By Taylor C. Snow | @Celtics
Celtics.com
December 31, 2015
BOSTON – For more than half a century, the conflict between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers has been unparalleled to any other rivalry in professional basketball.
It has been driven by success: A combined 33 championship banners (17 for the Celtics, 16 for the Lakers).
It has been driven superstars: Nearly 50 Hall-of Famers have played on either of the two organizations.
And it’s been driven by their diehard fan bases, which provide an extraordinary atmosphere when these two teams clash.
The unique environment is what defined Wednesday night’s chapter of the longstanding rivalry, as fans filled TD Garden to witness Kobe Bryant’s 23rd and final game in Boston.