Celtics feuds through the years

When Celtics center Kevin Garnett (center) and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (left) scuffled during a game on Jan. 7, it wasn’t the first time that Garnett in particular and a Celtic in general got into some extracurricular activity with an opponent. There have been many feuds between Celtics and other players over the years, some more nasty than others. Anthony and Garnett renew their rivalry Thursday night at TD Garden when the Knicks come to town. In the following slides we highlight some of the best individual battles between Celtics and opponents over the years.

Kevin Garnett vs. Carmelo Anthony

Garnett frustrated Anthony into 6-of-26 shooting during the Celtics’ 102-96 win over the Knicks. When things got testy in the second half, both players were assessed technical fouls and had to be seperated. After the game, Anthony tried to confront Garnett outside the Celtics locker room and outside the team bus. For his actions, Anthony earned a one-game suspension.

Rajon Rondo vs. Dwyane Wade

The Celtics point guard and Heat shooting guard have had several run-ins. Wade pulled Rondo to the ground during a 2011 playoff series, causing Rondo to dislocate his elbow in gruesome fashion. The players have had plenty of other chances to show their dislike, facing off in the playoffs each of the last two seasons. During the opening game of this season, Rondo put this hard foul on Wade, further fueling the feud.

Tommy Heinsohn vs. Wilt Chamberlain

Now a broadcaster, Heinsohn had a distinguished career for the Celtics as both a player and coach. In 1960, Heinsohn faced off against Wilt Chamberlain and was charged with acting as a decoy, getting in Chamberlain’s way as he ran down the court so Bill Russell could score on the fast break. As Heinsohn tells it, Wilt took issue with him and threw a punch that hit another player. Said Heinsohn, “I said to myself, ‘If I don’t outstare this guy, the rest of my career is going to be hell.’ I stuck my chin out further and stared at him. Finally, he turned away, and I never had another problem.’’

Larry Bird vs. Isiah Thomas

In 1987, the Pistons guard said that if Bird were black he “would be just another good guy”, a major insult to the player that had won three consecutive NBA MVP awards. Thomas later said he was “joking”, but the comments did not sit well with the Celtics superstar.

Larry Bird vs. Julius Erving

On Nov. 9, 1984, the Celtics routed the Philadelphia 76ers, 130-119. Bird and Erving were both ejected from that game after setting off a fight in which punches were thrown. The fight involved 18 participants, and fines from the league office totaled $30,500. Bird would say later, “I fought my brothers all my life, and I like them.”

Robert Parish vs. Bill Laimbeer

During Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference finals, Parish took Laimbeer down from behind with two punches to the head. Laimbeer was too stunned to retaliate and stayed on the floor for a few minutes before recovering. Parish said it was the one and only time he lost his composure in a game.

Kevin Garnett vs. Zaza Pachulia

During the Celtics’ first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks on their run to the NBA title in 2008, Garnett had several run-ins with the Hawks big man. They got in each other’s faces and had to be separated in Game 4 in Atlanta (pictured). In Game 7, Garnett got revenge with a hard screen in the backcourt that leveled Pachulia. The Celtics cruised in that game to win the series.

Kevin McHale vs. Kurt Rambis

This isn’t a fight per se, but on this play during Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals, McHale clotheslined Lakers forward Kurt Rambis on a fast break. The play is one of the more infamous images in NBA history, and it captures just how intense the rivarly was between the Celtics and Lakers.

Jerry Sichting vs. Ralph Sampson

Houston’s Ralph Sampson, seen here fighting for a loose ball against Celtic Bill Walton, had an altercation with Celtic Jerry Sichting during Game 5 of the 1986 NBA Finals. Both benches cleared and punches were thrown. The fight spilled into the stands. Sampson never appeared to be the same player again.

Rajon Rondo vs. Kobe Bryant

On February 5, 2009, Rondo and Bryant chased a loose ball and got tangled up. Rondo shoved Bryant, who then pointed his finger and scolded Rondo as if he were scolding a child. It didn’t escalate further.

Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant

Allen’s feud with the Lakers guard extended back to when Allen was with the Seattle Supersonics. Allen was the leader of his team and Bryant the leader of his, but with some championships under his belt, Bryant said, “Don’t even put me and dude [Allen] in the same place.’’ When Allen went to the Celtics, the two faced off in the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010. Their feud became more civil when Allen broke the NBA’s all-time record for 3-pointers and Bryant congratulated him.

Kevin Garnett vs. Charlie Villanueva

By now you’re probably sensing a trend with Garnett. After a game in 2010 between the Celtics and Pistons, Villanueva tweeted that Garnett called him a “cancer patient”. Villanueva suffers from alopecia universalis, a medical condition that results in hair loss. Garnett said his words were twisted.

Paul Pierce vs. Quentin Richardson

There was a longstanding beef between Pierce and Richardson, who has bounced around in his NBA career. Pierce once hosted Richardson on a recruting visit to Kansas where something may have gone wrong. During a game in 2008 when Richardson was with the Knicks, the two talked trash and were ejected. Richardson has also called Pierce an “actress”.

Ray Allen vs. Kevin Garnett/Rajon Rondo

No on-court altercations here, but some Celtics clearly took exception to Allen signing with the Heat after the 2012 season. After Allen left, Garnett said he had lost Allen’s phone number and would not be speaking to him. He also snubbed Allen’s handshake attempt on opening night. Rondo refused to mention Allen by name, referring to him as “that guy”.

Rajon Rondo vs. Chris Paul

There’s no specific beef here, but during this game in 2009, Paul and Rondo exchanged some words. Rondo has always upped his focus against the league’s elite point guards, and at the time Rondo was just trying to enter that conversation. He’s more established now.

Kevin Garnett vs. Joakim Noah

Before the Celtics traded for Garnett, Noah was one of the players they considered drafting. The Celtics and Bulls have been among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference, and the two players have had several NBA battles. On Garnett’s temperament, Noah said, “I don’t like him. … I had his poster in my room. I used to wear his jersey.” Noah went on to call Garnett “mean”.

Rajon Rondo vs. Kris Humphries

During a game vs. Brooklyn on Nov. 28, 2012, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo took exception to a hard hit Nets forward Kris Humphries put on Kevin Garnett. Rondo went after Humphries and pushed him into the stands, setting off a scrum among players under the basket. Rondo was suspended for the incident.