(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics are right back to the spot they’ve been for most of their history.
They’re the winningest franchise in NBA history again, winning their 18th championship.
Being at the top of the championships list should make you the greatest franchise ever in the eyes of some.
Nonetheless, context also matters, and that’s why Stephen A. Smith still gives the Los Angeles Lakers the nod over their lifelong rivals.
Talking on ESPN’s First Take, Smith claimed that even though the Celtics had a plethora of talent, they have ‘only’ made it to the NBA Finals 23 times (Via NBA Central).
Stephen A. Smith says the Lakers are still a better franchise than the Celtics
“[The Lakers’] time spent in relevancy is significantly more than [the Celtics].”
( @FirstTake )
pic.twitter.com/8M0uoIo7wB
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 18, 2024
The Lakers, on the other hand, have nine more appearances (32), meaning that they’ve been relevant for more time than the Celtics.
That makes sense to a degree.
For starters, most of the Celtics’ titles came in a time when basketball was hardly professional, and that should also count.
The Lakers have been the more relevant and competitive franchise for a longer period of time, and the Celtics spent 16 years without winning a title.
This was just their second title since Larry Bird was there.
Then again, one could also make a case for the Celtics being better because the Lakers have lost half of their trips to the final stage.
Whatever the case, the Lakers have some catching up to do, and it might take a while before they even sniff the NBA Finals again, while the Celtics could get back as soon as next season.
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