Who doesn't love a good NBA rivalry? The way plays get so amped up and how the crowd responds creating an all-electric atmosphere inside an enclosed arena which creates a cauldron of noise.
The peak era for NBA rivalries was throughout the 80's and 90's. There's still a lot of feeling though between certain teams. Let's take a look at the biggest NBA rivalries of all time.
6. Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Warriors-Cavaliers has been one of the biggest NBA rivalries in recent times. Tanking the 2002-03 season changed Cleveland's fortunes around and they met Golden State in four consecutive NBA Finals during the 2010's. Golden State won three of those series featuring Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
LeBron James helped end a 52-year title drought for Cleveland in 2016 overcoming Golden State's 3-1 lead and following their regular season 73-9 all-time best record. Draymond Green also loved playing the villain during the rivalry and is hated by Cleveland fans.
It remains one of the biggest NBA rivalries has simmered in recent years and it has been ever since Golden State swept Cleveland in the 2018 NBA Finals. LeBron James left Cleveland for the Lakers right after the series.
There's a chance -- if both teams don't make the Finals and if LeBron leaves Cleveland this summer -- that was final Warriors-Cavs true rivalry game. 27 of them last four years. Some incredible moments/games.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 16, 2018
Source: Originally posted on Twitter by @anthonyVslater
5. LA Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Lakers and Spurs was considered at one stage to be the biggest NBA rivalry. LA is the only team that has a winning overall record against the San Antonio.
Both teams dominated the Western Conference during the 2000's. The Spurs won four NBA championships between 1999-2007 and the Lakers won five of their own between 2000-2010.
Some of the biggest superstars fuelled one of the biggest NBA rivalries of all time including Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Robert Horry. Horry spent six years with the Lakers and won three titles, then joining the Spurs in 2003 and winning another two more.
Lakers in San Antonio tonight! Do you think the Lakers-Spurs rivalry (1999-2004) matches the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the 1980s? #AskMT
Tweet your answers and tune in to the #LakeShow pregame at 4 PM with @champagnennuts & @LakersTalkESPN on Radio Disney 1110 AM 📻 pic.twitter.com/pAoXVikkmK — ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) November 25, 2019
Source: Originally posted on Twitter by @@ESPNLosAngeles
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
I loved the Spurs Lakers rivalry mostly because it was "new blood" after years of Celtics/Bulls/Lakers with the occasional dash of Pistons.
So true, Duncan helped to take the Spurs next level after Robinson.