Rivalries and sports are the perfect marriage.
We love the drama and storylines that are played out between two organizations.
The hatred between fan bases and organizations are just beautiful to see.
There are some amazing new rivalries emerging in the NBA.
We have been without real rivalries for a little while now.
The Golden State Warriors were the team that everyone was aiming to beat.
It was strictly a Warriors versus the field type of league for five years.
However, now we are getting real intensity between NBA teams.
This postseason is wide open and maybe the teams know that.
There are three new rivalries that we should be excited about in 2021 and beyond.
3. New York Knicks Vs. Atlanta Hawks
The most interesting series thus far in the Eastern Conference is the Atlanta Hawks versus the New York Knicks.
The Knicks and Hawks are coming off of their best seasons in quite some time.
We looked at this series as being close, but not this intense.
Trae Young has put himself in prime position to be the next sports villain for New York.
The trash talking begun in Game 1 and has not silenced.
“I’ll see you in the A.” – Trae Young to Knicks fans 👀
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 27, 2021
Players have talked on Twitter and to one another on the court.
Spike Lee is back in the playoffs cheering on his Knicks and being the antagonist for the opposing team.
The Knicks had several rivalries back in the day.
Whether it was the Chicago Bulls or Indiana Pacers, good Knicks teams had a villain.
Young and the Hawks might be that next villain for them to hate.
2. Denver Nuggets Vs. Portland Trail Blazers
For the second time in three seasons, the Denver Nuggets are facing off with the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA playoffs.
Also, these teams are even just like their first matchup.
This series will most likely go seven games once again.
The one difference between their first matchup with this one is the addition of Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony is a former superstar for the Nuggets until he wanted out.
Now he is with the Blazers and the Nuggets fans have not forgotten about the past.
Nuggets fans continue to boo Carmelo Anthony#RipCity #MileHighBasketball
— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) May 25, 2021
The boos have been prominent and will continue to be.
Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic might seem friendly on the court, but there is something between the two.
The Nuggets had both of them and had to choose which one was their center for the future.
They chose Jokic and shipped Nurkic out.
Also, there is Facundo Campazzo annoying both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
Facu baited CJ McCollum into this pic.twitter.com/ZxP9sX0Dxl
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) May 25, 2021
These two teams can be staples of the Western Conference and cement this rivalry with more playoff series in the future.
1. Los Angeles Clippers Vs. Dallas Mavericks
A series that has completely flipped is the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks one going on in the Western Conference.
This is a rematch of last season’s first-round matchup.
That series had some severe moments regarding the two teams, which has carried over this year.
Luka Doncic has had words with almost everyone on the Clippers within these last two seasons, with this series being aimed toward Patrick Beverley.
Luka big bucket on Pat Bev late, has words for him all the way down the floor pic.twitter.com/lPAwTADLdb
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 26, 2021
The Clippers were down 0-2 going to Dallas, but were able to even up the series.
Now it has turned into a best of three series between two rivals.
The trash talking is there and it will not stop.
This might be our next great rivalry if these teams stay together for the future.
NEXT: 3 Reasons Bulls Fell Flat And Missed 2021 NBA Postseason
