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10. Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings / NHL
While Detroit was one of the Original Six hockey teams, the city
of Colorado was blessed with an Avalanche team that was borne
among the many topnotch draft picks that the lowly Quebec
Nordiques made before they moved to the Mile High City. This
rivalry isn't about selling tickets -- each team has impressive
consecutive sellout streaks -- it is about winning in the playoffs
and increasing ratings.
The teams have battled in the playoffs for several years, and the
war started when Avalanche forward Claude Lemieux rearranged Red
Wings player Kris Draper's face from behind. What ensued in 1996
(the first year the Avalanche were in Denver, beat the Red Wings,
and won their first Stanley Cup) was a mammoth brawl of epic
proportions in which no one was spared.
9. Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers / NFL
Admittedly, this rivalry has waned in recent years, as the Pack
was dominating while the Bears were hibernating. Nonetheless, this
earns points in terms of Classic rivalries. In fact, you still
sense the magic when the Bears meet the Packers. What really
counts is the fans' energy and enthusiasm, which are virtually
second to none in Soldier Field and Lambeau Field. Expect this
rivalry to reach a boiling point as the two teams get a bit closer
on the talent level (yes, that is a compliment to one and a
critique to another).
8. New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat / NBA
Although the Miami Heat is amongst the newer NBA teams, these two
Eastern Conference teams have had some memorable moments in the
recent past. Some may even argue that this rivalry began when
former Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Pat Riley moved from being
the New York Knicks' coach to Miami, to lead the Heat. The most
recent notorious moment occurred when Knicks Coach Jeff Van Gundy
grabbed Heat Center Alonzo Mourning by the feet to halt a little
brawl a few years back. We look forward to the playoffs...
7. Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs / NHL
Growing up in Canada, most would rank this as the sports rivalry
by which others are measured. While this rivalry dates back to the
beginning of the 20th century, the teams have had their ups and
downs throughout the years. Despite being the most successful
professional hockey team of all time, with 24 Stanley Cup
Championships, the Canadiens have struggled as of late, while the
Leafs have picked up the baton by appointing former Canadiens
goalie legend Ken Dryden as President of the Toronto franchise,
that has 11 Championships to date.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys / NFL
Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach. Two of the top quarterbacks of
the 1970s. Although not all of us might remember these days
clearly, you can still feel the impact of this rivalry every time
you watch football films (or for that matter, every time Bradshaw
opens up his mouth on Fox). The teams were loaded with talent and
packed the energy level to the max, providing endless highlight
reel moments to the newer generations of football fans.
5. New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox / MLB
Baseball is the most old-fashioned game in the books. While many
great rivalries have emerged throughout the years, none compare to
that of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The decades
of history between these two teams are amazing and unmatched, as
they fought for the division title.
In a non-traditional move to spice up the game, the MLB came up
with the wild card spot and added more spice to the mix. Legend
dates this rivalry back to the day when the Red Sox sold their
pitcher Herman "Babe" Ruth to the Yankees (which can be considered
one of the greatest mistake of the 20th century). Young Babe went
on to become the greatest home run hitter of his time, hence the
Red Sox have felt "the Curse of the Bambino" ever since. Could not
have been that much of a curse if they ended up landing baseball's
top pitcher, Pedro Martinez.
4. Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys / NFL
The NFL's Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys rivalry is
perhaps the most intense one in the league. These two NFC teams do
not like one another. Just ask Washington spokesman Carl Swanson:
"Hating the Cowboys is so much a part of the fabric of being a
Redskins fan;" enough said. Success in these cities is measured by
whether or not you beat, no, kill the opponent twice a year.
3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics / NBA
In the 1980s, the NBA's most enduring rivalry was between the
Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, which pitted the team with
most championships (Celtics) against the second in wing (Lakers).
The seed was planted when College rivals Larry Bird and Earvin
"Magic" Johnson were drafted by the Celtics and Lakers
respectively.
The two legends have battled so often in the regular season and in
the NBA finals that it elevated the league and provided it with
stable revenue for the first time in its history, until a kid
named MJ took over, of course. What made this so memorable was
that both teams were loaded with talent, and free agency and
trades had yet to deplete their teams.
2. U. of Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles / NCAA
Football
In NCAA Football, rivalries increase alumni support, generate
television broadcast revenue and increase student enrollment; you
may have Auburn-Alabama, Army-Navy and many others, but few, if
any, match the intensity and impact of a Florida Gators versus FSU
Seminoles game. Why? Maybe it's the heat. Or maybe it's the fact
that this game has so often dictated the College Football National
Championship. The coaches know that their season-ending battle
will likely defeat one team's title hopes for the year. What this
has spawned is an animosity and hatred that is now seen in several
sports.
1. U. of North Carolina Tar Heels vs. U. of Duke Blue Devils /
NCAA Basketball
The Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels hate each other
for the main two reasons that rivalries exist: rich hoops heritage
and the eight miles that separate Chapel Hill and Durham. What has
made this rivalry even higher-octane is (no, not Dick Vitale) that
despite the fact that the players come and go, the uniforms stay
constant and the fans just get crazier. In fact, this is the kind
of rivalry that proves that the NCAA is even more raw and
enjoyable than the pros on any given day. |
