Boston Celtics: The 25 Most Hated Opponents
By Bill Speros
6. LeBron James
No doubt LeBron sits near the top of every franchises most-hated lists. After all, he is LeBron. The Celtics remain the last team to eliminate LeBron James from the Eastern Conference playoffs. It happened when Boston bounced Cleveland in 2010. LeBron has tormented the Celtics in the regular season and playoffs as member of both the Heat and Cavaliers. He personifies Boston’s 21st-century rivalry with both clubs.
LeBron wrecked the last best chance of the second Big Three Plus Rondo to return to the NBA finals in 2012. The Celtics held a 3-2 series lead after the infamous “good job, good effort” game. With Game 6 in Boston, the Celtics were poised to crush Miami’s Big Thee Era. King James smashed the Celtics with 30 of his playoff-career-high 45 points in the first half of Game. Miami won it in seven. LeBron’s talent is appreciated and respected in Boston, but that doesn’t mean it breeds animosity and resentment, especially when Boston is on the losing end.
Next: No. 5 -- Wilt