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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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 30: Kyle Korver No. 26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gestures to the officials in the second half of their 104-101 loss to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 30: Kyle Korver No. 26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gestures to the officials in the second half of their 104-101 loss to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

27. Kyle Korver vs. J.J. Redick

Before shooting a bunch of 3-pointers was cool, they were doing it. They have both played for the Philadelphia 76ers at one point in the NBA careers. And they both have a son named Knox. Call them friends, call them frenemies, call them what you will.

There is absolutely a jump-shooting rivalry between Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Kyle Korver and 76ers shooting guard J.J. Redick. They push each other to be more excellent. Korver got drafted first because he’s a little older. Redick made it to the NBA Finals first. Korver was a one-time All-Star. Redick signed a one-year deal worth over $20 million.

The one-upsmanship in this Eastern Conference shooting guard rivalry is outstanding. Redick thought he was all cool going to Los Angeles, but couldn’t make the NBA Finals because he played for the shipwrecked Clippers. Korver went to the Atlanta Hawks, won 60 games, earned the respect of LeBron James and now hangs out with the King in Northeast Ohio.

If one of these guys shoots below 40 percent from behind the arc, the other laughs about it. Frankly, they need each other because they deserve each other. If we needed a shoot-a-thon to help raise awareness to some cause, no doubt we’d have shooting guard rivals Korver and Redick shoot it out for our enjoyment. These guys are awesome.

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