New Orleans Pelicans: 4 Potential Rivalries That Can Start in 2021

These four teams can become the most intense rivals for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021 season

By now we all know that the New Orleans Pelicans are one of the NBA’s biggest up-and-comers, just beginning to climb to the top of the mountain. If we’re going by NBA history, they won’t get there without making a few enemies first.

That’s right, I’m talking about rivalries. Every team that is on the path to contention finds themselves starring down one particular enemy eye-to-eye, in a competitive battle. That opposing team becomes the rival, the team you’re looking to one-up while they look to take what’s yours.

When looking back at some of the most exciting teams in NBA history, they all had that one enemy that gave their run the drama fans crave. I’m talking about the Lakers-Celtics, Jordan’s Bulls and the Bad Boy Pistons, and most recently the Golden State Warriors versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I’m anticipating that 2021 will start the New Orleans Pelicans coming-out party, as they look to rattle some cages throughout the league. Of course, once they start rattling cages, some opponents will punch back.

Rivalries are about two teams matching each other blow for blow and standing up each time someone knocks you down. As I begin looking at the New Orleans Pelicans 2021 season, I see some teams that are equipped to do just that against them. With the personalities and talents on these teams, here are four teams that I believe can spark a rivalry with the Pelicans in 2021.