What is the best current rivalry in the NBA?

[JerrySeinfeld]

My money is on the Spurs and Thunder.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Naw too much respect.

For me it's LAC and GSW. Actual dislike. Long memories. Any given game can swing either way. It's good stuff.

[Warfan]

Not sure if there are any legit rivalries, but probably Clippers-Warriors right now.


Cavs-Bulls will probably/hopefully end up being a great rivalry. Chicago already hates lebron so it's inevitable :lol

[JerrySeinfeld]

Naw too much respect.

For me it's LAC and GSW. Actual dislike. Long memories. Any given game can swing either way. It's good stuff.

Not a bad choice.

I picked Spurs and Thunder because the Thunder got the Spurs in 2012 in 6 games but the Spurs got them in 2014 in 6 games, and they both had the top 2 records last year. One had the MVP, the other had the Finals MVP.

It's pretty epic. Cleveland and Miami could be good too.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Not a bad choice.

I picked Spurs and Thunder because the Thunder got the Spurs in 2012 in 6 games but the Spurs got them in 2014 in 6 games, and they both had the top 2 records last year. One had the MVP, the other had the Finals MVP.

It's pretty epic. Cleveland and Miami could be good too.

Oh no doubt the Spurs/Thunder rivalry is a good one because they are always the ones in the end battling it out. But that's a matter of circumstance. It wouldn't be a rivalry if either team fell off.

GSW/LAC would be a rivalry regardless because they flat out don't like each other. You get a little bit of regional stuff too (although in my experience the NorCal v. SoCal rivalry is still Kings/Lakers even though they both suck right now).

[Milbuck]

If Rose stays healthy, Chicago-Cleveland could be a truly great rivalry. Maybe not this year, but both squads are loaded with talent (albeit in different ways) and it's just a matter of time and health. Rose vs Irving...Lebron against arguably the best perimeter defender in the game...Love/Thompson/Varejeo vs a monster FC of Noah/Gasol/Gibson/Mirotic....elite offensive firepower vs the toughest defense in the game. Both teams are gonna have vastly different styles but could potentially be on the same level, makes for an awesome rivalry. Like the basketball version of Federer vs Nadal.


Rockets-Blazers would be another great rivalry if the Rockets roster wasn't tailor-made to get raped in the playoffs every year.

[Cocaine80s]

Durant and Westbrook

[Timmy D for MVP]

If Rose stays healthy, Chicago-Cleveland could be a truly great rivalry. Maybe not this year, but both squads are loaded with talent (albeit in different ways) and it's just a matter of time and health. Rose vs Irving...Lebron against arguably the best perimeter defender in the game...Love/Thompson/Varejeo vs a monster FC of Noah/Gasol/Gibson/Mirotic....elite offensive firepower vs the toughest defense in the game. Both teams are gonna have vastly different styles but could potentially be on the same level, makes for an awesome rivalry. Like the basketball version of Federer vs Nadal.


Rockets-Blazers would be another great rivalry if the Rockets roster wasn't tailor-made to get raped in the playoffs every year.

It might just be:

But great rivalries are fun to watch. Are the Bulls going to be a fun team to watch?

[Milbuck]

It might just be:

But great rivalries are fun to watch. Are the Bulls going to be a fun team to watch?
I honestly think so. Even in 2010-2012, as thoroughly boring as the rest of the team usually was, Rose single handedly made me want to watch them. People can clown him about whatever, but the dude's game is exciting as hell when he's 100%. I'd watch Derrick Rose have a great game over any player in the league, honestly.

And we've never seen him consistently play next to Butler since he started getting big minutes, that could be a sick transition duo. And now they also have shooters like McDermott, Mirotic, Dunleavy, Snell improving, Brooks who could have a bounce back season.. And Noah/Gasol could be the best passing big man duo in the game, new dynamic to the offense.

They're obviously not gonna be lob city with Blake/DJ/CP3 or Wade/Lebron...but there's so much versatility with that roster, don't see how they could be boring.

[Timmy D for MVP]

I honestly think so. Even in 2010-2012, as thoroughly boring as the rest of the team usually was, Rose single handedly made me want to watch them. People can clown him about whatever, but the dude's game is exciting as hell when he's 100%. I'd watch Derrick Rose have a great game over any player in the league, honestly.

And we've never seen him consistently play next to Butler since he started getting big minutes, that could be a sick transition duo. And now they also have shooters like McDermott, Mirotic, Dunleavy, Snell improving, Brooks who could have a bounce back season.. And Noah/Gasol could be the best passing big man duo in the game, new dynamic to the offense.

They're obviously not gonna be lob city with Blake/DJ/CP3 or Wade/Lebron...but there's so much versatility with that roster, don't see how they could be boring.

I agree that Rose alone makes that team really worth watching. And I have always liked Taj Gibson's game, and the energy he brings. I guess at this point I'm just bracing for the worst and imagining a Bulls team sans Rose. I hope against all hope that he stays healthy from now until forever.

[Thorn]

Naw too much respect.

For me it's LAC and GSW. Actual dislike. Long memories. Any given game can swing either way. It's good stuff.
this + LAC/MEM

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Noah as well. Dude is spaz, hyper, and ugly as shit. Plus, I love watching bigs who can pass. Relative to other centers, I'd say he's pretty entertaining.

Maybe Washington and Cleveland can reignite something from when Lebron used to be a Cav. Tho Cleveland should outclass them.

Meh the East overall. For a really good rivalry, I want to see bonafide superstars clash and/or teams compete with something big on the line. The Cavs should have a roster set for them to compete. Probably Chicago if Rose can stay healthy. So that needs to develop, and I'm pretty sure the media will shove it down our throats like they did with Indiana and Miami, even though everyone knew Miami would win 10/10 times. The rest are battling for who can get to the second round. Big whoop.

Spurs and Dallas still have something going forever now. Not as intense as it used to be. I'm sure with their series going 7 last season and Dallas improving, there's another year or two for that one before both teams have to completely retool.

[sammichoffate]

Memphis/LAC and GSW/LAC, they meet almost every year and both teams ****ing hate LA. Pacers/Heat was a good one before the season ended. Dallas and SA is also a good one.

[SpecialQue]

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2071267/tonyallenkick.gif
http://gifsection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/griff-dolph.gif
http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1058540/gasolll.gif

[MP.Trey]

http://letsgowarriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140130_bogut-griffin-clippers.jpg
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/676/145/hi-res-8033756_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/1031/la_u_clippers01jr_600.jpg

[VengefulAngel]

Not many team rivalries, the only one that comes to mind is OKC/Memphis.

I suppose the greatest rivalry in the NBA is the MVP battle between LBJ/Kevin Durant.

(Almost forgot Lebron vs Spurs)

[RedBlackAttack]

I loved the down the road potential of the Cavs-Wizards prior to this summer... Kyrie-Wall, Waiters-Beal, etc. Now, there still may be something there but obviously the dynamics have changed.

If the Heat are able to regroup after losing James and Wade still shows he has something left in the tank, the Cavs-Heat have all the elements for a great rivalry. The story and history is certainly there.

[Duderonomy]

The league doesn't allowed "heated" rivalries. Its been that way since the Pistons/Pacers Brawl in 2004. Only fake tough guys since its easy to front knowing a real punch will get you 5 games minimum.

[VengefulAngel]

I loved the down the road potential of the Cavs-Wizards prior to this summer... Kyrie-Wall, Waiters-Beal, etc. Now, there still may be something there but obviously the dynamics have changed.

If the Heat are able to regroup after losing James and Wade still shows he has something left in the tank, the Cavs-Heat have all the elements for a great rivalry. The story and history is certainly there.

A rivalry is built over several years, Cavs-Heat really doesn't constitute a rivalry in the typical sense. Although as mentioned it does have terrific story behind it, which may be interesting if they meet in the play-offs. (Watching old Wade-Lebron battles).

[kurple]

i love the 3 way rivalry between Philly, Orlando and Bucks

who can suck the most

[Pra]

i love the 3 way rivalry between Philly, Orlando and Bucks

who can suck the most

:roll:

[Cold soul]

I think right now the best rivalry is Clippers and Golden State.

[I<3NBA]

after what happened last year's playoffs, i hope OKC and Clippers meet again.

[Legends66NBA7]

Clippers vs Grizzlies/Warriors

I don't think the East has a rivalry that stands out. At least, not after this off season.

[brantonli]

Rockets-Blazers would be another great rivalry if the Rockets roster wasn't tailor-made to get raped in the playoffs every year.

The Rockets outscored the Blazers in that series and still lost. That stat still annoys me to no end. I wouldn't be surprised if the two teams meet again in the playoffs and it's another ridiculously close series.

[Jef]

an argument could be made that it is pretty much any team playing the Clippers on any given night.

teams - and their fanbases - simply do not enjoy to play and watch games against a team of floppers that acts tough until the AC is turned up in the arena, at which point they throw their arms up and look like theyre about to cry.

griffin actually seems like a pretty cool (or at least reasonable) dude off the court, so it sucks that he let himself get roped in with Chris Paul and the gang.

may create a thread to propose a new nickname for him: Chris Fall.

and not because he goes down easily - because he doesnt show up in the Spring.

[wally_world]

The Clips have a rivalry with every team just because everyone hates CP and Blake :oldlol:

[Dragic4Life]

i love the 3 way rivalry between Philly, Orlando and Bucks

who can suck the most
:oldlol:

[MP.Trey]

may create a thread to propose a new nickname for him: Chris Fall.

and not because he goes down easily - because he doesnt show up in the Spring.
Not a CP hater at all but :roll: