30 best personal rivalries in the NBA today
By John Buhler
16. Kelly Olynyk vs. Kelly Oubre Jr.
It was the second or third-best thing about that mini, albeit cute rivalry that the Washington Wizards had with the Boston Celtics last year. First, there were the petty funeral games that point guards John Wall and Isaiah Thomas came up with. Then, there was the Kelly Olynyk game all Washingtonian sports fans hated.
But mostly importantly, we’re talking about the Battle of the Kellys. There are two dudes in the NBA with the given name Kelly. And they don’t take no crap from nobody. Olynyk is a 7-foot Canadian from Vancouver with auburn hair strategically placed behind a headband. Oubre is a junior from Kansas that might not be garbage coming from the bad Wizards bench. We kind of like Oubre.
Except Olynyk. He didn’t like Oubre. Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, they don’t like each other. There is only enough room for one Kelly in the Eastern Conference. So naturally, they fought in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and it was amazing. It was too close to call, but clearly Kelly won. I’m certain of that, like 100 percent.
Turns out that fight was so good that Olynyk would get traded to South Beach and play for a Washington division rival in the Miami Heat. Miami and Washington could play each other in the playoffs. If the Heat and Wizards clash, please let us get the Battle of the Kellys, part deux. Not sure it will be good, but we live in a society that needs underwhelming sequels all the time! Give us more Kelly fighting stuff!