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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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball No. 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball No. 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

8. Lonzo Ball vs. Patrick Beverley

In the first day of the 2017-18 NBA season, we had a bit of the Battle of Los Angeles we all needed but didn’t know we needed. No Kobe Bryant or Point Blake Griffin. We’re talking about Patrick Beverley trying to humble Lonzo Ball from day one and that was awesome.

What was not awesome was that Beverley would get hurt not long after than. Ball decided to grow up a tad, while his outspoken father did not. He got a haircut and started to make the Lakers look less like a total train wreck with him as their starting point guard. Beverley’s Clippers are going nowhere fast.

What is a cool component to this quasi-emerging rivalry is that these two teams are rivals that share the same building and play in the same division. Ball went one-and-done playing for the UCLA Bruins before being drafted No. 2 overall by the Lakers. Beverley has had to claw his way into the league. He used to play overseas before becoming a starter for the Houston Rockets.

It’s a clash of styles. Ball is a gifted passer, long arms, questionable athleticism and a weird shot. Beverley is a scrappy defensive-minded point guard that thrives playing off the ball. Interestingly, they both make their teams better. It will be cool to see them battle for No. 8 seeds in the Western Conference playoffs for years to come. Can’t wait.

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