5 player rivalries we're excited for in the 2021-22 NBA season

#3. Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles as Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers reaches for the ball in the third quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

The 7-time NBA All-Defensive First Team player, Chris Paul, was traded to the Phoenix Suns from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a four year deal that's worth about $120 million. He came into the team and had an immediate impact, influencing the team with the winning mentality that took them all the way to the NBA Finals but they were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Suns took the lead (2-0) but lost the next four games to the Bucks. Paul is yet to win a championship ring and so the loss was a lot more painful.

Paul and the Suns knocked the L.A. Lakers out in the first round of the NBA playoffs with a Game 6 113-110 victory, denying them the opportunity to retain the title.

So there's a rift between the two teams and with Russell Westbrook coming to join LeBron and the guys at the Lakers, it is his responsibility to hold Paul off. The 11-time NBA All-Star registered an average of 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game in 70 games played, with a field goal of 49.9% in his debut season for the Suns.

Westbrook recorded an average of 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game for the Washington Wizards last season. His move to the Lakers makes him the 7th NBA MVP titleholder to be acquired by the franchise. He will be joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis to form a well-packed super-team. They are favorites to win the NBA Finals.

With both teams being in the Western Conference, we will be seeing Paul and Westbrook go head-to-head.

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#2. Kevin Durant and LeBron James

Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets heads for the net in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

With the Brooklyn Nets and L.A. Lakers as the two favorites for the 2021-22 NBA Finals, we hope to see a match-up between Kevin Durant and LeBron James. If that plays out, it would be their fourth head-to-head Finals ever.

Both players will be heavy contenders for the Most Valuable Player of the Year award assuming they both run an amazing campaign.

There have been some discussions about Durant dethroning LeBron as the new face of the NBA. A discussion that was partly sparked by Scott Pippen. This season will be a deciding factor for Durant as he is expected to really put up a chase. Durant is coming into the season with a major boost, having led the USA basketball team to a historic fourth consecutive gold medal in the Olympics.

Both players have met a total of 35 times in the NBA and James has secured more wins over Durant (20 wins). Durant only managed major wins over James when he joined the superteam, the Golden State Warriors. Having only played in different conferences, both players have only met in the playoffs.

Durant was formerly in the NBA Western Conference representing the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Warriors, while James was with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. They are currently switched with James in the West, playing for the Lakers and Durant in the East, having moved to the Nets.

While they are friends off the court, they go to battle when they slip on their various team jerseys. Both players have not met since 2018 owing to injuries, hopefully they can stay healthy and give us a show in the coming season.

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#1. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after his blocked shot of Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on March 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

The rivalry and comparison between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis is one that has been in existence for almost the entirety of their NBA careers. While they have very different playing styles, both players are the best power forwards in the league.

Giannis had a great campaign the previous season, winning his first championship title with the Milwaukee Bucks and becoming the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. He averaged 28.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game in the 2020-21 season.

Davis' previous season was marred by injury spells that saw him feature in only 36 games in the regular season. However, he recorded 21.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the L.A. Lakers. The 8-time NBA All-Star player had to miss the 2020-21 All-Star game as he suffered a calf strain.

Giannis, who is an athletic powerhouse, has proven to be an all-around player with a field goal attempt of 56.9%, netting 10.3 times from the field in 18 attempts. With Giannis on the floor, opponents shot an effective field goal percentage of .534, and .539 without him.

Only Davis can match the dominance of the Greek Freak in the paint as he can also be an interior force and we will be looking forward to their match-up.