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"We just said, 'We could play really good and lose'" - Kevin McHale revealed why Showtime Lakers were different from other Celtics rivals

Kevin McHale admitted that the ‘80s Celtics weren’t as confident as they were against other teams whenever they faced the ...

Ralph Sampson on trolling Magic Johnson after the Rockets stunned the Lakers in 1986 WCF: "We're gonna beat you in Houston anyway"

L.A.'s 1986 playoff loss to Sampson's Houston was the only time the Lakers missed the NBA Finals from 1982 to 1989.
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"I'm the only one playing like a sissy" - Larry Bird's ruthless self-critique after Celtics' Game 3 collapse in 1985 Finals

He received the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1986. Maxwell took the brunt ... which the Purple and Gold later exposed ...

"They said, 'S–t, it's going to be easy'" - Ralph Sampson recalls how the Rockets shocked the defending champion Lakers in 1986

Even as the series opener got underway, many became certain that the “Showtime” Lakers were too tough of an opponent for ...