Introduction
The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers have a long-standing rivalry that has been going on for decades. These two teams have faced off against each other countless times, creating some of the most memorable moments in NBA history. From the legendary battles between Larry Bird and Julius Erving to the more recent matchups between Kyrie Irving and Joel Embiid, this rivalry has always been intense and exciting.
The Early Years
The Celtics and the 76ers first met in the 1950s, back when the 76ers were known as the Syracuse Nationals. The Celtics were already a dominant team at this point, having won their first NBA championship in 1957. However, the Nationals were no pushovers, and they managed to win a few games against the Celtics in their early matchups.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that the Celtics-76ers rivalry really began to heat up. This was the era of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, two of the greatest players in NBA history. The Celtics and the 76ers faced off against each other in the playoffs several times during this decade, with the Celtics usually coming out on top.
The Bird-Erving Era
The 1980s saw the emergence of two new superstars in the Celtics-76ers rivalry: Larry Bird and Julius Erving. These two players were incredibly talented and led their respective teams to multiple championships. They also had a fierce personal rivalry, with both players constantly trying to one-up each other on the court.
Some of the most memorable moments in Celtics-76ers history came during this era. One of the most famous was the “M.L. Carr Steal” game in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals, where the Celtics came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series. Another was the 1984 NBA Finals, where the Celtics defeated the 76ers in seven games to win the championship.
The Iverson Years
The 1990s and early 2000s saw a bit of a lull in the Celtics-76ers rivalry, as both teams struggled to find success on the court. However, things picked up again in the mid-2000s with the emergence of Allen Iverson. Iverson was one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the league at the time, and he led the 76ers to the playoffs several times.
One of the most memorable Celtics-76ers games during this era was Game 7 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but Paul Pierce missed a potential game-winning shot. The 76ers went on to win the game and advance to the NBA Finals.
The Modern Era
The Celtics-76ers rivalry has continued into the modern era, with both teams fielding talented rosters in recent years. In 2018, the two teams faced off in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. The series went to seven games, with the Celtics ultimately coming out on top.
One of the most exciting players in the current Celtics-76ers rivalry is Joel Embiid. Embiid is a dominant force on the court, and he has had some memorable battles with Celtics players like Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. The Celtics and the 76ers are both expected to be strong contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come, so this rivalry is likely to continue for many more seasons.
Conclusion
The Celtics-76ers rivalry is one of the most storied and intense in NBA history. From the battles between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the modern-day matchups between Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving, this rivalry has always been full of excitement and drama. Whether you’re a fan of the Celtics, the 76ers, or just a basketball fan in general, you can’t help but appreciate the history and intensity of this great rivalry.
