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Boston Celtics: The 25 Most Hated Opponents

By Bill Speros

Basketball: NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Bob Cousy (14) in action, layup vs St. Louis Hawks Bob Pettit (9). Boston, MA 3/30/1957--4/13/1957 CREDIT: Richard Meek (Photo by Richard Meek /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X4483 F18 )
Basketball: NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Bob Cousy (14) in action, layup vs St. Louis Hawks Bob Pettit (9). Boston, MA 3/30/1957--4/13/1957 CREDIT: Richard Meek (Photo by Richard Meek /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X4483 F18 ) /
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14. Ralph Sampson

Never a fan favorite in Boston, his Ralph Sampson’s blind-side attack on Jerry Sichting in the 1981 NBA finals pushed a lot of lingering resentment to the surface. Sampson was considered a soft player by the partisans in Boston, eschewing the blue-collar “grit and balls” that would define great Celtics big men like Bill Russell, Dave Cowens and Robert Parish.

Sampson was 15 inches taller than the Celtics back-up guard but still clocked him in the head with an elbow in Game 5. The foul earned Simpson an ejected and fired up the Rockets. The series returned to Boston for Game 6, where Sampson was mercilessly booed and showered with chants of “Sampson Sucks.” He was even hung in effigy from the legendary Boston Garden balcony that lurched over the court. He hit only 4 of his 12 shots for eight points in the series finale. The Celtics would win their 14th title.

Next: No. 13 -- Moses

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