Which player vs. player rivalries do you feel are the best of all time.I have a feeling Bird and Magic will keep popping up, and is probably the best, along with the most publisized as well. <div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'>ChampionshipsLakers: 1980, '82, '85, '87, '88Celtics: 1981, '84, '86MVPsMagic: 1987, '89, '90Bird: 1984, '85, '86Head-to-head1984: Celtics 4, Lakers 31985: Lakers 4, Celtics 21987: Lakers 4, Celtics 2</div>Another one would be Russell vs. Wilt. Seems like with great team rivalries comes better one on one rivalries, and the Lakers and Celtics were huge rivals in these days. Here is a good article about these: http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/ryan_rivalries.html
1. Wilt Chamberlain vs Bill Russell. Nobody will ever play each other as much as these two did, They played against each other an astonishing 142 times with Russell and his Celtics edging Wilts 3 teams 85 wins to 57 wins. Wilt averaged 28 points and and 28 rebounds against Russell, While Russell on the other hand averaged 14 points and 24 rebounds against Wilt. It's obvious that Wilt dominates the stat section while Bill Russell always seemed to gain the most wins.It is either the simple fact that Wilt doesn't know how to win or that he lacked the supporting cast that Russell dominated with. People need to keep in mind that Russell played with 8 hall of famers. When it comes down to it Wilt may have always dominated Russell with stats but Russell ended his career with 11 titles compared to Wilts 2.2. Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson. What made this rivalry so great was that it started at the college level, When Magic's Michigan State team defeated Birds undefeated Indiana team in the NCAA championship game. Both had similar skills, But one was a guard and the other was a forward so they rarley guarded each other. They played 37 times against each other with Magic and the Lakers holding a 22-15 edge over Bird and the Celtics. It's AMAZING how similar there careers were. Bird has 3 MVPS, Magic has 3 MVPs. Bird made the All NBA First Team 9 times, Magic made the All NBA First Team 9 times. Both of these players have had amazing careers.
Kobe vs ShaqHakeem the Dream vs D-RobMicheal Jordan vs Clyde DrexlerLarry Bird vs Dominique WilkinsJerry West vs Oscar RobertsonJordan vs Bad Boy Pistons...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Micheal Jordan vs George Gervin</div>Huh? What are you talking about? George Gervin only played Michael Jordan twice in his entire career. They were even on the same team for one season but Jordan sat out most of the year with a broken ankle.Where do you get this stuff from?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Dec 29 2006, 12:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Huh? What are you talking about? George Gervin only played Michael Jordan twice in his entire career. They were even on the same team for one season but Jordan sat out most of the year with a broken ankle.Where do you get this stuff from?</div>Bulls vs BlazersEarly 90s, look it upI watched the game on ESPN Classic, pretty good
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Dec 29 2006, 01:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Bulls vs BlazersEarly 90s, look it upI watched the game on ESPN Classic, pretty good</div>Bro, George Gervin never once played for the Blazers. Are you thinking about Clyde Drexler?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Dec 29 2006, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Bro, George Gervin never once played for the Blazers. Are you thinking about Clyde Drexler?</div>yes. sorry. my bad. I know, I sound like an idiot, I meant clyde.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Dec 29 2006, 12:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe vs ShaqHakeem the Dream vs D-RobMicheal Jordan vs Clyde DrexlerLarry Bird vs Dominique WilkinsJerry West vs Oscar RobertsonJordan vs Bad Boy Pistons...</div>I've also gotta add Lebron James vs Carmelo and Lebron vs D-Wade
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Dec 29 2006, 09:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe vs Shaq</div>What? These guys have met 4 times. All of them being unimportant regular season games, they play completely different positions, their teams never have and are not rivals now. Kobe and Shaq may have their problems off the court, but on the court, they're not rivals at all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Dec 29 2006, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>yes. sorry. my bad. I know, I sound like an idiot, I meant clyde.</div> :HAHAHA:
bird vs magic, wilt vs russel.I don't see much player rivalries now-a-days though. Now that I think of it, there isn't really any team rivalries either.
I honestly dont think there is any one that can top Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird. They played against each other in college, and it carried over in to the pro's. Every year, it almost seemed like it was Bird agaisnt Magic in the finals more than the Lakers against the Celtics. They competed plenty of times for MVP awards, and they were two of the best players in their time, and in NBA history. I tihnk that Russell and Chamberlain is behind them, but I dont think it can match the intensity of Bird and Magics rivalry.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (coyn3burglar @ Dec 30 2006, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>bird vs magic, wilt vs russel.I don't see much player rivalries now-a-days though. Now that I think of it, there isn't really any team rivalries either.</div>I think Dallas-SA, Phoenix-LA, Phoenix-Dallas are pretty solid rivalries. If not rivalries then just amazing match-ups.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Devlin @ Dec 29 2006, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>" He needs a hug..."GUESS THAT RIVALRIE!!!</div>Ooh ooh! Kobe vs. Raja BellIt's a pretty good rivalry too considering they play the same position, they are both in the same division, etc. Just wait for Kobe to give an accidental body slam to Bell. :shifty2:
Seeing James vs. Wade is amazing.If u have not seen them 2 go at, you are missing amazing basketball.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Dec 30 2006, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lakers and Kings in years past.</div>It's player vs. Player, but I could see how it would be Shaq and Vlade Divac.
