The 2017 off season in the NBA has already given fans more drama and anticipation compared to previous years before. It seems franchise players are jumping ship to afford themselves a better opportunity to get a ring. With team loyalty at an all-time low, there are two franchises that are moving the opposite direction and building their teams to be the powerhouses they once were.
There’s no secret one of the most storied rivalries in NBA history is the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, meeting 12 times in the NBA Finals. Though in the past recent years, fans and the NBA at large has shifted it’s focus to a another (newer) rivalry between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, the truth is in two to three years expect to see a Lakers/Celtics rivalry reborn and here’s why:
Star Rookies:
First of all, the Celtics picked up Jayson Tatum in this year’s draft. A super athletic and long wing that can score, Isaiah Thomas is going to have a lot of fun playing with this kid:
Jayson Tatum's top 10 plays from summer league #LetsGoCeltics pic.twitter.com/HKGDwncEMr
— Celtics News (@CelticsNewsNBA) July 20, 2017
With the 2017 NBA Summer League Championship under their belts, the Lakers are already proving with some work and experience, they have a viable shot to be what they once were. Especially with Lonzo Ball as their leader:
It's only summer league, but Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and #LakerNation bring the 🏆 back to LA. https://t.co/GFNLOZ5uLi pic.twitter.com/RO90JPobx0
— Spark Sports (@SparkSports) July 18, 2017
Celtics Picked Up Key Players:
Celtics picked up Gordon Hayward, another scoring option for the Celtics. Rumor is the Celtics have a strong chance of picking up Anthony Davis for the 2018 Season.
Yep, word around town is if Pelicans tank this season, Anthony Davis will be heading to Beantown:
The Celtics will pursue a trade for Anthony Davis in 2018 if the Pelicans remain mediocre. (Y!)
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) July 18, 2017
Can you imagine a starting lineup that consisted of Isaiah Thomas, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis?
Lakers picked up Key Players:
With the addition of Brooke Lopez, Lonzo now has another huge, agile target in the paint. Not to mention a standout pick with Kyle Kuzma who made a name for himself during this year’s summer league. It seems Lakers will be pushing the ball up & should be lethal during transition.
These two franchises are putting all the pieces they need together quietly while the focus is on The Cavs and Warriors. The truth of the matter is, as great as Lebron and Steph are, like any athlete in the league the truest competition is the one against father time. They’re not getting any younger and these young guys have more time to get bigger, stronger and faster. Right on time to rebirth one of the greatest rivalries in NBA history.
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