During the mid to late 1980s, the NBA world was abuzz over two cities, two teams and two players. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics were the powerhouses of the NBA. After meeting in six championship series in the 1960s, the two teams made a similar run in the 80s meeting in 1984, 1985 and 1987. Adding to the already present rivalry, two characters emerged as the figureheads of the cities and rivalry.
Perhaps the greatest basketball opposing duo (and possibly best idea for a sitcom) was Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The two were different in almost every aspect including race, height, position etc. (great for a sitcom), but the two had one glaring similarity: they could both score with ease (again, great for a sitcom). Over the three-year championship duel, Bird carried the Celtics to the championship in ’84, and Johnson and the Lakers conquered in both ’85 and ’87.
Today, as Nike famously states, “we are all witnesses” to the reincarnation of the Lakers/Celtics rivalry. However, unlike the days of Magic and Bird, the figureheads of these cities are all too alike. Only separated by four years, one inch, and 15 pounds, LeBron James and Kevin Durant are the future of the NBA Championship.
The two forwards, arguably the most productive and dynamic players in the league, are the centerpieces of the league’s most talented teams. The Miami Heat and the Oklahoma Thunder will meet in the NBA Championship at least three times over the next five years. Here is why.
The Thunder is by far the most talented team in the Western Conference. They are a scoring machine, due in large part to the outside presence and ability to drive the lane from both Durant and Russell Westbrook. Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins provide a dominant inside presence, while James Harden and others are great complementary players.
Their biggest threats are weakening. Both the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers are getting older. Dallas is not the championship team it was a year ago, and teams such as Memphis, Houston and Denver cannot surpass the middle tier. The LA Clippers will pose the largest threat in the coming years, but, as of now, they would not be able to hang in a seven game series.
The Heat will have a more tumultuous road year in and year out. While the team has the most dominant threesome in sports with James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, they have surrounded themselves with great role players, covering last year’s weaknesses.
Mario Chalmers and new addition Norris Cole provide a true point guard position for the team, while Joel Anthony has grown into his role at center. The addition of veteran Shane Battier has provided a spark for the team as well.
The Chicago Bulls and up-and-coming Philadelphia 76ers will prove difficult for the Heat to deal with in the coming years. The Boston Celtics are plagued with age, the Atlanta Hawks are only a highlight factory, and the New York Knicks cannot pass chemistry. With the defense that the Heat is playing, I doubt that any team can maintain competitiveness over a seven-game series.
So sit back, enjoy the season and know that the Thunder will be playing the Heat in the NBA Championship. My prediction is that the Heat will win in six, spurring a rivalry that will span many years to come. My more far-fetched prediction is that an ad will appear in the bottom right of the screen with two distinct men standing back to back. While they joke around, the words Magic and Larry will appear, advertising the fall’s newest sitcom.
Tyler Rigdon is a junior majoring in marketing. His column runs biweekly on Wednesdays.
