NSL’s Top Three Rivalries

Nothing makes a greater spectacle in sports then when two classic rivals face off. Smack talk, true distain, a willingness to be superior and a hatred of losing, all come into play as the great powers collide, creating a sight that is impossible for the neutral fan to look away from. It’s like watching the two schoolyard bullies squaring off or being an impartial viewer to a king of the court basketball tournament between siblings. There’s bound to be fireworks. Every blow is jarring, every call is disputable, and the end result can only leave a feeling of total elation for one participant while the other gets a taste of humiliation.

The Rivalries in the NSL have all have a slightly different appearance. You can feel the pain in the discord comments when the teams square off and there’s always a butthurt tone to the pre-emptive “GG” that comes through the Live-Games thread when there’s still plenty of time on the clock. Some of them have genuine hatred, some are a light-hearted show and others are a little bit of both. Let’s take a look at the best rivalries in the NSL.

1.      Portland Vs Spurs

Coming in at no.1 with a bullet is the biggest rivalry in NSL, the Blazers vs the Spurs, GM Jmac vs GM Nels. This rivalry boasts the longest standing and richest history akin to the Celtics and Lakers in the NBA affiliate. Both teams have been the benchmark of success in the league since inauguration with either team appearing in all but one NSL Finals Series. Both teams have had significant wins and losses against the another, many of which have led to ultimate NSL postseason glory.

Funnily enough, both GMs have a long spanning friendship since adolescence, which adds another layer to the feud. Nels and Jmac attended high school together (20 years ago – their reunion is in a week), both played football on the same team and GM Jmac can take credit for introducing Nels to basketball, which would lead to a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball rivalry in the pre-NSL days.

The love-hate relationship would eventually spill-over to the NSL as Jmac was amongst the inaugural members to invite Nels to ownership, leading to the Spurs appointment at the very creation of the league.

Jmac was a freight train in the opening season, destroying the Spurs and all in their path on their way to the historic first NSL title. At that stage, Nels was new to the intricacies of the game and began to realise some big moves would need to be made to keep up with the best in the business, the Blazers. Season two came around the Spurs had been in the weight room after being swept in the second round to their bitter rival the previous year. The Spurs were supercharged for contention, eventually eliminating the injury depleted Portland superpower (who went 78-4 through regular season) on the way to the NSL title.

The hatred would continue to grow as the two franchises alternated the first 4 titles going 2-2 with Championships. Perhaps the biggest dagger, however, was lodged between the shoulder blades of GM Jmac as Nels sold a rebuild vision to move stars for a first-round pick that would later be spun into a package to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. From there, it’s been a constant back and forth, arguments, allegations and general distain pointed directly towards the face of the other. It is, was and always will be war when the Blazers face off against the Spurs. Many hope the subject of NSL is not brought up at the reunion or there could be fireworks at the old RSL. Pray for the veterans.

 

2.      Cleveland (GM Shams) Vs Pacers (GM Yeet)

Coming in at the 2^nd spot is a relatively new but fiery rivalry between somewhat newcomer (2-3 years) GM Yeet and fellow American but seasoned veteran GM Shams. The league is well-aware when these two are scheduled to clash as the smack-talk dominates the Live-Games thread days in advance. Physical altercations have nearly broken out when the likes of Scottie Barnes and Victor Wembanyama have been brought up in any forum. The new-guy, Yeet, had laser vision targeting Shams when entering the league and as his roster has matured over the years, Cleveland was officially put on notice.

After many entertaining regular season matchups between the two talented Eastern Conference foes, a post-season series finally arrived in last year’s playoffs. The undermanned Pacers were quick to point out the hand they had been dealt (Wemby out) before any real hate speech was typed and Yeet simply wasn’t able to back it up when it mattered most against his bitter rival. GM Shams would take the first playoff series between the two 4-1 on his way to advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. Though humble in victory, there’s no doubt he was flexing hard behind the keyboard.

Both teams look exceptional this upcoming season, and both have already made comments towards the other about the butt-kicking they will dish out when they face next. It will be must-watch NSL TV for many years to come and the league love a good fireworks display.

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3.      Kings (GM Klemm) Vs Heat (GM PistolPK)

In boxing, they say styles make fights and these two GMs couldn’t be less alike in their approach to NSL. GM Klemm of the Kings employs an aggressive, crude, loud-mouthed approach with a win at all costs mentality, while GM Pistol of the Heat is a patient, slow building, risk averse, factual but blunt communicator. The match-up is akin to Roy Jones Jr vs James Toney, one flashy and thrilling, the other calculated and solid as a rock.

While we haven’t seen the two meet in the post-season yet, the two teams have had some exciting regular season games with Klemm throwing out the pre- and post-game antics. It feels like Klemm often wins these matchups against all odds but it’s probably because when Pistol wins, he keeps a lid on it, while Klemm blows the ceiling off the joint. There’s scope for many years of rivalry between the two so long as Klemm can keep up with the Miami Heat as they come-of-age.

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Honourable Mentions

Toronto Vs Washington

What started out as a fierce rivalry back in the Jesse Dunne days became a more friendly type of rivalry between close friends GM Dylan and GM Joshua. While I’m not sure they’ve met in the post-season, both GMs have lived there in throughout their NSL careers. Their success and outstanding reputations always makes their match-ups Game of the Week contenders and must-watch NSL TV.

Spurs Vs Washington

A rivalry that has spanned 3-years with two meetings in the Finals (one win each), GM Nels and GM Joshua have had multiple matchups on the biggest stage. While the fire was probably at its hottest a few years back, the redemption Championship in last year’s postseason was huge for the Wizards and GM Joshua’s legacy. The series was played in good spirits, though the competition on court was brutal. With their windows seemingly getting shorter, will we see these two franchises meet at the peak of their powers again?  

Portland Vs Houston

There’s some weird, Donald Trump- Art of the Deal undertone between these two GMs and it feels like Vitty genuinely studies GM Jmac and Donald Trump outside of the NSL. On the court, it always feels like Vitty wants to beat Portland and Jmac definitely returns the sentiment. Without knowing for sure, it would seem these two GMs have had priors in another lifetime, possibly NLL. The fact they always have an eye on one-another adds an interesting layer to the league.

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