It’s time for the latest edition of Mazz’s Tiers! With the Boston Celtics getting set to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, Mazz ranks some of the most feared opponents in Boston sports history.
But before the Tiers, here’s a look at who could appear on the list….
The New England Patriots faced the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI and lost both of them. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was the MVP of both of those Super Bowl victories over the Patriots. The Head Coach of those Giants Super Bowl winning teams was Tom Coughlin.
Mariano Rivera played 19 seasons in the MLB, all of them as a member of the New York Yankees. Rivera won 5 World Series titles during his time in the MLB and has the most saves in the history of the MLB with 652.
Guy Lafleur played 17 seasons in the NHL, 14 of them as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. During that time he won 5 Stanley Cups as a member of the club.
Luka Doncic will be making his NBA Finals debut in the 2024 Finals for the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic is in his 6th season in the NBA, all of them as a member of the Mavericks.
Matthew Tkachuk was drafted 6th overall in 2016 by the Calgary Flames. Following the 2021-22 NHL season he was traded to the Florida Panthers. Tkachuk has played a pivotal role in getting the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2023 and 2024.
LeBron James is the NBA”s All-Time leading scorer with 40,474 points and counting. James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers during his time in the NBA. He is a four time NBA Champion, winning twice with the Heat and once a piece with the Cavaliers and Lakers.
Tier 1
NEW YORK – APRIL 21: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees in the field against the Oakland Athletics on April 21, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Derek Jeter – New York Yankees
Tom Coughlin – New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars
Eli Manning – New York Giants
Magic Johnson – Los Angeles Lakers
Ray Lewis – Baltimore Ravens
Guy Lafleur – Montreal Canadiens
Ken Dryden – Montreal Canadiens
Pat Riley – Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat
Tier 2
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three pointer against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Patrick Roy – Montreal Canadiens
Dave Stewart – Oakland Athletics
Matthew Tkachuk – Florida Panthers
Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos
Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
Don Shula – Miami Dolphins
Mariano Rivera – New York Yankees
Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid – Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Shanahan – Denver Broncos
Lebron James – Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat
Steph Curry – Golden State Warriors
Tier 3
DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat celebrates making a basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on March 07, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
Andrew Toney – Philadelphia 76ers
Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat
Braden Holtby – Washington Capitals
