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 25: Chris Paul No. 3 and Blake Griffin No. 32 during a time out in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 25: Chris Paul No. 3 and Blake Griffin No. 32 during a time out in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

6. Blake Griffin vs. Chris Paul

This one stings a little bit. It’s a new scar down in Los Angeles, but with time it will heal. Or not, we are talking about the two greatest players in Los Angeles Clippers history. The dynamic Lob City tandem that was point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin is no more. Griffin re-upped with the Clippers on a five-year deal and then got hurt. Paul decided to play with James Harden and the Houston Rockets.

Griffin has always put butts in seats for owner Steve Ballmer. He is immensely popular in Los Angeles from all those Kia commercials. However, his body is starting to break down after dunking over all those Kia Optimas in NBA All-Star Games. While Paul’s fragility has come in to play in recent years, he’s probably the best point guard to have never even played in a conference finals.

See, that was the problem with these two. Los Angeles probably should have contended for a Western Conference Championship in any of the last four years. But they blew that huge lead to the Rockets back in 2015. The team never recovered, as it was a joyless slog on an NBA season last season.

Of course, the Rivers men were a huge part of this in Paul essentially forcing a trade to the Rockets. However, all we will remember about the Lob City Clippers are the State Farm and Kia commercials. How did this group not win more? This breakup stinks, but it had to happen. Paul might win a ring in Houston, but Los Angeles has missed its window for sure.

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