Shaq DESTROYS LeBron James After Attacking Him Backstage

The NBA has always been more than just basketball. It’s a theater of personalities, egos, and clashes that sometimes overshadow the game itself. For every highlight reel dunk or buzzer-beater, there’s a simmering feud, a war of words, or even a physical confrontation that becomes part of league lore.

From locker room threats involving firearms to chokeholds on live television, the NBA’s history is littered with rivalries that remind us these athletes are human — competitive, prideful, and sometimes combustible. This feature dives deep into some of the most notorious beefs in NBA history, exploring how they started, what fueled them, and how they shaped careers and franchises.

Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O’Neal: Dynasty Built on Discord

When you think of dominant duos, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are at the top of the list. Together, they delivered three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002, cementing themselves as one of the greatest tandems ever. Yet behind the banners and parades was a partnership held together by the thinnest of threads.

Work Ethic Clash: Kobe was obsessed with preparation, arriving at practice before dawn. Shaq, meanwhile, often skipped offseason training and reported to camp out of shape. For Kobe, this was unforgivable.
Public Spats: Their tension spilled into the media. After the Lakers lost to the Pistons in the 2004 Finals, Shaq blamed Kobe’s inefficiency. Kobe fired back, calling Shaq soft and out of shape.
Threats and Fallout: Reports surfaced that Shaq sent threatening texts to Kobe, escalating the feud to near-violence. By 2004, the relationship was irreparable. Shaq was traded to Miami, where he won another title without Kobe.

The feud lingered for years. In 2008, Shaq released a diss track mocking Kobe. They wouldn’t publicly reconcile until 2018, admitting their rivalry was like siblings who couldn’t coexist. Many believe their inability to bury the hatchet cost the Lakers a dynasty of five or more championships.

Draymond Green vs. Rudy Gobert: Defensive Pride Turned Personal

Few rivalries are as raw as Draymond Green versus Rudy Gobert. Both built their reputations on defense, but apparently there’s only room for one alpha.

Origins: In 2019, Gobert cried after being snubbed from the All-Star game. Draymond mocked him on national TV, saying he’d never cry over missing out. Gobert fired back on social media: “Insecurity is always loud.”
Escalation: Draymond repeatedly belittled Gobert’s accomplishments, calling him “soft” and “mid.” Gobert responded by staying focused but clearly took offense.
The Chokehold: In November 2023, during a Warriors-Timberwolves game, Draymond put Gobert in a headlock on live television. The incident earned Draymond an indefinite suspension and cemented the feud as one of the ugliest in recent memory.

Even now, the pettiness continues. Draymond questions Gobert’s defensive schemes, while Gobert insists the noise motivates him. This rivalry isn’t over — it’s just waiting for its next flashpoint.

Devin Booker vs. Luka Dončić: Young Stars, Old-School Hatred

In today’s NBA, young stars often vacation together and share workouts. Not Devin Booker and Luka Dončić. Their rivalry is pure animosity.

2022 Playoffs: The Mavericks stunned the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. Luka dominated, averaging 33.7 points per game. Booker mocked Luka’s flopping, calling it the “Luka Special.”
Social Media War: Booker unfollowed Luka, called his celebrations clownish. Luka retaliated by questioning Booker’s leadership after the Suns collapsed.
Face-to-Face Clash: In March 2023, after Luka missed a game-tying shot, Booker taunted him: “You missed it.” The two nearly brawled before teammates intervened.

Their head-to-head stats show Luka averaging more points, and Booker knows it. This rivalry represents the future of the NBA — two generational talents who genuinely don’t like each other.

Gilbert Arenas vs. Javaris Crittenton: Guns in the Locker Room

Perhaps the most infamous feud in NBA history.

The Card Game: In 2009, a $100 gambling debt between teammates spiraled out of control. Crittenton threatened to shoot Arenas in the knee. Arenas responded with his own terrifying threat: “I’ll burn your car with you in it.”
The Locker Room Incident: Days later, Arenas brought four unloaded guns to the locker room as a “joke.” Crittenton showed up with a loaded pistol, pointing it directly at Arenas. Teammates hid in fear.
Consequences: Arenas was suspended and pleaded guilty to felony gun charges. His career never recovered. Crittenton’s life took an even darker turn — convicted of murder in 2011, he served 14 years in prison before release in 2023.

This feud remains a cautionary tale of immaturity, ego, and how quickly things can spiral out of control.

Rajon Rondo vs. Ray Allen: Brotherhood Broken

The 2008 Celtics championship core was supposed to be a brotherhood. But beneath the surface, Rondo and Allen despised each other.

Ego Clash: As Rondo rose to prominence, Allen pushed for a trade that would have brought Chris Paul to Boston, effectively replacing Rondo.
Boxing Match: According to Kendrick Perkins, the two literally boxed in the weight room to settle their differences. Rondo reportedly came out swinging like a professional fighter.
Allen’s Departure: In 2012, Allen left Boston for Miami — the Celtics’ biggest rival. Rondo refused to shake his hand. The feud continued for years, with Allen calling Rondo a diva and Rondo labeling Allen selfish.

Their animosity tore apart what could have been a longer-lasting dynasty.

Kyle Lowry vs. Aaron Gordon: Bubble Beef

Some rivalries are born in strange circumstances. Enter the NBA bubble in 2020.

The Foul: Lowry delivered a hard foul on Gordon, who called him out angrily. Lowry responded with one of the most iconic lines: “836 is my room number. Come see me.”
Aftermath: The feud reignited in 2021 when Gordon shoulder-checked Lowry. Lowry told teammates he was going to “mess him up.”

Though they never fought in the bubble, the tension persists. For Gordon, Lowry’s physical play is dirty. For Lowry, it’s just basketball.

Donovan Mitchell vs. Rudy Gobert: Pandemic Fallout

Before Gobert’s feud with Draymond, he clashed with his own teammate.

Basketball Issues: Mitchell, a dynamic scorer, often ignored Gobert’s demands for touches. Gobert criticized Mitchell’s decisions in film sessions.
COVID-19 Incident: In March 2020, Gobert tested positive after jokingly touching microphones and teammates’ belongings. Mitchell also tested positive and was furious at Gobert’s recklessness.
The End: By 2022, the Jazz traded both stars, effectively dismantling their contender status.

Mitchell insists they’re fine off the court, but the damage was done.

Chris Paul vs. Rajon Rondo: Point Guard Warfare

Two fiery point guards, one legendary feud.

Origins: In 2009, Rondo taunted Paul: “I have a ring, you’ll never win one.”
2018 Brawl: During a Rockets-Lakers game, Rondo allegedly spit at Paul. Paul swung back, punches flew, and multiple players were ejected.
Aftermath: Rondo called Paul a horrible teammate. Paul labeled Rondo dirty.

Their rivalry is deeply personal, fueled by competitiveness and pride.

DeMar DeRozan vs. Dylan Brooks: Villain Meets Veteran

Dylan Brooks has built his brand on antagonizing opponents. But when he targeted DeMar DeRozan, he met his match.

2023 Playoffs: Brooks taunted DeRozan relentlessly. DeRozan called him out for cowardly behavior.
2024 Confrontation: A Bulls-Rockets game turned into a face-to-face clash. DeRozan later said bluntly: “I just don’t like him.”
2025 Chapter: Now with the Kings, DeRozan continued jawing with Brooks, unleashing a profanity-laced tirade caught on microphones.

For Brooks, it’s all part of the game. For DeRozan, it’s personal.