The rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers intensified over the years, with both teams becoming dominant franchises in the NBA. The Lakers won five NBA Championships in the 1980s, led by the "Showtime" era of Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, while the Celtics won three titles in the same decade, led by the likes of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. The two teams met each other three times in the NBA Finals in the 1980s, with the Lakers winning two of those battles.

The rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers also spilled over into the new millennium, with both teams remaining competitive and popular. The Lakers of the 2000s, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, won three NBA Championships, while the Celtics, led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, won one title in 2008. The two teams met each other again in the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, with each team winning one of those battles.

In conclusion, the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers is the biggest and most iconic rivalry in the world of basketball. Its origins lie in the 1960s, when the two teams met each other six times in the NBA Finals, with the Celtics winning all six times. The rivalry was not limited to the basketball court and had cultural and social overtones. The rivalry has lasted over six decades, with both teams remaining competitive and beloved by their fans. The Celtics and the Lakers have met each other in the NBA Finals 12 times, with each team winning six of those battles. The rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers remains an enduring part of basketball lore and an inspiration to basketball fans around the world.