With the Lakers and Celtics Finals dustup in full swing, we have been hearing about their legendary rivalry ad nauseum. Well, who am I to go against the prevailing wind? So, let’s take our own walk down memory lane, as I give you my top 10 memorable Finals moments in the Lakers-Celtics rivalry. We’re going to ignore the 60’s, because nothing really happened back then, am I right Lakers fans? Besides, from what I’ve seen, most of those games were played in black & white. Booooooooring! My moments vary from a single shot, to full games, to, in one case, an entire series, but all were critical to the whole of the rivalry. So come along with me, peeps, as we hook up with Doc Brown and his trusty DeLorean, and dip all the way back to the 80’s, with Magic Johnson’s “Showtime” Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics. And if you think I forgot something, well I’d like to hear from you, tough guy!

Honorable Mentions

1979 NCAA Championship Game – Indiana State vs. Michigan State

The rivalry that would save the NBA really began here, as Magic and his Michigan State Spartans defeated Larry and his Indiana State Sycamores 75-64 in the most-watched NCAA final ever, drawing first blood in the rivalry that would resume in the NBA.

1984 Finals, Game 5 – “Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It Just Me?”

In an apparent homage to some of Red Auerbach’s old shenanigans, game 5 is played in oppressive, inhumane heat, with the temperature reaching close to 100 degrees. . . . INSIDE the rickety old Boston Garden. In a memorable scene, players are given oxygen on the bench. I’m not kidding. It’s a good thing that, back then, the players wore “Daisy Dukes.”

10. 1987 Finals, Game 6 – “Big Game James”

With the Lakers holding a slim lead early in the second half, and the Celtics in   possession, the Lakers forced a loose ball, with James Worthy and Larry Bird in pursuit as the ball rolled towards the sideline. Worthy dove, saving the ball to a streaking Magic Johnson for a breakaway dunk that energized the crowd and the Lakers, who closed the series with a 106-93 win.

9. 1984 Finals, Game 4 – “The Best Things In Life AREN’T Free”

With a chance to put their foot on the throat of the Celtics and take a 3-1 lead at home, the Lakers, leading by 5 with less than a minute to play, instead self-destruct. First, James Worthy misses two free throws late in regulation. After the first, Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell walks into the lane and gives the choke sign. Then, in the midst of perhaps his worst postseason series ever (more on this later), Magic Johnson missed two free throws late in overtime, helping the Celtics steal the game 129-125, and tie the series 2-2.

8. 1984 Finals, Games 1-7 – “Tragic Johnson”

Magic Johnson’s playoff pedigree and reputation belie this series, in which Johnson made several costly miscues; dribbling out the clock at the end of regulation in a game 2 overtime loss, a critical turnover late in regulation and two missed free throws in overtime of game 4, and worst of all, crucial turnovers on consecutive possessions with less than two minutes to play in game 7. Johnson later said that this series lingered with him all summer. Gee . . . . . ya’ think?!?

7. 1985 Finals, Game 4 – “He’s The DJ. . .”

Staring down the barrel of a 3-1 deficit, The Celtics instead get a big time clutch jumper from veteran point guard Dennis Johnson at the buzzer to escape with a 107-105 victory to tie the series 2-2.

6. 1984 Finals, Game 2 – “Before There Was “Big Game James,” There Was. . .”

After winning game 1 in Boston, the Lakers led game 2 113-111 with 18 seconds to go, and possession of the ball. But then the “luck of the Irish” entered the fray when James Worthy threw an inexplicably lazy pass in the backcourt, which was picked off by reserve Gerald Henderson, who drove for a layup to tie the game, forcing overtime, where the Celtics eventually prevailed 124-121 to even the series 1-1.

5. 1985 Finals, Game 1 – “The Memorial Day Massacre”

After practically giving away the 1984 series, the Lakers were juiced to get another chance against the Celtics, and promptly went out and laid an egg that Super Chicken would have been proud of, as they were completely outplayed, out-muscled, out-hustled, and any other “out” you can think of, losing game 1 148-114 at Boston Garden. For emphasis, Celtics “legend” Scott Wedman pimped the Lakers to the tune of 11-for-11 from the floor.

4. 1985 Finals, Game 2 – “Once More, With Feeling”

After a game 1 performance in which he basically disappeared to the tune of 12 points and 3 rebounds in a 34-point Celtic drubbing, Lakers captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was pilloried, excoriated and condemned in the media, with the whispers that perhaps he was finished becoming loud declarations. In response “Cap” responded with 30 points and 17 boards in a game 2 109-102 win at Boston on his way to a Finals MVP award.

3. 1985 Finals, Game 6 – “I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost!”

Leading the series 3-2 going back to Boston, the Lakers, nevertheless, had to answer myriad questions about whether they could finally expunge the ghosts of yesteryear. The answer was an equivocal “yes,” as the Lakers, led by Jabbar’s MVP performance, finally got the monkey off their backs by winning 111-100. In the aftermath, an elated Jerry Buss told CBS’ Brent Musburger “this trophy removes the most odious sentence in the English language. It can never be said again that "the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics.”

2. 1984 Finals, Game 4 – “We’re No Sissies!”

After Larry Bird upbraided his teammates following a game 1 loss, calling them sissies, the series got progressively more physical, culminating in one of the most famous scenes in Finals history, as Kurt Rambis was positively leveled by Kevin McHale on a fastbreak dunk attempt. In today’s NBA, McHale would have been suspended longer than Kermit Washington for a foul like that. But, no lay-ups in the playoffs, I always say.

1. 1987 Finals, Game 4 - “Junior, Junior Skyhook”

With the Lakers down 106-105 with seconds to play, in one of the seminal moments in Lakers history, an image that has been seen countless times on NBA TV, ESPN Classic and Fox Sports West, Magic Johnson dribbled to his right into the lane from about the free throw line extended and threw up a game-winning “junior-skyhook” over the outstretched arms of Kevin McHale and “The Chief” Robert Parish to give the Lakers the 107-106 win and a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

Again if you think I forgot something, well I’d like to hear from you, tough guy!