The NBA or National Basketball Association is the benchmark in basketball.
In addition to franchise budgets and media exposure, the level far exceeds that of the best leagues outside American borders. This gave rise to some memorable confrontations.
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The meetings between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers undoubtedly remain the most legendary in NBA history. This duel opposes the two most successful franchises, seventeen for the Bostonians against sixteen for the Californians. This historic rivalry began in the late 1950s before the Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. Then, the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson only fueled it during the 1980s. They are among the best basketball players in the league. More than just a match, the confrontation between these two teams even symbolized a battle between two cities: Boston, an austere city in the Northeast, against Los Angeles, the capital of the Californian dream. This rivalry transcended sport to become a true cultural phenomenon, which will forever mark the history of the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons also marked the 1980s and 1990s. The two franchises then had two exceptional playmakers in their ranks with Magic Johnson on one side and Isiah Thomas on the other. During this period, they clashed many times. In the regular season as in the playoffs, tension was at its peak. The matches were played at high intensity. On the courts, this translated into genius actions and spectacular movements. This duel of titans, often nicknamed “Showtime vs. Bad Boys,” helped popularize the NBA and left an indelible mark on the league’s history.
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
Among the notable duels in the NBA is the one between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. If you attend a New York basketball game between these franchises, the tension still remains palpable today. Their rivalry really began in 1993. The New Yorkers won the first round of the playoffs, marked by the altercation between John Starks and Reggie Miller. The first headbutted the second. However, the Indiana shooter left his mark with his eight points in twenty seconds.
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Chicago Bulls saw Michael Jordan evolve within their ranks. He is considered by many to be the best basketball player of all time. To stop him, his opponents often resorted to intimidating maneuvers. The Bad Boys of Detroit, for example, established the Jordan Rules to reduce its impact on the courts. The meetings between the Bulls and the Pistons thus turned into trench warfare. To this day, Michael Jordan still has fierce hatred for Isiah Thomas.
