Fansided

30 best personal rivalries in the NBA today

By John Buhler

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 18: Kevin Durant No. 35 of the Golden State Warriors and Russell Westbrook No. 0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder point in different directions after the ball went out of bounds at ORACLE Arena on January 18, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 18: Kevin Durant No. 35 of the Golden State Warriors and Russell Westbrook No. 0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder point in different directions after the ball went out of bounds at ORACLE Arena on January 18, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 12: John Wall No. 2 of the Washington Wizards turns into Isaiah Thomas No. 4 of the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the NBA Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Verizon Center on May 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 12: John Wall No. 2 of the Washington Wizards turns into Isaiah Thomas No. 4 of the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the NBA Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Verizon Center on May 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

13. Isaiah Thomas vs. John Wall

For two guys that have never played in an NBA Finals, the petty one-year rivalry between Isiah Thomas and John Wall was amazing. Their two teams played dress up, as in doing funeral games versus each other. It was pretty neat. Boston and Washington would agree on that note.

Last season, Thomas and Wall were serious NBA MVP candidates at point guard. The only problem was that they couldn’t average triple-doubles. It did not matter that they both won a playoff series, the voters were preoccupied with stats. Were they not watching the most awesome, short-lived petty rivalry the Eastern Conference has ever seen?

Technically, the rivalry could continue, but it will involve a different team. By getting dumped in favor of Flat-Earth Truther Kyrie Irving, IT now plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James. The Wizards used to bother James before he took his talents to South Beach. With Thomas and Wall already not liking each other, can we expect more funeral games in the 2018 Eastern Conference Playoffs. Let’s hope so!

Thomas still needs to come back from his busted hip, but he’ll be ready for Wall or whatever lies in his way in the Eastern Conference. No, he won’t be able to guard Wall off the dribble because he can’t guard anybody off the dribble, but by no means is this rivalry done…yet.

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