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The start of the 2021-22 NBA season is closer than we thought with training camp commencing on September 28. Thrills from the just-concluded season remain fresh in the memory of fans across all 30 teams, as they witnessed two unexpected teams making their way to the NBA Finals.
The NBA Finals showed the world why we love the game, with the Milwaukee Bucks going against the Phoenix Suns for the championship title. The Suns took an early 2-0 lead in the series and "boy" did the Bucks respond, winning the next four games to snatch the victory. Their successful campaign run saw them secure their second championship title - their first since 1971.
The 2020-21 NBA season showcased some old rivals in action, while we saw the birth of possible new rivalries. This coming season will be no different. With pre-season starting on October 3 and the regular season on October 19, here's a look at 5 rivalries we are excited about going into the new season.
#5. Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray
It was a Donavan Mitchell versus Jamal Murray game in the 2020-21 NBA Western Conference quarterfinal fixture between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz. Both players exhibited an explosive display of scoring at its finest.
Nuggets point guard Murray and Jazz shooting guard Mitchell are the only two players in the NBA to score more than 200 points in a postseason. With Mitchell leading with 254 points scored, and Murray behind with 221 points.
Mitchell landed the first punch, registering 57 points in Game 1 and Murray recorded 36 points to help the Nuggets secure the lead. Mitchell bossed the second and third games with 30 and 20 points respectively and was vital to the Jazz taking a 3-1 series lead at the end of Game 4.
Both players dueled 50s in Game 4, with Murray pulling a 3 at the buzzer to register 50 points, while Mitchell secured 51 points.
However, the Nuggets won the next three games to claim the series. Murray took the lead in scoring in Games 5 and 6, registering 42 and 50 points respectively. Both players and their teams went into Game 7 fatigued and stressed.
Although Mitchell scored more points, Murray made a late comeback to clinch victory for the Nuggets (80-78).
They are the only players to score 200+ points in the postseason.
With both players being only 23 years old, we are excited to see how this rivalry unfolds in the 2021-22 season and beyond.
#4. Dwight Howard and Nikola Jokic
The 2020-21 NBA season showed a glimpse into the formation of a rivalry between L.A. Lakers center Dwight Howard and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. This is one rivalry we expect to fester in the 2021-22 season.
On September 19, the Game 2 of the Nuggets series, Coach Vogel introduced Howard to the game off the bench and he was tasked with handling the Nuggets' big man, Jokic.
Howard was gliding through the court with a certain type of aura about him. The 3-time defensive player that we used to know was back.
You could tell he was having fun while handling the assignment that is Jokic. He was responsible for throwing Jokic off his rhythm and getting him in foul trouble in the game. The 8-time NBA All-Star featured for 16 minutes and recorded 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks in the game.
The Lakers' starting roster is quite uncertain, with Gasol being traded. If they go small, Anthony Davis will be called upon as the starting center but when they decide to go big, Dwight Howard or DeAndre Jordan will be fielded. The Howard/Jokic match-up in the 2021-22 NBA season is highly anticipated.
#3. Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul
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.
#2. Kevin Durant and LeBron James
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.
#1. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis
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.
