One of the best things about the NBA is the rivalries and everything that comes with them.
Fans mark rivalry games on their calendars because the stakes are always higher when playing against a rival.
While rivalries in the NBA aren’t as intense as they once were, the Dallas Mavericks have a few rivalries that often go overlooked. While the Mavericks’ biggest rival is probably the San Antonio Spurs, they’ve also developed rivalries with the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns in recent years.
The Suns are undoubtedly one of the Mavs’ biggest rivals, and their rivalry was mainly fueled in the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Dallas fought back from a 2-0 deficit to win in seven games in that series, and Devin Booker became a villain for Mavs fans.
Booker mocked Luka Doncic after he was on the floor after a foul, calling it the “Luka Special.” Since that heated playoff series, there have been several tussles between the Mavs and Suns in the years since. These altercations often center around Booker, and now that Klay Thompson is a Maverick, that rivalry will only intensify.
Booker has already said he’s looking forward to playing against Thompson now that he’s with the Mavs, and there’s already a bit of a personal rivalry between the two that dates back to the start of the 2022-23 season.
On October 25, 2022, Thompson was ejected from a game for the first time in his career after arguing with Booker nonstop throughout the second half. This arguing involved Thompson repeatedly letting Booker know that he has four rings, and although Thompson later seemed to regret this decision, it was still one of the most heated moments of his career.
Thompson has only been sent off twice in his career and it is not often that he gets as heated as he did in this game.
Thompson and Booker both have a lot of respect for each other and sometimes get a little out of control. Their argument from a few years ago will only further fuel the rivalry between Dallas and the Suns if some of those offensive comments end up spilling over to Dallas.
The Mavs’ team chemistry was at an all-time high last season, and these matchups between the Mavericks and Suns bring out the best in everyone. Even Kyrie Irving was spotted badmouthing the Suns during Dallas’s clash with them at the end of the 2022-23 season, and every player on both teams knows how much these games mean.
Although most of Dallas and Phoenix’s rosters are almost completely different from the teams that faced each other in 2022, there is still tension when these two teams play against each other. Two of the three games Dallas played against the Suns last year resulted in altercations between players and even an ejection.
Booker was involved in one of these scuffles and even reprimanded former Maverick Grant Williams for his “nonsensical tactics” during their January 24 encounter.
Those moments only added fuel to the fire, but there is no individual rivalry like the one between Booker and Doncic. In their last meeting of the 2022-23 season, Doncic and Booker faced off and had to be separated by their teammates after the two exchanged insults at each other.
Most of the Booker-Doncic discussions revolve around competition on both sides, but this rivalry between the two teams will only get stronger with Thompson. He is not afraid of anyone and can be quite gossipy at times.
Doncic is also fearless and seems to bring his best whenever he plays against Booker and the Suns. Nothing gets Doncic going like some good, old-fashioned trash talk, and Booker is widely known as one of the biggest trash talkers in the league.
Booker and Doncic always seem to be in the same boat, and Thompson’s presence will add to the competitive atmosphere between Dallas and Phoenix, but also with Booker personally.
Thompson is excited to start over in Dallas, and if all goes according to plan next year, Thompson might be able to give Booker five middle fingers instead of four.
