NBA - Top 5 rivalries in the coming season

After years of being at the top of this category it’s time for the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics to take a back seat.

We all know the Heat vs Knicks, Heat vs Pacers are rivalries which would continue this season, however with numerous team jumping into the fray as title contenders, there are a few rivalries which have emerged heading into this season.

In some cases, public snipping has created bad enemies while in others the bad blood comes from past heated Playoff series and in some instances two teams are just simply on a collision course.

Here’s how my list looks :-

5. Playoff rivals: Los Angeles Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies

The Clippers and Grizzlies would be looking to gain an upper hand in the season series heading into the Playoffs.

Splitting the two meetings, the Clippers and Grizzlies have met twice in two years in the first round of the Playoffs.

In the 2012 Playoffs, the Clippers battled the Grizzlies in a hard fought series, including making a crazy 26-1 run in the fourth quarter to steal game 1 of the series at the Fedex Forum. It was a bitter, physical 7 game series in which the Clippers ended on the winning side.

The following year, the Clippers took the first two home games leaving the Grizzlies trailing 0-2 in the series. However a determined Grizzlies team avenged their last year’s loss by advancing to the second round of the Playoffs, beating the Clippers 4-2. Meanwhile the Clippers claim they were shorthanded due to Blake Griffin’s injury.

Keeping in mind the history of these two teams over the past couple of years, their meetings in the regular season would be closely watched.

4. Pacific Division rivals: Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors officially created a rivalry with their taunting celebration of Blake Griffin’s missed jump shot.

Here’s a video showing the same:-

The Los Angeles Clippers exacted revenge by defeating the Warriors by a score of 115-89 just three days later.

The personal feud between the teams respective Power Forwards David Lee and Blake Griffin along with their similar rising status and potential has left these two Pacific Division teams on a collision course. With the fall of the Los Angeles Lakers, the crown for the Division title is also up for grabs and these two teams would be the favorites to win it.

3. Neighbors at war: New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets

#7 Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks posts up against #7 Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets

After a solid debut season at the Barclays center, the Nets have made waves throughout the Big Apple.

Paul Pierce and J.R. Smith have traded words and as the Nets continue to spend like a socialite under Daddy’s credit card, there is going to be an ongoing question about which club owns New York.

Not to forget, last season Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett combined to create one of the most iconic standoffs and with both in closer geographic proximity, their meetings are poised to be one with excitement and tension.

Without doubt one of the league’s best “renewed” rivalry, its poised to be an exciting season in the Atlantic division.

2. Central Division rivals: Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers

The return of Derrick Rose along with the rise of the Indiana Pacers gives brith to a new rivalry in the Central Division.

The Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan rivalry had made these teams meetings exciting to watch all through the 90’s. Fast forward to 2013, its NBA youngest MVP Derrick Rose and NBA’s Most Improved Player Paul George who head the two title contending teams against each other.

Two key pieces of information were taken away from their pre-season encounter on October 5^th,

-Derrick Rose is the same as he ever was which is to say “awesome”.

- The two teams are not very fond of each other.

These two teams are surprisingly very similar. Both are led by young superstars, both are defense first teams and more importantly these two Central Division foes have championship dreams.

Can’t wait to see them in action!

1.Finals rematch : Miami Heat vs San Antonio Spurs

Spurs would look to avenge their loss in the Finals by sweeping the season series

We witnessed an extremely physical and competitive Finals series between these two teams past June. Looking forward to the season’s meeting, each team would be determined to make a statement.

Both teams would be thrilled to win both games, with the Heat focused on reminding the Spurs who the champions are and the Spurs would look to avenge their loss.

With the teams playing each other just twice, their meeting will not lack hype and media coverage. However the teams would definitely be equal to the task in entertaining the crowds with a great show.