ESPN and ABC will feature an action-packed, five-game slate this week, dubbing it “NBA Rivals Week.” The inagurual week kicks off tomorrow with the NBA Countdown family chiming in at 7 PM EST. This line-up includes Malika Andrews, Chiney Ogwumike, Kendrick Perkins, Jalen Rose, and Adrian Wojnarowski. To follow, the Nets face the Sixers, then we head to the West Coast for a match-up between the Grizzlies and the Warriors.
Rivals week continues on Saturday which opens up with another NBA Countdown special with Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilson, Jalen Rose, and Adrian Wojnarowski. The Denver Nuggets will then face off against the Philadelphia Sixers to set the weekend off. Then, the Big Apple will see its two teams, the Knicks & Nets, go head-to-head before the Prime Time spot. Starting at 8:30 PM ET, the Boston Celtics will host their long-time rivals, Los Angeles Lakers, at TD Garden.
So, how far back do these rivals go in NBA history? Let’s take a quick look.
The Nets and the Sixers have a rivalry that goes all the way back to the late 1970s, back when the Nets were a New Jersey team. The Nets were the reigning ABA (American Basketball Association) champions, led by thee Julius “Dr. J” Irving. Things took a turn, however, when the Nets had to sell Irving’s contract to the Philadelphia Sixers, in order to fulfill a $4.8 “encroachment fee” to the League.
With their newly acquired star, the Sixers would go on to win the NBA Finals the next year, while the Nets sunk to the bottom of the standings. Ever since then, these two teams became each other’s biggest rivals.
While the Nets and Sixers rivalry is historical, the Grizzlies and Warriors rivalry is quite fresh.
These two squads met in the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, with the Warriors defeating the Grizzlies in six games. Morant, who suffered an injury in Game 3, and was sidelined for the rest of the series, would go on to say that the Grizzlies were the favorites to win. This comment, of course, did not sit well with the Warriors, and their fans. This would set the foundation for the NBA’s next great rivalry.
Representing the greatest city in the world, the New York Knicks have been the long-time favorites and the only home team for New Yorkers. Not until Brooklyn became the new home for the Nets. Separated by boroughs and egos, these two teams, represent NYC, but have somehow become local rivals. This match-up will always be an entertaining one.
Lastly, but surely not least, the Celtics and the Lakers rivalry is one of the oldest and most iconic in the book. There really isn’t much to say here, that isn’t already known. The historic franchises with the most rings, and undoubtedly homes to legendary players, this match-up will never get old.
Again, it all goes down this week for Rivals Week. Rep your squad, and tune in!
