NBA: 5 best rivalries in 2015-16

By JT Tomiyama | Dec 5, 2015

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Warriors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

5. LeBron James and the Spurs

When LeBron James has a nightmare the San Antonio Spurs must be a part of it in someway. James and the Spurs have gone to battle three times for an NBA Championship. Tim Duncan and the Spurs have come away from those NBA Finals with two Larry O’Brien trophies.

The King just can’t get rid of these guys. He beat them in seven games with the Heat in 2013 for his second ring. If Ray Allen doesn’t hit that corner three in Game 6 to force a Game 7, LeBron’s legacy is forever changed. He could have joined the likes of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as a star who three-peated. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Gregg Popovich denied him any chance of that.

A three-peat just wasn’t in the cards for the Akron Kid. The San Antonio Spurs played some of the most beautiful basketball the world has seen. San Antonio put on a clinic for six games and claimed their 5th championship. From cramps to the smothering defense of Kawhi Lenonard, LeBron stood no chance against “the old” guys of the NBA.

This isn’t the kind of rivalry where there are fights or nasty words exchanged. It’s two of the elite in basketball going toe-to-toe.

All eyes will be glued on the match up whether it be a TNT Thursday Night game or just a regular season game.

Next: 4. Clippers and Mavericks

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