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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The Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. The Clippers won, 121-115, (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. The Clippers won, 121-115, (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images) /

11. DeMarcus Cousins vs. Blake Griffin

When you’re big and played in the same division and one of the teams was sort of good and the other stunk, you better believe that DeMarcus Cousins and Blake Griffin hated each other. Cousins was the spoiled prince for the hapless Sacramento Kings. Griffin was the Kia dunking champion on your television set for the Los Angeles Clippers.

To be fair, they both have talent out the wazoo. Cousins can Boogie, dominate you in the low post, hit some 3s and get some technicals all in the same game. He’s the ultimate wild card in the Wild, Wild West. Boogie might play in the Big Easy now, but there’s nothing easy about getting this 7-footer in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Griffin has his own team now, and it’s not a good one. Losing Chris Paul’s ability to assist, he and DeAndre Jordan keep clogging the paint for the fast-sinking Clippers. This isn’t what Doc signed up for because he HATES rebuilds, but not as much as Griffin and Cousins might hate each other on the hardwood.

It would be only fitting that Boogie and The Brow would take the Clippers’ playoff spot from car-dunking Griffin and the Boys. Should the Pelicans reach their Optimal potential, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. They don’t win playoff games on the hardwood in NOLA, only on the gridiron. We’re going to miss the Cousins versus Griffin rivalry in the Pacific Division. Were you Team Boogie or Point Blake?

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