SubscribeAt the start of the 2007-08 NBA season, nobody would have thought that the league’s greatest rivals would once again face off for the title.
The Boston Celtics had just acquired two future hall-of-famers in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. General Manager brought the two superstars in separate deals in a bid to help Boston’s long time star, Paul Pierce. A lot of people questioned whether the three superstars could co-exist and gel fast enough for the Celtics to become contenders. There was also the question of whether Boston had enough support around its three stars.
Out in LA, Kobe Bryant, arguably the best player in the game today demanded a trade in the off-season. Coming into the season, there were question marks about Kobe’s ability to lead a team on his own.
Once the season started though, it was evident that the Celtics were on a mission. They ran roughshod over the rest of the NBA to finish with the best record. The Lakers meanwhile started well, but became much better with the arrival of Pau Gasol mid-season. They finished the regular season strongly, and ended up on top of the West.
In June, it was time once again for the Celtics and the Lakers to face off for the biggest prize in the game: the NBA title. The Celtics would eventually win in six games, and claim its 17th NBA championship.
Now, both the Celtics and the Lakers are contenders for the NBA title again. Whether they collide in the Finals again is anybody’s guess.