What’s the absolute best rivalry going in the NBA? The Lakers and Kings. There is no close second. I’m not even sure there is a second.
While other NBA rivalries have waned to the point of non-existence, the Lakers-Kings rivalry has blossomed into an absolute delight. There’s some genuine bitterness here. Respect abetted by disdain. Teams that truly don’t like each other.
It has players talking smack. Coach Phil Jackson tweaking the entire city of Sacramento. SoCal vs. NoCal. Big city vs. rural. Doug Christie and Rick Fox trading blows. And, of course, cowbells.
There are oversized personalities, fire-breathing fans, conspiracy theories and lots of heartbreaks in the city Arnold now calls home.
The Kings do not like the Lakers. Too Hollywood. Too full of themselves. Too favored by the refs. Too many times (three) they’ve lost to L.A. in the playoffs.
The Lakers look down on the Kings. Too much talking for having done so little. Too much whining to the refs. Too many flops. And too many cowbells in their ears.
“I respect the fact they’ve put together great regular seasons,” Fox said. “But don’t talk to me about the championship or what you could have done or how you got cheated. That’s not anything I have patience for.”
A little dig here, a little smack in the face there.
The NBA needs rivals like this. Talent-rich, successful teams that get each other’s blood boiling.
