The Lakers are NOT the Yankees of Basketball. Not Yet.

The other day I was watching the highlights from the opening games of the MLB postseason, and I commented on how all the teams I wanted to lose had pulled off the annoying victory. The game on at the time was Yankees/Twins. My friend turned to see, and then voiced his appreciation of the Yankees.

I asked why he'd root for a team that was so blatantly evil, and he said it was because people are always comparing the Lakers to the Yankees because they're both dominant, and people hate them both merely for their success.

I fired off a few quick reasons why the comparisons were apples to oranges. The Yankees simply outbid everyone for players, while anyone in the NBA has to either draft well or con someone in a trade, etc... But then I thought, how in the world did the freaking Celtics avoid this comparison? The Celtics have won the most titles - a fact that Boston fans are constantly crowing about - but their fans also simultaneously play the underdog card.

So, Boston fans and media at large... You want to call the Lakers the NBA Yankees, these are the criteria that need to be met:

• Every time I hear a Boston fan shout about their 17 titles, I need to hear them add that 8 of those were won in when the playoffs were two rounds long, and because there wasn't free-agency their dynasty was going to remain intact until their players retired.
  
  
• I need to hear Boston fans admit that the Lakers have whipped them 8 to 3 when the playoffs are 4 rounds long.
  
  
• The Lakers need to have a player on the team who takes the title of "NBA Player Who Most Exemplifies A-Rod's In-Game Douchebaggery" away from Kevin Garnett.
  
  
  
  Ok, so maybe this one already happened.
  Image Cred: Lakers of Fire
  
  
• Every time a Celtics fans pops off about the Lakers being unable to count the 5 titles they won in Minnesota, they are forcibly reminded that they can't count their first 13, because they are in fact, actually the Clippers.

You do this, and I'll be fine with the Lakers being compared with the Yankees even though the Lakers haven't yet grabbed the throne of "Most Franchise NBA Titles". Until then, you can't have your cake and eat it, too. You're either the one with the target on your back, or you accept that you're not unquestionably the Greatest Franchise of All-Time. Pick one and stick with it.