I always thought of the lakers sure in the 90s it was the sonics for a few and the Jazz but over the history The Rockets and the Lakers have just been at each other The only times in the 80s the lakers didn't make it to the finals it seems like it was the rockets that sent them packing Looking over the last few years the rocket's best games have been against the lakers Rocket River
Playoff games make rivalries. But no question the Shaq/Yao battles are clearly some of the most interesting in the NBA season. By default with Shaq/Yao this is going to become a rivalry.
Lakers' rival will always be the Celtics. If Shaq is 10 years younger, houston maybe their next great rival.
I think besides Dallas/Sacramento, Rockets/Lakers are THE funnest games to watch in the NBA the last 2 years.