Any sport is built on rivalries. When it comes to the NBA, that distinction goes to the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the iconic rivalry, it’s been more than a decade since the two sides had an active rivalry ongoing. Paul Pierce, when not waxing lyrical about the Clippers, would fall upon an iconic picture from that timeframe. The image that would come to define an entire era of basketball.

“The good ol days,” is all Pierce had to caption to douse the NBA fanbase with a heartwarming bout of nostalgia. Harkening back to a physical, bygone era, the 2008 series was a momentous one for the NBA as a whole. The picture in question involves his running mate, Kevin Garnett. Against them, however, was the late, great Kobe Bryant on Christmas Day 2008. By then, Bryant had not transcended daily discussions and his legacy was in question.

At the same time, the Boston Celtics were looking to build their legacy. 2 decades removed from their last NBA Championship, the team was in desperate need of Championship success. The move for Garnett and Ray Allen was their shot at achieving that goal.

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We all know how the story goes. That Christmas Day picture would come to define the next 3 NBA Finals in some capacity or another.

How the Paul Pierce – Kobe Bryant picture defines an era

While the two would match up immediately in the 2008 Finals, with an MVP honor in Bryant’s trophy room, Boston’s new Big 3 would prevail. Even though The Mamba would get his 4th ring in ’09, it wouldn’t be against the Celtics. Instead, he would face the Orlando Magic.

However, a year later, in 2010, the two teams would battle again. This time, with the grand stage of the NBA Finals as their canvas. A grueling 7-game war, an iconic Kobe pass (and an even more iconic press conference) would pave the way for a 5th Championship for Bryant. But, for 3 long years, the oldest rivalry in the book would add a new glorious chapter.

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Kobe Bryant on How the Lakers Lost an NBA Championship to Celtics by Being ‘Relaxed and Happy-Go-Lucky’

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