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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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 09: LeBron James No. 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Stephen Curry No. 30 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 09: LeBron James No. 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Stephen Curry No. 30 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James

For the last three years, it has been the Cleveland Cavaliers versus the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Golden State has won in the odd-numbered years in 2015 and 2017, while Cleveland got its first-ever title in 2016. The two iconic players for both teams are Stephen Curry for Golden State and LeBron James for Cleveland.

James has been the best player in the NBA for the last decade plus. He is in elite company with Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson as the three best players in NBA history. Curry, on the other hand, has been the most impactful player of his generation. Curry has brought the 3-point game to the forefront as the greatest sharpshooter of possibly all-time.

Then there is the 3-1 stuff and the associated cookies that come with it. Curry won back-to-back NBA MVPs in 2015 and 2016. In his second of two straight MVPs, Curry became the first player to win the award unanimously. Too bad Cleveland overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the 73-win Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.

Whether you are Team Steph or Team LeBron, you’re clearly siding with a champion. Do you like the Adonis from Akron or the cherubic Curry from Charlotte? Either way, these two players are great and their rivalry is a fun one to watch unfold twice during the regular season and for a series in June.

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