Greatest Sports Rivalries of All Time
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (Basketball) or Ohio State vs. Michigan (Football)
Pick Your Favorite
VS
Your GOAT List
Why This Battle Matters
Is there a more storied clash than hardwood kings of the East and West versus the gridiron giants of the North? The Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics epitomizes basketball royalty, a rivalry steeped in decades of finals face-offs and cultural icons. Contrast that with the Ohio State vs. Michigan gridiron grudge, where college football legacies and regional pride clash every fall, turning friends into foes. This isn't just about winning; it's about what defines greatness in sports — will it be the sustained glamour and star power of professional basketball or the raw, passionate tribalism of college football? The choice reflects what kind of fan you are at heart: one who values glitzy historical showdowns or down-in-the-dirt, annual tradition.
🔥 Fan Takes
How Fans Are Voting
In this battle:
Fans currently prefer Ohio State vs. Michigan (Football) over Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (Basketball) when it comes to the greatest Sports Rivalries of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Ohio State vs. Michigan (Football) 55.9% of the time over Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (Basketball).
Across all battles:
Ohio State vs. Michigan (Football) win rate: 56.5%
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (Basketball) win rate: 54.4%
Fan FAQs
Who's the #1 contender on GoatWars in the Greatest Sports Rivalries of All Time league?
The New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox rivalry currently tops the charts as the #1 contender in the league. Check out the full GOAT List to see how all the rivalries stack up!
What makes the Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry so legendary?
Fans adore the Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry because it's steeped in NBA history, featuring numerous iconic finals clashes between the biggest stars of their eras. The emotional rollercoaster of these games, along with the coast-to-coast rivalry, keeps fans deeply engaged and nostalgic.
Why is the matchup between Ohio State vs. Michigan slightly ahead in fan votes compared to Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics?
The Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry edges ahead likely because of its intense annual buildup and the huge cultural impact it has across college football. The single-game stakes each season capture fans' imaginations a bit more than the multiple meetings in the Lakers-Celtics series.