Stephen A. Smith sparked a debate on “First Take” by arguing that the Los Angeles Lakers are still a superior franchise to the Boston Celtics, despite the Celtics’ 18th championship. Smith’s argument goes beyond championship counts, focusing on franchise relevancy and historical performance.
Smith acknowledged the Celtics’ recent achievement but pointed out that it comes after a 16-year title drought. In contrast, the Lakers have consistently appeared in the NBA Finals, with 32 appearances compared to the Celtics’ 23.
The Los Angeles Lakers have 32. So yes, you do have one more ring, that is fair. But the Los Angeles Lakers have nine more finals appearances, which means that although they have one less title, their time spent in relevancy is significantly more than yours...I would say that the Los Angeles Lakers is still the best franchise in NBA annals.Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN’s First Take
Stephen A. Smith emphasized that while the Celtics have a rich history with legendary players like Bill Russell and Bob Cousy, the Lakers’ ability to remain at the forefront of the NBA for longer periods solidifies their status as the better franchise. He drew a parallel to the Chicago Bulls, who won six championships with Michael Jordan but have not been significant contenders since his departure.
Smith concluded that the Lakers’ nine more NBA Finals appearances than the Celtics outweigh the Celtics’ one more championship, making the Lakers the better overall franchise. He emphasized that while the Celtics’ legacy is impressive, their periods of dominance have been more sporadic compared to the Lakers’ enduring presence in the Finals.
Boston Celtics cruise to record 18th NBA title
The Boston Celtics have won their 18th NBA championship, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Despite a brief setback in Game 4, the Celtics dominated the series, winning 16 of 19 games in the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum led the way, posting an impressive stat line of 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists. Tatum received support from his teammates, including Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White, who all contributed to the Celtics’ victory.
Al Horford, at 38 years old, finally won his first NBA title, a fitting culmination of his illustrious career. The Celtics’ championship win marks their first in 16 years and cements their status as one of the greatest franchises in NBA history.
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