The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers remain the fiercest rivals in NBA history. Although only one side is represented in the 2022 NBA Finals, the bragging rights between the rivals are up for the taking.

After the Lakers matched the Celtics' 17 world championships with the 2020 title, the Celtics are up 1-0 against the Golden State Warriors as they pursue their 18th banner. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Cedric Maxwell, who helped reignite the classic rivalry in the 1980s, said that Boston has always been the gold standard in the NBA. He even called out one of his opponents, James Worthy.

“It always means everything when you're going up against the Lakers,” says Cedric Maxwell, who won two titles in Boston, including MVP of the 1981 Finals, and is known for tossing barbs at Laker great James Worthy both in the media and in private.

“They're supposedly tied with us,” he said. “People say they're the standard-bearer of the NBA but the Celtics have been that since the start. And James Worthy, after we win this championship, I want you to smell our ass as we're going by.”

The Celtics stole Game 1 from the Warriors by a score of 120-108. Lakers nation is certainly rooting hard for the Warriors in this series, even with LeBron James' history against them. The Boston-LA rivalry supersedes all others in the league, as its long history always ensures bad blood between the teams and especially their respective fanbases.

Boston's toughness and resiliency certainly resonate with Maxwell and the players he won titles with, namely Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. If the Celtics continue to show it, they could reclaim bragging rights over the Lakers.