Top 5 Rivals in Lakers History
DETROIT - APRIL 06:  (L-R) Larry Bird and Earvin 'Magic' Johnson embrace during a news conference to relive their 1979 NCAA Championship Game between Indiana State and Michigan State before the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

In 1992, Magic Johnson told Sports Illustrated, “the only time in my life I’ve ever been scared about a game was the NCAA Final and those Celtic games. After God and my father, I respect Larry Bird more than anyone.”

A rivalry as much passionate such as that of the Lakers and Celtics will forever be tough to replicate.  The question now is whether a new team will make the list in the next few years.  The obvious new kid on the block would be the Miami Heat.  As is, the Miami faithful are already sporting war chants of “beat L.A.”

But do LeBron and company have what it takes to issue a new rivalry and ignite Laker hatred?

Kobe vs. Lebron?

BEIJING - AUGUST 20:  Kobe Bryant #10 and Lebron James #6 of the United States look on from the sidelines during the men's basketball quarterfinal game against Australia at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

With a new Christmas Day match-up that replaces the Celtics with the Miami Heat, the NBA is sure poised and ready to sell it to the world.

The question is – are Lakers fans ready to buy it?

Talk about an “organized rivalry”.

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