What Are the Top 4 Most Ruthless Rivalries of the NBA?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) as a sport has featured numerous spine-chilling and ruthless rivalries over the decades. Hardcore NBA fans have thoroughly enjoyed watching their favourite teams lock horns against each other and deliver roaring and record-breaking performances on the basketball court. 

In this article, we will take a look at the top four most ruthless rivalries in the history of the NBA. 

Detroit Pistons vs Chicago Bulls 

Legendary NBA player Michael Jordan has a great deal to do with the intense “Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls” rivalry that started in the late 1980s. Michael Jordan was considered to be one of the most lethal players of the Chicago Bulls and to tackle him, the coach of the Detroit Pistons squad initiated “Jordan Rules,” which involved a lot of physical play on the court, which often resulted in altercations and ultimately fumed the fierce rivalry between the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls even more. While the Detroit Pistons could only capture two NBA championship titles (1989 and 1990), the Chicago Bulls captured a total of six NBA championship titles, including 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. 

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

With a total of seventeen championship titles each, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have been arch-rivals in the history of the NBA. The two legendary players, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, from the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively, were often seen locking horns against each other at the NBA finals in the late 1980s NBA era. The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics is still revered as one of the most intense and fierce rivalries in the history of the NBA. 

Also Read: Top 5 NBA Players With Highest Number of Dunks 

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets

One of the most fierce and ruthless modern-day NBA rivalries undoubtedly includes the Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets. In addition to creating controversial moments on the basketball court, the players of both teams have also been involved in verbal as well as physical altercations even off the court, making it one of the most dangerous and brutal rivalries in the history of the NBA. Recently, Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets and Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers were seen exchanging hate slurs on social media, highlighting the intensity of rivalry and bad blood that runs between the two teams. 

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat 

The New York Knicks vs Miami Heat rivalry is often referred to as one of the most fierce rivalries that undoubtedly peaked in the late 1990s. The rivalry between the two teams worsened when the coach of the New York Knicks, Pat Riley, ended up leaving the New York Knicks squad and joining the Miami Heat as their head coach in 1995. This major change made the rivalry more brutal; additionally, the Miami Heat also clinched the NBA championship in 2006 under the guidance of Pat Riley, whereas the New York Knicks, on the other hand, didn’t win even a single championship title after the 1973 season.