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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Jan 31, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) chases during the second half at Verizon Center. Toronto won 120 - 116. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Paul Pierce and the Raptors

Paul Pierce is a future Hall of Famer, NBA Champion and one of the most despised men above the 49th Parallel. He has knocked Drake’s squad out of the postseason in two straight seasons. The worst part for Toronto fans is that he talks all the trash in the world. Not only does he talk, he backs it up.

The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors playoff series from 2014 still stings for many Canadian fans. Game 7 at home, 6 seconds left and your down by a single point. Kyle Lowry gets the ball and splits the defense, going for a floater as he enters the lane but guess who is there to block it? Paul “the Truth” Pierce.

It’s a sickening image for many Raptor fans to see Lowry being consoled by DeMar DeRozan. The Raptors win the Atlantic Division the next year and are poised for a big run. But guess who they match up with? Paul Pierce’s new team, the Washington Wizards.

Pierce even said before the series that the Raptors didn’t have “it.” Well, he wasn’t wrong. Pierce was a factor all series as his team swept the Raptors in convincing fashion. The former Jayhawk then trolled Raptor fans on Instagram and once again got the last word. The Raptors may not get another shot at Pierce in the Playoffs because he is out west now with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Next: 2. Cavaliers and Warriors

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