I was watching a promo for the Laker vs Cav game that is coming up and it made me think up an interesting post to write. In the NBA the best individual rivalry is Lebron James vs. Kobe Bryant. Even though this rivalry has lasted only 4 years some are comparing it to the greatest rivalries in NBA history so I decided why not write about what I feel are the best individual rivalries of all time.
5) Lebron vs Kobe: While this rivalry is young and they have not played each other in the finals yet this is still one of the best rivalries of the decade. The difference in the way they play with Kobe using his outside jump shot and post up game to do damage while Lebron favors using his immense physical gifts to get to the rim. There contrasting styles are very fun to watch especially because I feel when they play Kobe brings the best out of Lebron because he forces him to use all his skills. If they can both carry there teams to the finals, this rivalry could be one best ever.
4) Shaq vs Duncan: The best battle of big men since the days of Russell and Chamberlain. Since the beginning of the decade all these two have done is combine to win seven of the decades championships. With the changing of the way basketball is played the days of dominant post players is more than likely coming to an end so this could be the last great match up of big men. What was unique about this rivalry was the difference in play, Duncan's fundamental beauty against Shaq's physical dominance in the post. This rivalry could have been one of the best if they would have meet in the finals, but even without this happening it is still one of the all time greats.
3) MJ vs 90's: I have to include his Airness on the list even though he did not have a main stay of a rivalry throughout his career. It comes down to three guys in particular who tried to be but just could never get the best of Michael. The first was Isiah Thomas, the tenacious point guard of the Detroit Pistons who kept MJ from getting to the finals two years in a row. Thomas dirty play against Michael forced him to learn how to use his teammates better and eventually rise above and win three championships in a row. Patrick Ewing is really the only consistent rival of Jordans career, he always gave Michael problems for almost the entire decade but could never beat Jordan. Last but not least Karl Malone possibly the best Power Forward of all time played against MJ two times in the finals. Almost pushing Jordans bulls to the limit in 98 but like all the others before him could never put him down.
2) Wilt vs. Russell: The greatest battle of centers of all time and it is not even close. The classic match up of the hard worker vs the flashy big shot. No two centers have ever dominated the game like Russell and Chamberlain. Russell defensive skills are the best in league history and Chamberlain is probably the most dominant offensive post player ever. To watch them play was so special because there were really no other players in the league of there size and strength. Even though Bill won more rings the games they played against each other are still fun to watch to this day.
1) Magic vs. Bird: Anyone who loves basketball knew this was gonna happen. This legendary rivalry didn't start in the NBA but in college with Magics Michigan St. team beating Birds Indiana St. team in the NCAA finals. Once Magic and Bird entered the NBA they helped usher in the new era of basketball and there rivalry is what fueled it. It was such a good match up not only because bird was the blue collar worker with the deadly outside jump shot and Magic was the leader of west coast flash and up tempo style. But also where they played, with Bird in Boston a blue collar city of hard working people. Magic in the exact opposite playing in L.A. the flashy media frenzy city that loves entertainment. This only fueled there meetings to the point it was expected for the Celtics to play the Lakers in the championship every year. Even though Magic holds the slight edges in championships there rivalry is still one of the best of all time not just in the NBA but in all sports.
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