Basically, the title.
Which among crean of the crop superstars rivals held each other the most that prevent both of them in climbing on most of the respectable and honorable nba all time list?
MY LIST
1. MAGIC AND BIRD
They are #1 for me. If either one of them doesn’t exist, the other one left will be the by far best player in the 80s. And ofc, as an effect will win more rings. (Maybe 2 or 3 more rings)
2. Kobe and Duncan
All those countless western conference playoffs matches. They were lucky they were both in West. So, their finals record is not affected by them winning/losing against each other. But still, the existence of both of them prevented each other of winning more rings
I want to put Russell and Wilt #3. But Russell won 11 rings to Wilt’s 2. So, they didn’t held each other.
Who else?
KD Bron
Not superstars, but: Jimmy Jackson vs Jamal Mashburn vs Jason Kidd, in a funny way.
Toni Braxton ruined a dynasty
A one sided rivalry but Steph stopped Harden from having a massive jump, stopped him from making the finals likely 3 times (2 for sure) and at least 1 ring for sure.
Steph ruined prime Harden’s legacy
I would want to say Miami LeBron and Duncan. the early 2010s showed the heated battle between 2 superstar trios: LeBron, Wade and Bosh (with Ray Allen) and Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. especially after that dagger 3 from Allen that gave LeBron his 1st championship, if not for Ray’s 3, LeBron would have 3 rings and Duncan 6.
Ray Allen dagger 3 was LeBron 2nd championship. His first one was over the young Thunders.
LeBron and Westbrook
Sadly most people don’t realise how good Wilt and Russell were. Wilt was possibly the most physically gifted athlete of all time across all sports. His raw body size and attributes are stuff of science fiction. The fact that Russell could consistently beat him (and everyone else) puts Bill Russell as the greatest winner of all time.
Russell definitely held back West, Baylor and Wilt (and everyone) from rings tho
Kobe and Shaq (if they got along better theyd have at least 6 rings)
Yeah, it sucks that they have to settle for the only 3peat in the modern era
Dr J against both Bird and Magic is worth mentioning. He went up against Bird four times and went 2-2, and Magic three times 1-2. Bird and Dr J were beating each other up in the east, and the winner then had to go up against Magic in the finals. Dr J could have been much higher on the all time list if one of Bird or Magic didn’t exist, but he ended up becoming victimized by both of them.
They were lucky they were both in West. So, their finals record is not affected by them winning/losing against each other.
That DRIVES ME NUTS.
Nothing towards OP. I’ve just heard the sentiment for years and years now and it MAKES NO SENSE.
Instead of losing to Kobe in a hypothetical Finals, Duncan was “lucky” he instead lost to the Lakers BEFORE the Finals?!?!?!?
MJ vs everyone else in the 90’s
Kobe and Shaq. They could have won so much more if they worked together as long as they could have.
I’m always amused by narratives where it’s better to lose before the finals, or not even make the playoffs, than to lose in the finals.
LeBron and Dan Gilbert; LeBron and Curry/KD
If Dan Gilbert was competent, LeBron likely stays in Cleveland for at least 20 years, and brings multiple titles before 2016.
If Curry and KD didn’t team up to take down LeBron, Cavs probably three-peat, or win a couple more in the next 3 years, and LeBron stays in Cleveland.
I don’t know if it would be enough to unanimously put him over Jordan, but it certainly helps his case. Dude is low key unlucky asf lol
Kobe and Duncan were never rivals. There wasn’t any real hate or storyline.
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Magic vs. Bird.
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Russell vs. Chamberlain.
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Jordan vs. Thomas. Piston vs. Bulls had real animosity. Jordan would’ve had 8 titles in a row if not for the Pistons.
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