Rivalries in sports are created
over time with many contributing to the overall popularity of the sport
itself. From the die-hard fans to the
casual viewer, when the two teams playing have an intense rivalry the heightened
level of play and aggression is clearly evident. While many teams have rivalries, the players
also develop rivalries with opposing players.
Whether it is between teams or individual players, sports rivalries spur
from similarities.
A perfect example of this is the
Michigan Ohio State rivalry. Both
schools are large student body schools in the Big 10 with prestigious football
programs. The similarities between the
two programs are the heart and soul of the rivalry. Both of these schools argue which is the best
football program in the Big Ten and have been doing so for many years.
The rivalries between basketball
players serve as a good example in regards to individual rivalries. Majority of the basketball players in the NBA
create rivalries with people of similar size.
This means that players of similar positions are much more likely to
develop an intense rivalry. For example,
the rivalry between Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade is a perfect representation of
similarities leading to a rivalry. Both
players play the shooting guard position and are around the same height. The similarities lead to a competition to
prove who is the better player at their position. The direct comparisons people make between
players are what fuel the fire of the rivalry itself.
Do you believe rivalries are
caused by similarities between two individuals?
Do you think the similarities are physical or based solely on
success? If you disagree, what do you
think are the causes of rivalries?
You ask whether or not rivalries form because of similarities between two individuals. I'm not sure this is that crucial of a requirement, outside of the fact that both parties must be talented. No rivalry ever stemmed from two horrible teams. This leads me to your second question in that I believe these similarities are based solely on success. Many of the great rivalries in history between teams and individuals have not been because of physical prowess, but because of the expectation of greatness. It is this expectation, then, that I believe ultimately causes rivalries. The classic Bo vs. Woody Michigan Ohio State football games solidified the rivalry as one of if not the biggest in college football. Great coaches and great players have ultimately led to great expectations.
ReplyDeleteI have to kind of agree with the comment from Dustin. You can't pinpoint what the only cause is to rivalries, and it's true that there are hardly any rivalries that come from poor teams. However I do believe that success of the two teams just adds fuel to fire of the rivalry but it not necessarily the cause. The cause is the belief that those teams or players are suppose to be the best. A few years ago I played in a league where there were two top teams was mine and one other, and there were was so much talk about who would the championship to go to nationals. It eventually became a rivalry and we hated that other team, and when either of us won you could sense that tension grow even more. They had more sucess that year then we did so it got worse.
ReplyDeleteHey Andrew.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a very interesting topic. Some of the best current rivalries develop as a result of who is comparable, and who is hot. For example, a couple years ago the LeBron vs. Kobe rivalry was huge, but now the rivalry has switched to LeBron vs. Durant as Kobe has aged. At the time Kobe and LeBron were the two biggest stars in the NBA, but with time that changes and so do the rivalries. Another example is the Knicks vs. Pacers NBA rivalry of the 1990s. At the time, the Knicks and Pacers were comparable teams, yet opposites in so many ways. They were also two very successful teams that captured the attention of the NBA and the country.
Nevertheless, I believe that the best rivalries must stand the test of time. The best rivalries are steeped in tradition and that is why they are great. The Yankees and Red Sox have played each other for more than a century, and both have been successful. The same is true of Alabama vs. Auburn, Michigan vs. Ohio State, and North Carolina vs. Duke. History and tradition make rivalries what they are and those are the best rivalries in sports.