1984: Bird and Magic Face Off

BOSTON – 1984: Scoreboard reads “Beat L.A.” during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics played in 1984 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1984 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

NBA history spans 80 seasons, and as CelticsBlog readers well know, the Boston Celtics have won a league-high 18 championships. This month, we are recapping each of those title years.

In the 1984 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics, representing tradition and grit, faced off against the flashy Los Angeles Lakers, symbolizing the glitz of the 80s. Coached by K.C. Jones, the Celtics aimed to reclaim their dominance, while the Lakers, led by Pat Riley and featuring Magic Johnson, epitomized a new era of basketball. The clash highlighted a cultural divide as both teams vied for supremacy, with Boston’s storied history contrasting sharply with L.A.’s modern allure. This rivalry not only defined the decade but also left an indelible mark on NBA history.

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