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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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3. Kobe Bryant

No member of the Lakers consistently tormented and taunted the Celtics longer than Kobe Bryant, who has played his entire 19-season career with in Los Angeles. He had no permanent rival like Bird did with Magic. Rather Bryant battled the likes of Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Thomas.

The mutual respect and appreciation of Bryant is there in Boston, but there remains very little love even in his final season. Not even the manufactured sort Boston fans saw with Derek Jeter. Bryant’s destruction of the Celtics peaked with the Lakers Game 7 victory over Boston in the 2010 NBA Finals. Thanks to that title, and the three-peat he crafted with Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers trail Boston by just one (17-16) in the all-time NBA championship race.

Next: No. 2 -- L.A.

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