This season’s NBA Finals are not only for the participants, it’s for the history of the league.The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics match-up is a dream contest for the fans, the NBA and the former players- especially the ones from these respective teams.The franchises historical players of the Lakers and Celtics- living and able- are attending the games and during the Finals, children will ask, “Who is that?”This will be the perfect time to share with children the history of the NBA and the players who made the league great.
The Lakers and Celtics franchises built this league. Of the 62 NBA Finals, including this series, the Lakers and Celtics have combined to win half of them (Lakers with 14 titles and Celtics with 16 titles).The Lakers and Celtics also combined for 54 appearances in the Finals (30 appearances for the Lakers and 22 for the Celtics).
Playing for the Lakers and Celtics is special because of the legends that have competed throughout it’s history. Without great players, there are no great teams or traditions.Players like Boston’s Bill Russell, KC Jones, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White, Larry Bird to Laker greats Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain & Magic Johnson to name a few resonate thru NBA history.In the future a new list of great players will be mentioned in the Lakers and Celtics’ history.Players like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce for the Celtics and for the Lakers, Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol- probably- and the remarkable Kobe Bryant, who is the first MVP of the league to reach the Finals since San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan.
The Lakers and Celtics have not only filled the record books, but have provided classic memories as well. Classic video footage such as Magic’s running sky hook, the Kareem/Bird argument, Bird’s towel waving, the falls and brawls, and many more are a part of history.With two games down and the Celtics leading the series 2-0, there have been some new memories to add to the list. In Game 1 Pierce is carried out off the floor, then moments later runs back onto the court and hits two big shots, Garnett’s two-hand put back jam over Gasol, Gasol backing Garnett down in the post for a dunk, and Leon Powe’s power jams.While Powe is not a big name yet, his performance will be remembered for a lifetime – especially by Celtics fans.
As the series shifts to Los Angeles, the competition promises to get bigger and brighter.The stars and legends will come out and history will continue to be created.There are countless legends of the NBA that did not play for the Lakers and Celtics like Michael Johnson, Oscar Robinson and Earl Monroe, all who earned their status in the league.But when a player puts on a Lakers or Celtics jersey, they represent legends before them.
