6 Biggest NBA Rivalries Of All Time

Rivalries in the NBA are normally created in two ways; teams from similar areas fighting for the attention of the crowd, or consistent matchups between two equally skilled teams that lead to heated confrontations. 

Some rivalries last only for a year or two. Others continue throughout their whole career. 

If heated rivals make it to the end, the Odds to Win NBA Finals will be based on who can keep their cool rather than the best team.

Boston Celtics vs. LA Lakers

Since the beginning of the NBA, this rivalry has been aflame. In the 1950s, the Lakers were in charge. They won almost every match and were consistently top of the league.

This was a massive change from 1947 when the team almost filed for bankruptcy due to lack of interest. Moving from Detroit to Minnesota, the Lakers wouldn’t reach LA until the 60s.

However, after a brush with financial struggle, they managed to bag George Mikan – a legendary center.

From that point on they dominated the league. However, at the same time, the Celtics started gaining traction. In 1956, the Celtics took the top spot from the Lakers. They ended up defending that title for 7 years. It was this intensity that created the rivalry.

Since this point, the players of each team were determined to prove that their talent was stronger. They have earned more MVPs, more championships, or had a larger following. Despite the rivalry lasting decades, it isn’t dying down soon.

Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons

Chicago and Detroit are just 280 miles away from each other, and in the Midwest, they are the biggest metropolitan cities around.

Detroit was considered the “bad boys” ever since the late 80s. Up against Legendary Michael Jordan, the Pistons knew they couldn’t take down Chicago unless they penned the prize Bull.

And so the “Jordan Rules” were invented. Detroit knew the only way to stop this godly player was to limit his clutch shots. Aiming to keep Jordan unstable was all they needed to prevent Chicago from gaining ground.

For three straight seasons, this tactic worked. But it also brewed anger from the Chicago fans. Was it a fair strategy, or was it unsporting behavior?

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks

The Bulls have created many rivalries in their time, and again it comes down to Michael Jordan. However, instead of a clash of sporting concepts, this rivalry is all about trash talk and physical aggression.

Patrick Ewing and Michael Jordan were friends long before their NBA games. They were both talented players and had amazing gameplay in their college years.

However, in the NBA, that closeness often crossed a line. If someone slipped, they would yell at the other. If a shove or fumble messed up a play, you could expect grabbed shirts and threats of violence.

Of course, both players say that the media blew up their fights to distorted levels, but as a fan, you could feel the intensity of their aggression.

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks

This rivalry reached its peak in the 90s. For 4 continuous years, this team battled it out in the playoffs. Each side was fueled with aggression, which easily spilled out onto the court as fouls were issued left, right, and center. Make sure to read NBA rumours to know more about this rivalry. 

Both teams had won two playoffs in that time, making them equally matched. However, in the 00s, the Knicks lost their prime player – Ewing. Falling from grace the rivals wouldn’t meet again until the 2012 NBA playoffs. Miami Heat won by a mile, killing the rivalry once and for all.

San Antonio Spurs vs. LA Lakers

In the 2000s, the Western Conference had two phenomenal teams – The Spurs and the Lakers. In fact, between 1999 and 2010, San Antonio won the NBA championships 4 times, while the Lakers won 5.

This back-and-forth between teams in the same conference created a rivalry like no other. The fans were either team Lakers or team Spurs. If your team wasn’t doing well, you hoped that the other team would fall too.

During this time we had some of the best basketball players on the court. Kobe Bryant, Robert Horry, Time Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili were all part of this massive rivalry and a big reason why the two teams battled so hard.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors

Lastly, our final rivalry is also the most recent. In the 2010s, the Cavaliers and the Warriors met in the NBA finals 4 times in a row. The first three were won by Golden State, but LeBron James was about to change the game.

He brought Cleveland out of a generations-long drought, earning their first title in 52 years.

The Warriors had guarded that honor like a Disney villain and loved playing the role.

Summary

When rival teams finally meet up, they usually play too aggressively to stay on top. It’s in these areas of weakness that an underdog might take the lead. 

True rivalries take years to develop, but they can all start with one bad play. Keep an eye on this year’s teams as tension could be building.