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 – FEBRUARY 19: D’Angelo Russell No. 1 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Nick Young No. 0 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 19, 2016 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 19: D’Angelo Russell No. 1 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Nick Young No. 0 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 19, 2016 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. D’Angelo Russell vs. Nick Young

The Los Angeles Lakers have been awful since Kobe Bryant got that massive Time Warner contract extension. It was so bad for the team that the Lakers were the worst they ever were in the first year after the Black Mamba’s retirement. The Lakers ended up with the No. 2 overall pick and had one of the strangest storylines you will ever see from an NBA team.

It involved two guards and SnapChat. Goofy veteran sixth man Nick Young bragged about his work off the court. Second-year point guard D’Angelo Russell happened to record it on SnapChat and share it with the world. That did not go over so well with Young and his fiancé Iggy Azalea.

This was easily the most awkward moment from a pretty awkward 2016-17 NBA season. Young was furious and embarrassed. Obviously, the engagement between he and Azalea was off. Russell threw his teammate under the bus, even though both were in the wrong for their actions. The Lakers would trade Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez. Young would sign with the Golden State Warriors in the offseason as a free agent.

Even with the Ball family always in the headlines this year, the Lakers are in a better spot with Lonzo Ball as their point guard than with Russell and Young screwing around with a phone. Technology can bring down even the best of NBA backcourt friendships. Even though SnapChat deletes after 24 hours, we still remember.

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