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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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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

21. The Draft Lottery

The Celtics and their fans have been rooting nearly as much for the Brooklyn Nets to lose this season as for their team to win. Boston owns Brooklyn’s first-round pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Even though Boston has clinched a playoff spot, it has a legit chance of winning the No. 1 pick in the NBA’s draft lottery.

Luck has not been on Boston’s side much in the lottery over the years. Had the ping pong balls fallen in Boston’s favor, the Celtics would have drafted Tim Duncan in 1997. The 1996-97 Celtics pulled off one of the original and classic NBA Tankapalooza jobs to finish with the league’s worst record. They came close and finished second from the bottom. It wasn’t bad enough. The San Antonio Spurs won the top pick and took Duncan. The Celtics wound up third taking Chauncey Billups. He was the NBA Finals MVP…for the Pistons in 2004.

Next: No. 20 -- O'Neal

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