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Who would make the greatest Nuggets rival?

By Jordan Reid

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 15: Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reaches in on Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the third quarter February 15, 2017 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 15: Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reaches in on Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the third quarter February 15, 2017 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 28: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 28, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 28: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 28, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2nd Place: The Portland Trailblazers

Of all of the immediate rivalry candidates, this one takes first place. These teams’ players are so intertwined. Mason Plumlee and Will Barton were both traded to Denver from Portland. The third member of Portland’s self-pronounced “big-three”- Jusuf Nurkic was sent to Portland from Denver last season.

It’s fairly apparent that these teams don’t like each other. For good reason too. It was noted that OKC officially eliminated Denver from playoff contention last year, however Portland was the team that stole the eight seed from Denver late last year.

Not only did Portland bury their playoff hopes, but Nurkic (the former Nugget) personally kicked them out of contention. Nurkic posted 33 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks against his old team. If that wasn’t enough, he told Denver to “have a happy summer” after the game.

Portland is viewed by many as Denver’s most likely rival. However, it’s likely that these teams won’t stay competitive as Denver has been improving and Portland has not shown signs of getting better. So, this rivalry may be good now, but won’t likely last long.

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