In this week's Top 5, we're looking at the five greatest sporting rivalries.
It doesn't matter what sport you watch, there are always a couple of teams or countries that clash, and want nothing more than to beat their arch rival. It's these clashes that produce the greatest games to watch.
In this Top 5, we've gone with team/country rivalries rather than individual rivalries, which will be a whole different Top 5.
So, here we go:
5. Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
This fierce rivalry dates back to the 1960s, when the Boston Celtics dominated the NBA, defeating the Lakers six times in eight years to claim the NBA Championship. The rivalry came to represent the working class Celtics, up against the Hollywood-lifestyle Lakers.
The rivalry really began to heat up in the 1980s when both sides were on top of the NBA pile, and the two sides renewed there battle for supremacy. What made the rivalry during the '80s even greater was the individual player rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. It helped to re-popularise the NBA, which, due to poor crowd numbers, was struggling financially at the time.
The rivalry between the two disappeared during the 1990s, when basketball was dominated by the Chicago Bulls, and one Michael Jordan. But in 2008, the world was reintroduced to the greatest rivalry in basketball history. The Celtics and Lakers met in the final for the first time in 21 years, with the Celtics clinching the series in Game six.
Could it be the rebirth of the famous rivalry? Only time will tell.
4. Australia vs England, The Ashes
The Ashes is one of the greatest rivalries in all of cricket. Since 1882, Australia and England have battled it out for the famous "Urn". The two sides have met in 64 Ashes series, usually consisting of five Test matches, with Australia winning 31 and England 28 (five series have been drawn).
Australia has dominated the Ashes over the past twenty years, with England's best result coming in 2005 when they defeated the heavily favoured Aussies, only to lose the following series 5-0. As far as rivalries go, the Ashes series is amongst the best, and some of the greatest moments in cricket history have come from this great competition.
3. Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees
This rivalry is one of the oldest in sports history, and is considered one of the greatest in American sports. The origins of this rivalry go back to 1920, when a young Babe Ruth was sold by Harry Frazee to the New York Yankees. This sparked the beginning of the Yankees' rise in baseball, the downfall of the Red Sox, and the famous "Curse of the Bambino".
7 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Nick Johnston 10 months ago
As far as I'm concerned, you've missed one of the biggest in the shape of the Old Firm football (Celtic vs Rangers for those who didn't know). Sparked by a fierce hatred born out of sectarian conflict, it's a rivalry unlike almost any other and definitely one of the top 5 in the world.
Also, India vs Pakistan is a greater rivalry in cricket than England vs Australia as Australia are too dominant to make it a real sporting event other than those rare years like 2005 when England are able to challenge.
Good stuff nonetheless
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Israel Butson 10 months ago
Australia are dominant in the Ashes right now, but it's such a long-standing competition that there are always going to be periods where one team dominates the other.
The overall score stands at 31-28 in favour of Australia - so it's pretty close!
India and Pakistan are definitely right up there - completely agree with that.
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Chris Colman 10 months ago
England V Germany in any sport!!!!!!
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jim Faulkner 10 months ago
I think you got it spot on mate. As a Queenslander i'd say state of origin for an Aussie is no 1. Bletisloe is right up there though. Its hard to pick. Even though Rugby Union is not very popular in Australia, every one comes to watch the Bletisloe Cup.
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Ben Adlard 10 months ago
As a European I can say that if you live outside of NZ (or Australia) nobody gives a hoot about the first and second top rivalries.
Here's is my alternative list (sorry its more than 5):
10. Greg LeMond vs. Bernard Hinault
9. Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens
8. Yankees vs Red Sox
7. Rangers vs Celtic
6. Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe
5. Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
4. Jack Nicklaus vs Arnold Palmer
3. The Ashes
2. Ayrton Senna vs. Alain Prost
1. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
Obviously, much of this is down to person opinion if i was a Rangers fan the rivalry with Celtic would rank higher.
Great thread though.
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jim Faulkner 9 months ago
I'd say Ben that Israel is talking about teams and countries more than individuals. Popularity is not an issue here either. Australians and Kiwi's have a strong bond generally away from sport, we fight wars together, but on a sporting pitch, its war. I cant think of another 2 countries that rivil each other like these two. Maybe England and Germany in soccer, but with the Kiwi's and Aussies its every sport.
State of Origin is not popular overseas, but if you've ever watched it , you would Know what Israel is talking about.
Surely Countries and states rate higher than individuals in this forum.
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rear door 6 months ago
frankly, australians really don't give a shit when it comes to new zealand. we only care about beating england. anyway, rugby in any code is shit. stick to the good stuff in aussie rules
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