The Fa NBA’s Greatest Rivalries

The Fa NBA’s Greatest Rivalries of All Time

The fiercest NBA rivalries of all time

When it comes to basketball, the NBA has some of the most heated rivalries in all of sports. These match-ups are often determined by geographical location, players on opposing teams, or simply a long-standing tradition. No matter the cause, these rivalries always bring out the best (and worst) in both players and fans.

Here are some of the fiercest NBA rivalries of all time:

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This rivalry began in the 1950s when the two teams were the dominant forces in the NBA. It intensified in the 1980s when both teams had several Hall of Fame players on their rosters. The Celtics and Lakers have met a total of 12 times in the NBA Finals with the Celtics winning nine times.

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
This rivalry was born out of intense playoff battles in the 1990s and early 2000s. The Knicks and Pacers met seven times in the playoffs during this time period, with the Pacers winning five times. This rivalry has simmered in recent years but it has still managed to produce some memorable moments.

Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
This rivalry is also known as “The bad boys Rivalry” because it was fueled by the physical play of the Pistons in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Pistons were notorious for their “dirty” play, which led to several altercations between players on both teams. The Bulls finally got revenge against the Pistons in 1991 when they won their first championship after losing to them in previous years.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets

The top 5 NBA rivalries of the 21st century

Though there have been many great NBA rivalries throughout the years, the 21st century has given birth to some of the best. Here are the top 5 NBA rivalries of the 21st century.

1. Lakers vs. Spurs
This rivalry includes some of the most iconic players and teams of the 21st century. The Lakers and Spurs have met in the playoffs 8 times since 2000, with the Lakers winning 6 of those series. However, the Spurs got the last laugh in 2014 when they knocked off a heavily favored Lakers team in the first round.

2. Celtics vs. Pistons
This is a rivalry that dates back to the 1980s, but it was renewed in the 21st century when these two teams met in 3 straight Eastern Conference Finals from 2002-2004 (with the Pistons winning all 3). The Celtics finally got revenge in 2008 when they defeated the Pistons in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to an NBA title

3. Clippers vs. Warriors
This is a fairly new rivalry, but it’s already one of the best in the league. The Clippers and Warriors have met in the playoffs 3 times since 2013, with each team winning 1 series (the Warriors won in 2013 and 2014, while the Clippers won in 2015). These two teams are also division rivals, which makes their matchups even more heated.

4. Heat vs. Knicks
This is another rivalry that dates back to the 1990s, but it was resurrected in 2012 when these two teams met in 4 consecutive playoff series (with each team winning 2). The Heat finally got some payback against their longtime rivals by defeating them in 5 games during their 2013 playoff series en route to an NBA title

5. Cavaliers vs. Warriors
This is hands down currently THE best rivalry in basketball (and possibly all of sports). These two teams have met in 3 straight NBA Finals from 2015-2017, with each team winning 1 series (the Cavaliers won in 2016 and then lost to an Kevin Durant led Warriors team last year). They are also currently at war with each other off-the-court as well due to LeBron James’ decision to leave Cleveland for Los Angeles this past offseason after losing to Golden State again last June.

The most heated NBA rivalries right now

There are a lot of great rivalries in the NBA right now. Here are some of the most heated ones:

-The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been meeting in the NBA Finals for the past four years, with the Warriors winning three times.
-The Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors have had some intense battles over the past few years, with both teams vying for Western Conference supremacy.
-The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers have a long-standing rivalry that has been renewed in recent years as both teams have emerged as contenders in the Eastern Conference
-The Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers share a city, but they also share a rivalry that has heated up in recent years as both teams have become contenders in the Western Conference

Why NBA rivalries are so intense

When it comes to NBA rivalries, there’s intense, and then there’s L.A. Lakers vs. the Boston Celtics intense. For more than three decades, these two teams have been the Gold Standard for hatred and intensity in the NBA, and their rivalry is widely considered to be the greatest in the history of Professional Basketball

There are a number of factors that contribute to the intensity of an NBA rivalry: geographical proximity, frequent appearances in the playoffs, and star players on both sides. But when it comes down to it, the root of all NBA rivalries is simple—it’s all about winning.

championship titles since theNBA was founded in 1947, and they’ve met a whopping 12 times in the Finals. The Lakers have won nine titles during that time, while the Celtics have won 17. But it’s not just the quantity of championships that makes this rivalry so special—it’s also the way that these two teams have consistently battled for supremacy over the course of several generations.

Some of the greatest players in NBA history have played for either the Lakers or the Celtics, and many of them have played pivotal roles in some of the most thrilling moments in Finals history. From Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce this rivalry has had no shortage of star power.

And even though these two teams haven’t faced each other in the Finals since 2010, their hatred for each other is as strong as ever. So when they do meet again on Christmas Day this year, don’t be surprised if it feels like they never left.

How NBA rivalries start

You don’t have to love everything about your favorite team In fact, most fans have at least one team they can’t stand. Maybe it’s because they’re always winning, or maybe it’s because they have players you just can’t stand. Whatever the reason, these rivalries make watching NBA games more fun.

Rivalries usually start because of geographical proximity, like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers, or because of conference affiliation, like the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons Sometimes they develop because of bad blood between specific players, like when Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were feuding on the Lakers.

Whatever the reason, rivalries make the NBA more interesting to watch. And some of them have even led to real-life altercations. Here are five of the best NBA rivalries:

1) The Los Angeles Lakers vs. The Boston Celtics
This is perhaps the Greatest Rivalry in all of basketball. The two teams have faced off in the Finals a record 12 times, with the Celtics winning nine times. These two teams also hold the record for most regular-season wins in NBA history

2) The Chicago Bulls vs. The Detroit Pistons
This rivalry started in the 1980s when the Pistons began to dominate the Eastern Conference The Bulls finally broke through and won their first championship in 1991, but it was a hard-fought series that featured several altercations between players. This rivalry was resurrected in 2006 when the two teams met again in the Eastern Conference Finals

3) The Miami Heat vs. The New York Knicks
This is a relatively new rivalry, but it has already produced some classic moments. The two teams have met in the playoffs three times since 2012, with each series going down to the wire. This rivalry is likely to continue for years to come as both teams try to rebuild their rosters and compete for championships.

4) The Houston Rockets vs. The Dallas Mavericks
This Texas rivals first met in 1981 when both teams were in different conferences. But they really started hating each other when they met in back-to-back Western Conference Finals in 2005 and 2006, with each team winning a series apiece. This rivalry was only intensified when Mavericks owner Mark Cuban called Rockets GM Daryl Morey a “Tweeter tweeter” during an interview in 2017 . . . which led Morey to tweet out a picture of him wearing a “Cuban Missle Crisis” t-shirt . . . which Cuban then bought for every member of his staff as a Christmas present that year! Safe to say, these two organizations don’t like each other very much right now! (Cue pictrure: https://pbs

How NBA rivalries end

It seems like every day there’s a new story about how an NBA rivalry has come to an end. It’s become so commonplace that we almost expect it. But how do these rivalries actually end?

Some NBA rivalries end simply because one team becomes dominant and the other can no longer keep up. This was the case with the Lakers-Celtics rivalry, which ended when the Lakers won eight championships in a span of 12 years. The Celtics, meanwhile, haven’t Won a Title since 2008.

Other NBA rivalries end because of a change in personnel. This was the case with the Pistons-Bulls rivalry, which ended when Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls in 1998. The Pistons also disbanded their “Bad Boys” team around this time, making way for a new era of Pistons basketball.

Still other NBA rivalries end because of geography. This was the case with the Sonics-Jazz rivalry, which ended when the Sonics moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Jazz are now the only team in Utah, making them the state’s sole NBA representative.

Finally, some NBA rivalries just fade away over time. This was the case with the Knicks-Nets rivalry, which was once one of the fiercest in all of sports but has cooled significantly in recent years. Part of this is due to the fact that both teams have been struggling lately, but it’s also because New York is now home to two NBA teams (the Knicks and Nets) instead of just one (the Knicks).

The best players in NBA rivalries

The best players in NBA rivalries have been around for years, and their legacies will continue to live on. From the young up-and-comers to the seasoned veterans, these are the best of the best when it comes to playing in an NBA rivalry.

The worst players in NBA rivalries

There are many great NBA rivalries, but there are also some not so great ones. Here is a list of the worst players in NBA rivalries.

· Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors – J.R. Smith
· Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics – Rajon Rondo
· Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls – Luol Deng
· Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs – Dion Waiters

The best moments in NBA rivalries

The best moments in NBA rivalries are some of the most unforgettable moments in Basketball History From the battles between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers to the heated confrontations between the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls these rivalries have produced some of the most intense moments in all of sports. Here are five of the best moments in NBA rivalries:

1) The 2008 Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons is often considered one of the best playoff series ever played. The series went to seven games, with each team winning on its home court In the final seconds of Game 7, Celtics forward Kevin Garnett hit a jumper to give Boston a 79-78 lead, and ultimately the series victory.

2) In 1986, two of the league’s greatest players faced off in the Finals for the first time ever. Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics took on Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers in a classic seven-game series. The Lakers won Game 7 by a score of 115-104, giving them their ninth NBA Championship

3) One of the most notorious moments in NBA history came during a game between the Pistons and Bulls in 1991. With just over eight seconds remaining in overtime and Chicago leading 107-106, Michael Jordan hit a jump shot to give the Bulls a 109-106 lead. As he landed, Jordan was fouled by Detroit’s Bill Laimbeer Jordan then calmly sank his free throw to seal Chicago’s victory.

4) In 1999, two superstars squared off in what was arguably the greatest individual matchup in NBA Finals history. Shaquille O’Neal’s Los Angeles Lakers took on Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs in a hard-fought seven-game series. Duncan ultimately came out on top, leading his team to a thrilling come-from-behind victory in Game 7.

5) One of the most heated rivalries in recent years has been between Lebron James and Paul Pierce The two have faced off numerous times in both regular season and playoff matchups, with each player holding his own against the other. In 2008, James led his Cleveland Cavaliers to an upset victory over Pierce’s Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The worst moments in NBA rivalries

The Celtics and Lakers have been two of the NBA’s most successful franchises. They have also been its biggest rivals. The two teams have played each other over 200 times, including 12 times in the Finals.

While their rivalry has had some great moments, it has also had some bad ones. Here are the worst moments in Celtics-Lakers history.

The 1967 Explosions
In 1967, the Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals for the seventh time in 10 years. The Lakers had won four of those previous meetings, but the Celtics were determined to end their dominance.

In Game 1, emotions boiled over and a fight broke out between players and fans. Then, in Game 4, things got even worse. A fan threw a lit cigarette onto the court, setting off a small explosion. As players fled the court, more explosions went off, sending shards of glass flying into the stands. 14 people were injured, and the game was never finished. It remains the only Playoff Game in NBA history to be cancelled due to crowd violence.

The 1984 Draft Day Trade
In 1984, the Celtics and Lakers were once again at odds with each other, this time over who would draft UCLA star center Sam Bowie with the second overall pick in the draft. The Lakers wanted Bowie to replace an aging Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but the Celtics saw him as a potential replacement for aging legend Bill Russell

The two teams eventually came to an agreement: The Lakers would draft Bowie with the second pick, while the Celtics would get three future first-Round Draft picks from Los Angeles It was a win-win for both sides…except for Bowie himself, who ended up being a bust. He played just four seasons with the Lakers before being traded away.