Here are few future/existing NBA rivalries I can think of: Lakers/Kings --- you know what I am talking about Mavs/Kings --- a fun rivalry turned into a lopsided one. Spurs/Kings --- always a barn burner when they play Rockets/Suns --- Yao vs Stoudemire/Francis vs Marbury Nets/Pacers --- only one in the East I can think off now Add more if you like.
What about: Houston V Dallas? (Jeaslous Cuban and all, Stevie V Nash) Houston V LA? (Shaq-Fu and the evolution and emergence of Yao)
As an ex Suns fan, I always hated the Rockets after what they did to the Suns in the playoffs. Donno if there was much of a rivalry there, but after living in H-town for a few years and the Suns losing my favorite players, I always get pysched when the Rockets play the Suns.
Definitely Houston vs. Dallas. Did you hear Stevie's comments during that interview they played at halftime of the Suns game? He was saying how he was looking forward to going back to the all star game, since last year his minutes were cut short 'cause Don Nelson was most interested in showcasing his own Steve Nash. Hasn't Steve talked smack to Don Nelson while still playing the game in years past?
My favorites: Rockets v Utah Rockets v SA Rocktes v LA Kings v LA I wouldn't put Dallas in the mix just yet simply cause they haven't been one of the elite teams for too long to justify having a bonafide rivalry w/ anyone yet (though you could make a claim for them verse the Kings). And now the rockets are just starting to get good so...I'd say this is the beginning of a budding rivalry btwn us and Dallas and for that matter SA and Dallas. Ah but dont forget...in the East...you got the old school rivalry of NY and Miami (though they both suck now)
Remember when people thought Milwaukee vs Toronto was going to be a good rivalry? Dallas and Houston. Orlando and Torono, only if Vince ever gets healthy.
Lakers Spurs Lakers Blazers Lakers Clippers The Lakers seem to have more rivarly games due to past sucess. Since you said future New Orleans vs Charlotte will be a great one come 05.
Rockets and Dallas- The Mavs are determined to not be humiliated by the Lakers and Kings. They pat the Rockets on the head and compliment their players for now.... When the stakes are higher, a Cuban inspired rivalry will bud. Rockets and Spurs- This was the rivalry in Texas, but now isn't. Instead the of Spurs being the top echelon team in Texas by keeping their core intact and bringing on a European sensation, they are surpassed not by Houston again, but by Dallas. Add that to the fact that Ming is hogging up all the attention, they may win 55+ games, but these gentle players who are lead by an equally stoic leader aren't exactly rivalry material. Rockets and Suns- The Suns think they can take us down. Their whole bench was laughing when Steph made Yao fall the game before. Studemire wasn't great in that game but he was in this one. Steph called out Studemire saying that he was better than KG as a rook and now says Stud deserves to be an All-Star (with Steph presumably) Steph taunted Steve and said he was the real All-Star, and gambled on some plays that lost his team the momentum. Both have number 3s and both are born in the same year. Yao and Stud are in the same rookie class. The Suns (with Steph as leader) obviously want more coverage for being a decent team and they think they're better than the Rockets. They're like the Sonics who think they're the Laker killers a couple years ago. And only one team of the two will have the playoff glory. Rockets and Jazz- Further down in the future when Yao is ten years wiser and 4 rings richer, he will ask his best bud Steve what cheapness means. Steve's jaded eyes will perk up with intense descriptions of how a grumpy bald man on hormones and his short sneaky pal would plant an elbow in your chest with great precision. The Jazz would not be a team from Utah but an ill traveled and cursed franchise currently located in Dumpwater, Florida. These are two budding rivalries and two sinking from a change in generation.
The Texas (midwest) juggernaut in years to come will be a bloody rivalry: Invisible, current records notwithstanding, Dallas has not surpassed the Spurs, and probably never will - the Spurs won the Midwest last year, beat Dallas 3 of 4, and have beaten them in there only meeting thus far this season. Also, the Spurs are built for the playoffs - much as the '95 Rockets were that took out the Spurs, versus the Mavericks who are built to rack up regular season victories. This summer, the Rockets will gell more, Ming will get to go to a training camp, Francis will realize the big man is the way of the future, and they will be a damn powerfull force. The Spurs will reload around their MVP, their young talented point guard, other athletic young types, and, oh yeah $15-19 million of free agent talent. Dallas will get a year older, and do nothing because they are hopelessly over the cap until the next millenium - one injury of 4 different players away from Orlando oblivion - or after another playoff disappointment Cuban will do something stupid and drastic (ala Portland) and "rebuild" - by trading overpaid talent for more overpaid talent - or worse, adequately paid talent for addl. overpaid talent (see Van Excel, Nick & LaFrentz, Raef & Johnson, Avery, etc...). Also, the Spurs calm demeanor and "nice guy" reputation, really gets annoying to rivals - its seems to get the fans that much more beligerent as the Spurs win & show little to no emotion doing so - it pi$$es people off. I think Rockets - Spurs are going to battle for the Midwest for YEARS to come (with guest appearances by Dallas and Memphis) Utah & Minnesota, soon, IMO are done.
Hmm 101 6 7, I put my prediction based on how easily they collapse in the playoffs without some enforcer type player to get under their calm clammy skins. Out of all the current "contenders" (Lakers, Kings, Spurs, and even the Mavs) the Spurs lacked the intensity and killer instinct to turn on that switch and end the game. Instead they rely on fundamentals and the efficiency of Duncan to close the game. Duncan is solid and even clutch, but sometimes other players feed off their leader and they just stand and watch Tim do all the work because doesn't give off that aura of excitement. A couple of years ago, they thought that DA would be that spark, but now with an aging veteran core and a learning young nucleus working together, they need someone to stand up or they'll keep that stigma of getting upset. Keeping Duncan and the expected growth of Gino and Parker will allow them to be a Conference contender, but even without Shaq, there are the Kings, Mavs, and hopefully the Rocks. There's simply no drama in this team. I didn't say that they'd be bad, just that there wouldn't be the blood and hate that rivalries usually have. I think Dallas is pretty deep. An injury to Finley didn't hurt them that bad in the standings. Pretty much, any one starter (besides Bradley) who doesn't play for a month won't hurt them in the standings. Raef (injured) is there for defense and an extra body on Shaq to pull him out of the key. Dallas' weakness is the lack of quality tall bodies (which the Spurs have). If they continue to copy the Kings, they might even improve on their man on man defense. The Mavs are an exciting team. Their zone defense won't help them as much in the playoffs. Without their zone they're horrible defensively (Spurs have great defense), but I think they're a young group that has great upside in offense and defense.
