What teams have the best rivalry in the NBA? In the past, it has been the Celtics-Lakers, Pistons-Bulls, Knicks-Heat, etc. What is currently the best rivalry in the NBA? There's not really a "hard, intense rivalry" now, but if I had to pick one, then I'd say either the Lakers-Blazers or, to a lesser extent, Sixers-Pacers or Raptors-Sixers. But I don't know. Maybe there are some out there that I'm not aware of so I'm interested to hear what you all think.
That's tough....i miss the days in which those regular season rivalry games were ones you couldn't MISS....and obviously the playoff matchups were beyond intense. The rivalries of the past that come to mind are bulls-pistons, knicks-heat, rockets-sonics, etc. I think right now, the league is kinda in flux. If i had to pick one, i would probably say spurs-Lakers. They don't like each other. However, i don't know that the spurs win enough for it to be a rivalry. Same with kings-lakers. Hmmmm.....the magic and bucks hate each other. That might work. Tough call. I wish there were more.
I don't know. There's not really one that stands out anymore. It definitely used to be the Jazz and Rockets. Somone one already mentioned Bucks-Magic, which I would agree with because of T-Mac and Big Dog goin' at each other. But another good one I think is the T-Wolves and Spurs. I hope they finish 4 and 5. That would easily be the best first round series.
That's a natural rivalry that could turn into a full fledged one if the two teams happen to meet in the Western Conference Finals.
I think that the whole NBA is doing a "change of guard" and teams are just beginning to form a style or reputation. good ones for the future though are... Magic vs. Raptors (cuzins will grow older and the intensity will rise each time they face each other) LAC vs. LAL (might have the best potential!) and others....im too lazy to think right now
The Mavs and Spurs, who just played an amazing game on NBC has become a excellent rivalry. At the end of this awesome game Dirk scored with 7.9 seconds left to tie the game at 87, followed by a Duncan basket with 2.3 seconds left to win the game.
The Bulls and the Warriors have one - which team can suck it up more to get the best chance at blowing the #1 overall pick?
Good God, I loved those Heat/Knicks games. Even/especially the regular season contests (including last season's). I felt like I was the only one sometimes. I probably was. I used to like watching Denver/Boston. For a while, that game was downright incestuous.
I agree. Spurs/Mavs is turing into a very good rivalry. The Spurs still hold the advantage but every game this year between the two has been decided by an average of 2.5 points and every game has been decided by the last shot.
