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?
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”.