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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Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) and Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) teamed up during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center in Chicago on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Bulls won, 117-115. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) and Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) teamed up during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center in Chicago on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Bulls won, 117-115. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) /

4. Nikola Mirotic vs. Bobby Portis

You’re seeing a trend here, right? If two teammates did something dumb and we heard about it, no doubt that they are going to make this list. Ever since Michael Jordan retired for the second time, the Chicago Bulls haven’t been contending for NBA titles. This includes the yellings of the Tom Thibodeau era we love/hated so much.

Two players that he drafted have been stuck in a weird GarPax/Fred Hoiberg situation in Chicagoland. Nikola Mirotic is our favorite three-point flopping Spanish swingman. Bobby Portis was an outstanding player in college for Woo! Pig Sooie, but hasn’t exactly popped in the NBA. In the frustrating quagmire that is 2107-18 Bulls basketball, Portis and Mirotic would get into a preseason fight. Portis punched Mirotic broke his face.

No, that was not good at all. Chicago was a total disaster while Mirotic was on the mend. Portis tried to apologize to Mirotic, but he was all like “no, bro.” Mirotic would eventually return to the hardwood, semi-accepted Portis’ apology and the Bulls were no longer the worst team in basketball.

Sadly, this is not the first time that Bulls have punched teammates. Jordan punched Steve Kerr once in practice. Kerr would win five NBA Championships as a player and two as a head coach. If you do the math, that’s one more than Jordan. Chicago can only hope the Mirotic vs. Portis fiasco somehow builds a beautiful friendship that results in rings. It won’t be thanks for trying!

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