C's VS Cavs = most talented rosters in a playoff series ever?

[rondohondo]

I know almost all of these guys are past their prime, but I think this might be the 2 most talented teams to match up in a playoff series for a long time. I am only 25 so haven't seen a lot of playoff series, but what do you guys think?

The best player in the world
3 Regular season MVP'S ( Shaq, lebron, KG)
2 finals mvps's(PP + Shaq)
3 HOF Players on the C's , 2 HOF players on cavs
Former all stars off the bench for c's with Finley and Rasheed
2 borderline allstars for cleveland Jamison and Mo
An all-star and a jump shot away from being a superstar in Rondo


There is more talent on these 2 teams than even the bulls vs Utah finals which had 4 HOF players


Did the Lakers VS C's. Finals of the 80's have more talent?

[Roy Hobbs]

Ever?  No.  Some of the Celtics-Lakers finals in the sixties probably included the most Hall of Fame / All-star talent.  Some of the eighties matchups were impressive, too, with multiple all-stars on each team.  I'd take Larry / McHale / Parish / DJ vs. Kareem / Magic / Worthy over the current matchup, especially since all those players were still playing at a high level.

This one ranks way up there in recent (i.e., post 1990) memory, though.

[EJPLAYA]

Ever?  No.  Some of the Celtics-Lakers finals in the sixties probably included the most Hall of Fame / All-star talent.  Some of the eighties matchups were impressive, too, with multiple all-stars on each team.

This one ranks way up there in recent (i.e., post 1990) memory, though.

Agreed. I would also argue the Celtics Lakers series of the 80's has more talent by a long shot than these squads. Think about how incredible those teams were.

7 actual voted hall of famers vs potential/likely ones. Bird - 3 MVP's, Magic −3 MVP's Kareem- 6 MVP's, Bird, Magic, and Kareem 2x finals MVP's, Worthy finals MVP…

That DWARFS these two.

[Edgar]

Ever?  No.  Some of the Celtics-Lakers finals in the sixties probably included the most Hall of Fame / All-star talent.  Some of the eighties matchups were impressive, too, with multiple all-stars on each team.  I'd take Larry / McHale / Parish / DJ vs. Kareem / Magic / Worthy over the current matchup, especially since all those players were still playing at a high level.

This one ranks way up there in recent (i.e., post 1990) memory, though.

[Redz]

Big Z was an All Star a few times too.

Lets not forget a 3 time dunk champion in Nate Robinson  

The 87 Finals would probably take the cake for most "career" talent on both squads.

[Mr October]

Ever?  No.  Some of the Celtics-Lakers finals in the sixties probably included the most Hall of Fame / All-star talent.  Some of the eighties matchups were impressive, too, with multiple all-stars on each team.  I'd take Larry / McHale / Parish / DJ vs. Kareem / Magic / Worthy over the current matchup, especially since all those players were still playing at a high level.

This one ranks way up there in recent (i.e., post 1990) memory, though.

The key is the post 1990 clause. In the modern era of watered down talent per team, this may feature the greatest collection star named players in a series. Its gonna be fun. Go Celtics!!

[moiso]

Put everyone in the Celts/Cavs series in their primes and it's a pretty close talent level to the 80's Celts/Lakers.  Maybe Walton is the difference maker, but it's very very close.

[housecall]

Big Z was an All Star a few times too.

Lets not forget a 3 time dunk champion in Nate Robinson  

The 87 Finals would probably take the cake for most "career" talent on both squads.

If you going to throw a dunk contest in it,well Jamario Moon once played for the Harlem Globetrotters,lol.

[Onslaught]

Put everyone in the Celts/Cavs series in their primes and it's a pretty close talent level to the 80's Celts/Lakers.  Maybe Walton is the difference maker, but it's very very close.

I don't think it's that close. You had some incredible talent on those 80's teams. You had 7 guys that made the top 50 of all time list. And that's not even talking about all the other guys like DJ.

[guava_wrench]

Based on current playing level, I say not even close.

If we were to consider each player in their prime, I'm not sure it is fair. The reason I don't think it is fair is that we often don't remember that some other teams had some amazing players who were in their prime. Look at the Lakers with Payton and Malone. Take the best years of Payton, Malone, Shaq, and Kobe, and we are talking about ridiculous talent.

Considering every round of the playoffs, there is a lot to consider.

How many hall of fame level players are we talking about? Lebron, Shaq, KG, Pierce, and probably Ray Allen. Compare that to Bird, Mchale, Parish, Walton, Magic, Alcindor, Worthy and DJ/McAdoo. The 85/87 matchups had 6 of those hall of fame players in both who are playing at all star levels in those actual seasons.

[Neurotic Guy]

1981 Celts vs. Sixers was not too shabby:

Tiny Archibald, Bird, Mchale, Parrish, Max, Chris Ford

vs.

Dr. J, Maurice Cheeks, Daryl Dawkins, Doug Collins, Bobby Jones, Andrew Toney



But, it's hard to top these 7 players on the court at once:
Bird, Mchale, Parrish, DJ

vs.

Kareem, Magic, Worthy