Looking back at some of the best rivalries in NBA history, many of them took center stage during the 1990s. Granted, Michael Jordan and the Bulls dominated on the court for most of the decade. But that didn’t stop the league from being filled with intense rivalries. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and remember the rivalries that helped make the NBA great during the 90s.
Spurs vs Suns
This might be the most overlooked NBA rivalry during the 90s, largely because it really took off after the turn of the century. However, the Spurs and Suns met four times in the playoffs between 1992 and 1998. Charles Barkley’s arrival in Phoenix in 1992 is what changed things, as it gave the Suns a formidable post player to compete with David Robinson.
However, after the Suns won playoff series in 1992 and 1993, San Antonio got them in 1996, prompting Barkley to leave and allowing the Spurs to beat the Suns again in 1998.
Jazz vs Bulls
This rivalry really just boils down to two series, the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. But both of those series were outstanding and among the best in recent memory. The Jazz were probably the biggest threat the Bulls had during any of their six championship seasons.
Chicago won both series in six games, crushing Utah’s title hopes. Along the way, there were some incredible games, plenty of smack talk, and apparent food poisoning from a pizza that Jordan ate.
Knicks vs Pacers
It’s amazing how much of this rivalry was built by in-game arguments between Reggie Miller and Knicks superfan Spike Lee. But those childish spats aside, these were the two heavyweights in the Eastern Conference outside of the Bulls during the 90s. The Knicks and Pacers met in the playoffs six times between 1993 and 2000.
They split those series three each, although the Knicks won two of the three meetings with Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals. That led to a lot of heated battles, although neither team won a championship during that time.
Knicks vs Heat
Keep in mind the Heat didn’t play their first game as a franchise until 1988. But by the mid-90’s, Miami was starting to get good, making every Knicks-Heat game a must-watch affair, as the Knicks had already established themselves as a powerhouse in the East.
Starting in 1997, these teams met in the playoffs in four straight seasons. In almost every game, even regular-season games during that period, things got physical and heated. Things reached a fever pitch when there was a fight during the 1998 playoffs, a moment that perfectly encapsulates how much the Heat and Knicks hated each other in those days.
Bulls vs Knicks
On-court fights aside, this was the NBA’s best rivalry during the 90s. Both teams were loaded with stars and were by far the best Eastern Conference teams of the decade. In four of Chicago’s six championship seasons, they beat the Knicks in the playoffs.
New York probably deserved to win a championship at some point, but Jordan and the Bulls were always standing in their way. Needless to say, that led to some hostility and bad feelings between the teams. Of course, fans loved the star power on the court and the countless playoff games that were entertaining from start to finish.