NBA Playoffs 2012: Celtics and Sixers Set to Continue Storied Rivalry

I always say that the Celtics-Sixers rivalry is the greatest rivalry that no one ever talks about. When you think about the Celtics, you think about the Lakers as their rival. To be precise, though, the Lakers are the Celtics' Western rivals, while the Sixers are their Eastern rivals.

The Celtics and Sixers have met in the playoffs more than any other two teams in the NBA, and it seems that every time they match up, something special happens. There are literally countless great moments between these two teams.

Beyond the many great moments, though, there are a few Celtics-Sixers moments that will live on forever. Perhaps the most memorable moment came in Game 7 of the 1964-1965 Eastern Conference Finals. With the Celtics up by a point, John Havlicek famously stole the inbounds pass and tipped it to Sam Jones, who dribbled out the clock (picture what Rondo did in Game 5, only Hondo didn't end up messing it up like Rondo did). That play is famous almost as much for Johnny Most's call of it as it is for the steal itself.

Twice even, the Celtics rallied back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series.

In the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, it looked like the Celtics would again come back to win the series after trailing 3-1 to the Sixers. However, the Sixers would build an insurmountable lead in Game 7. But that didn't stop the Celtics fans from one of the classiest showings in defeat.

The famous "Beat L.A." chant was started that day as a way of cheering on the Sixers to defeat the Lakers in the finals (unfortunately, they would go on to lose).

For all the talk about how classless Boston fans are after the racist comments on Twitter following Bruins loss to the Capitals, it is important to remember that those comments were made by a few people, while the "Beat L.A." chant was made by 18,624.

As much as Havlicek stealing the ball lives on as a great moment, the "Beat L.A." chant lives on as one of the classiest showings by losing fans.

Amidst all of these great moments, this rivalry has also seen great players and, moreover, great individual rivalries. First, it was Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell; then it was Larry Bird and Julius Irving.

Now, with all of the memories of the past, we can look forward to the next chapter in one of the most storied rivalries in the NBA. Perhaps Andre Iguodala and Paul Pierce will do their best Larry Bird-Dr. J impressions. If the Celtics are losing in Game 7, maybe the fans will serenade the Sixers with a "Beat the Heat" chant. Maybe Rondo will steal the ball again, but actually win the game like Hondo.

We don't know exactly what lies ahead in this series, but one thing is certain: In a matchup between these two great rivals, something great is bound to happen.