Lakers-76ers rivalry
The Lakers–76ers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers.[1] The two teams met four times in the NBA Finals in a 22 year span with the Lakers three of the series meetings and the 76ers winning a Finals series against the Lakers only in their 1983 Finals matchup.
Series history[edit]
The Lakers and 76ers have met 313 times in the NBA regular/postseason; as of August 2018 the Lakers currently lead the series 145-134.[2]
Finals history[edit]
The Lakers and 76ers met three times in four years in the early 1980s when both teams, along with the Boston Celtics were near the top of the league in that span.[1]
1980 NBA Finals[edit]
In 1980, the Lakers and 76ers met in the NBA Finals for the first time. The series was notable for Magic Johnson's MVP Finals performance in what was his rookie season.[3] Lakers star and 1979-80 League MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar injured his ankle in Game 5 of the series and thus missing the clinching Game 6 that the Lakers won in Philadelphia. The Lakers won the series 4-2 against the 76ers.[4]
1982 NBA Finals[edit]
The Lakers and 76ers met again in the NBA Finals two years later.[5] There were 'Something to Prove' documentary recaps during these finals which was the last time that the NBA used video documentary to film exclusive on court content. The 76ers blew a 15 point, 3rd quarter lead to the Lakers in Game 1 of the finals due to the Lakers' trapping defense.[5] This blown lead didn't affect the 76ers immediately as they took Game 2 at home from the Lakers. Los Angeles won the next 3 out of 4 games to defeat the 76ers in the 1982 NBA Finals due to Magic Johnson once again putting on MVP performances.[5]
1983 NBA Finals[edit]
One year after the Lakers won their second NBA Finals series against the 76ers, the two teams met again in the 1983 NBA Finals. Philadelphia swept the Laker 4-0 due in large part to the performance of 76ers center Moses Malone who won the Finals MVP.[6][7] The closest the Lakers came to victory was in Game 1 which they lost by six points.
2001 NBA Finals[edit]
In the 2001 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers met the Philadelphia 76ers. [8]. The 76ers were on a hot streak and won the first game of the series due the offense of Allen Iverson and the defense of Dikembe Mutombo. After the Lakers won Game 2 of the series, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant promised to 'cut the hearts out' of the 76ers in Philadelphia. Bryant's father Joseph played for the 76ers and Kobe was partially raised in Philadelphia.[9]
During the Game 3 matchup in Philadelphia, the Lakers took control of the series, with Kobe Bryant scoring a third of the Lakers points. Los Angeles put the series away in Game 5 thanks in part to Shaquille O'Neal's 29 points and 13 rebounds. O'Neal would lake be named MVP of the 2001 NBA Finals.[10]
Future of the rivalry[edit]
Some feel that with Lebron James addition to the Lakers and the 76ers young core of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Markelle Fultz and others that the rivalry may be resumed in the 2020s. [11] Moreover, some makings of this future rivalry have begun to materialize.[12][13]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "76ers-Lakers matchup is shadow of former rivalry". Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers All-Time Head-to-Head Record in the NBA". Land of Basketball. Land of Basketball. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "ARMS AND THE MAN". Sports Illustrated. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Magic! Lakers win title". St Petersburg Times (page 22). Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Lakers' Arduous Season Ends in Victory". NBA. NBA. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Comebacks are common in Philadelphia". ESPN. ESPN. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Moses Malone, Three-Time NBA MVP, Dead at 60". Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Effortless Won't Do It for Lakers". LA Times. LA Times. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ ""Kobe visits former school to say hi, 'smell the gym'". ESPN. ESPN. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Shaquille O'Neal's Top Playoff Moments". NBA. NBA. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "The Sixers v.s. Lakers rivalry is heating up because of LaVar Ball". Sixer Sense. Sixer Sense. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Joel Embiid tells Ben Simmons to Dunk Over Lonzo Ball". Elite Sports NY. Elite Sports NY. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Lakers' young guns get a close look at 'The Process' in Rising Stars Challenge". LA Times. LA Times. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
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