Celtics' Big Three
The Showtime Lakers weren't the only dominant team during the 1980s. The Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, won three championships, one against the Lakers. The Celtics were coached by Bill Fitch, and later K. C. Jones during the 1980s. The Celtics' Big Three run slowed down when injuries hampered Larry Bird and eventually ended his career. Despite not being as successful as the Lakers, the Celtics were still known as a nearly equal rival to Los Angeles.