Recollections of what once likely was sport’s greatest rivalry seem dim now, black-and-white images engulfed by a haze nearly as thick as Red Auerbach’s cigar smoke.
Long ago, those scenes from 76ers-Celtics playoff dramas were near the heart of Philly sports: A delirious Convention Hall crowd chanting “Boston is dead!” Boston Garden fans encouraging the 76ers to “Beat L.A.!” Auerbach’s arrogant cigar ritual. Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell. Larry Bird and Julius Erving with their large hands around each other’s neck. “Havlicek stole the ball!”
While time and an ever-changing NBA order have diminished them, those memories will briefly regain some significance on Monday when the 76ers and Celtics face each other in the 2017-18 NBA postseason, their 13th playoff meeting and their first since the 2011-12 season.