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The Death (and Rebirth) of NBA Rivalries



The New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns have ignited the NBA’s newest rivalry. Zion Williamson’s dunk in the second meeting between the two teams carried on some bad blood from last season’s playoffs, where we saw Chris Paul and Jose Alvarado frequently going at one another.

Zion Williamson has been putting together and MVP campaign, and his dominant performances in their meetings against the Suns have made the Pelicans and Suns matchups must-see television.

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βž₯ 𝙖𝙗𝙀π™ͺ𝙩 π™’π™š
Providing NBA analysis by making film digestible and using analytics thoughtfully to contextualize on-court production. I cover the NBA in various capacities as a writer and digital content creator. If you love basketball and the NBA, be sure to subscribe to my channel.

DISCLAIMER: I do not claim ownership of any footage or clips used in this video. The use of these clips is protected under Fair Use Policy.

#PhoenixSuns #ZionWilliamson #NewOrleansPelicans

41 Comments

  1. We’re about 50 subscribers away from 50K, appreciate any of y’all newcomers who decide to subscribe 🫑

  2. Great video. You used this perfect opportunity to talk about a relevant topic with the most timely example. You were quick about it, too. Well done

  3. There’s definitely some good organic rivalries that have been years in the making. Celtics bucks, clippers mavs, Celtics 76ers, grizzlies warriors

  4. W vid. Suns vs pelicans conference finals game would be SICK. Also I feel like clippers mavs is a little bit of a rivalry. PG and Kawaii vs Luka has always been fun.

  5. ye the us boy started saying shit when he started to talk about football

  6. The greatest ongoing rivalry right now is any comment section on why Lebron is the goat over Jordan.

  7. This was super well done bro, I love these general NBA topic videos and the analysis is the cherry on top. Keep it up!

  8. Dude your videos are so GOOD!! So well written and orchestrated. Keep it up! Ur gonna be on JXMYHighroller someday

  9. As a European football fan, what makes a good rivalry game is when the ref lets the play be intense even with temper flares from botched sides. But when that whistle IS blown, keeping a hard nosed, even stance to deescalate is the hardest part

  10. Raps and Philly have been building a team rivalry since 2019 I'd say .

  11. As a Suns fan I love it cuz when you talk to other Suns fan Young and Old we have a new found genuine hatred for the Pelicans we do not like them at all. I think that’s awesome cuz it’ll lead to regular season games that feel like playoff games and I couldn’t imagine what a playoff series this year would look like.

  12. in hindsight. I'd have dropped monty for willie green. Dude knows how to run creative lineups.

  13. great video alex! this type of content is really good and you shold keep at it

  14. As a pels fan who also adores CP3 this rivalry is weird but it's made the games SO good to watch. Chris vs JosΓ© is a showstopper but youre totally right about it being a "whole team" thing. Cp3 could retire and Pels fans would just redirect all the hate onto Booker and the rest. Wish Crowder was still playing for them. FUCK JAE CROWDER

  15. the 2 rivals i like is memphis v golden state and peli's v suns, although i also see memphis v peli's as rivals aswell

  16. Bruhh! We not worried about the Pelicans, that’s a one sided rivalry and they should be respected, with that said, Phuck the Mavs and Lakers

  17. It’s not new news when the team down takes a last second shot at the end of the game, that happens plenty so it’s not ironic at all. Zion dunking when his team is up is obviously breaking the unwritten rule. I have no problem with it but let’s not act like Chris Paul shooting the layup is something that teams don’t do when they’re down at the end of the game

  18. I agree that Lebron and Curry isn't a very good rivalry, but a very interesting narrative. They respect each other too much. Instead of a rivalry, they view each other more like the best teammate too good to happen.

  19. I dont watch many nba games but I tuned into Pelicans vs Suns on Sunday only because of the rivalry starting on Friday. Rivalries = Views = Money. Just look at the UFC, trash talking rivalries can make or break ppv numbers

  20. Thank you for pointing out Chris Paul accolades with his time with the hornets. He was a pretty good player for them but his time in New Orleans wasn’t iconic like the media points it out to be. His Jersey won’t be retired there but he’ll get an ovation if he stops by after he retires.

  21. Rivalries happen between teams who are of similar calibre, therefore can be competitive. The nature of the NBA and some American sports in general means that the Lakers and Celtics could be going neck and neck one season then the Celtics could be tanking for the next few years and vice versa. It’s not really a rivalry if it’s not competitive. So there will never be proper rivalries in basketball unless both teams can sustain an elite level of play for years

  22. I wish that pels and suns close out this season with close records and then meet at conf. Finals. I'll definitely be the first person at front row if that happens

  23. Rivalries are dead in just about every sport besides college football I’d say. With pro athletes they’re all friends now

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