USA TODAY International Edition
Celtics, 76ers renew longtime rivalry in semifinals
Steve Kerr called the Celtics the team of the future.
Dwyane Wade called the 76ers the team of the future.
Well, the teams of the future will meet in the present in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
After ousting the Bucks in Game 7 Saturday, the Celtics are on to the second round for the second consecutive year, possibly to make more history.
This second-round matchup is a series of present, future and past — the Sixers-Celtics engaged in several compelling regular-season and playoff games in the 1960s and 1980s.
Two historic cities. Two historic franchises.
Five things to watch heading into the second-seeded Celtics vs. the thirdseeded 76ers.
Top-notch rookies
Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons might win Rookie of the Year, and Boston’s Tatum might finish in the top three in the voting. Not only were they fantastic during the regular season, they have had their moments in the playoffs.
Simmons became the first rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980 to record a triple double in a playoff game, and Tatum has had strong all-around games, including 19 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1.
Young talent
Beyond Tatum, the Celtics feature Jaylen Brown (21 years old) and Rozier (24) in the starting lineup plus minutes from rookie Semi Ojeleye (23). They all played significant roles in Boston’s victory in the first round. Brown injured his hamstring in Game 7 and the Celtics were cautious with his return.
The Sixers have 24-year-old Joel Embiid — who embodies Philadelphia’s process from lottery team to playoff team — and he provides the Sixers with production on both ends of the floor. They also have Dario Saric (24) and Markelle Fultz (19).
Veterans
Teams don’t win 50-plus games without veterans. The Celtics have AllStar Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris, Aron Baynes and Greg Monroe, and the Sixers have J.J. Redick, Amir Johnson, Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington, Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli.
Horford’s contributions are often unsung but his presence, leadership, defense and effort are integral to the Celtics’ success.
Coaching
The players are worth watching in this series, and so are the coaches. Brad Stevens and Brett Brown make compelling cases for NBA coach of the year.
Stevens has guided the Celtics through injuries to All-Stars to the second seed, getting players to maximize their ability.
Brown kept the Sixers through losing seasons while teaching players how to play the right way with the idea that a time like this would arrive for the franchise.
History
The 1960s: Bill Russell. Wilt Chamberlain. Bob Cousy. Tom Gola. K.C. Jones. Hal Greer. John Havlicek. Chet Walker. Sam Jones. Billy Cunningham. Satch Sanders. Dolph Schayes. Red Auerbach.
1980s: Larry Bird. Julius Erving. Kevin McHale. Moses Malone. Dennis Johnson. Maurice Cheeks. Robert Parish. Andrew Toney. Danny Ainge. Bobby Jones. Bill Walton. Andrew Toney.
Philadelphia, whether the Warriors or Sixers, and Boston met in the conference finals six times during the ’60s and four times during the ’80s, including three consecutive conference finals.