Top 5 Individual Sports Rivalries Of All Time
The Broadway play Magic/Bird opened up this week to critical reviews. The play follows the lives of Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird on their quest for NBA superiority. It shows the ups and downs each individual had to go through to reach the top.
In honor of the play, the following are the top five individual sports rivalries of all time.
#5 Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe
The competition between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe was short-lived as it only spanned a few years from 1978-81. However, it is still considered one of the greatest tennis, as well as sports, rivalries of all time.
The greatest showdown between the two players was at Wimbledon in 1980. Borg defeated McEnroe, who reached the finals for the first time, in an epic contest, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16-18), 8-6. McEnroe defeated tennis legend Jimmy Connors but constantly argued with officials during their semi-final match. This resulted in the crowd booing him as he entered the finals against Borg. It was Borg’s fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, a record at the time which he now shares with Roger Federer.
McEnroe did get his revenge in 1981 as the two met once again in the Wimbledon finals. McEnroe’s victory ended Borg’s 41 consecutive match victories at Wimbledon. Borg still holds the record for best match winning percentage at Wimbledon (92.72%, 51-4). McEnroe also defeated Borg in the 1980 and 1981 U.S. Open finals.
#4 Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus
The rivalry between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus is a tricky one because it was not all about golf. The best on-course rival of Nicklaus was not Palmer but in fact was actually Lee Trevino. However, Palmer and Nicklaus is what made the headlines because the “King” of golf was threatened by the rise of the “Golden Bear.”
The competition between Palmer and Nicklaus fueled the image and popularity of the sport which made golf into what it is today. Palmer won seven majors, not even half of Nicklaus’ 18, but still had a huge following of fans that adored him.
Palmer and Nicklaus’ rivalry kicked off during the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. It was Nicklaus’ first year on the professional tour and he would start it off with a bang. Nicklaus birdied the 11th hole while Palmer recorded a bogey on 13 to give them both one-under for the tournament. Both players missed relatively easy putts with a chance to win the U.S. Open on 18. With the score tied, the stage was set for an 18-hole playoff that would be the best this rivalry had to offer. Nicklaus ended up winning his first major with a score of 71 to Palmer’s 74.
There would be other great tournament appearances between these two, including the 1969 U.S. Open at Baltusrol, but the 1962 U.S. Open was by far the best moment of this rivalry.
#3 Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain
The Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain rivalry is one of the greatest in the history of basketball. They both played center, they both could score at will and they played a very aggressive style of defense.
Chamberlain almost always outscored Russell when the two went head-to-head but Russell’s Boston Celtics more often than not came out victorious. In fact, Russell won nine NBA Championships before Wilt even won one. Wilt eventually got his first ring in 1967, his last full season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Wilt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1968, which is when the rivalry took on a life of its own. Wilt could score on anybody anytime he wanted to except for when it came to playing against Russell. The two had epic matchups on offense and defense.
The rivalry got intense when the Lakers and Celtics faced off against each other in the 1969 NBA Finals. The series went to seven games with Wilt grabbing 31 rebounds over Russell in a crucial Game 5. The Celtics would go on to win the series for their 11th NBA title after Wilt was unable to finish Game 7 due to a knee injury.
#2 Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird
The Magic Johnson, Larry Bird rivalry is best known as possibly the greatest competition between two players in the history of professional basketball.
However, the rivalry actually got its start in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, making it one of the greatest encounters between two athletes of all time. Johnson’s Michigan State team eliminated Bird and Indiana State in the 1979 NCAA Finals.
The rivalry never stopped its momentum as both players entered the NBA. Of course it would be no coincidence each player would play for two teams that already had their own east coast-west coast rivalry. The Lakers and Celtics would go head-to-head in three out of four NBA Finals from 1984-1987 with Los Angeles winning two of them. Magic and Bird each won three NBA MVP awards from 1984-1990, making them the saviors of the league and the greatest superstars to grace the sport.
Johnson would go on to win five NBA championships while Bird acquired three. The heated rivalry turned into a life-long friendship that is strong to this day.
#1 Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
Hands down, no question the greatest rivalry of all time is Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier. Ali and Frazier were two completely different people outside of the ring and fought with different styles inside the ring. The two legends would hash it out in three title fights in four years, giving the world some of the greatest boxing matches in the history of the sport.
The “Fight of the Century” took place on March 8, 1971 in Madison Square Garden. Not only was it two different boxers but it was two people with contradicting views surrounding them. Ali refused to fight in Vietnam which meant he resembled anti-war. On the other hand, Frazier represented the people who believed in fighting for their country. Frazier would go on to defeat Ali in 15 rounds of brutal punishment, stunning the nation. Ali and Frazier met in the rematch at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 1974. Ali knocked out Frazier in the 12th round which would catapult this rivalry to the next level.
The final fight between these two legendary boxers was titled the “The Thrilla in Manila” and took place in Manila, Philippines on October 1, 1975. It was the fight to break the 1-1 tiebreaker which meant everything would be left on the line. Ali and Frazier each took their fair share of rounds as well as punishment. The heat and humidity took a toll on both boxers as they began to get sluggish. The match concluded when Frazier’s trainer, Eddie Futch, called the fight as he saw Smoking Joe was too exhausted to continue. Both men were rushed to the hospital after the fight. It was later announced they both had almost died from a heat stroke.
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