Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade is going through yet another transition period with the Miami Heat. Wade lost teammate Shaquille O’Neal to the Phoenix Suns back in 2008 and now has lost superstar LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Even though LeBron chose to take his talents back to Cleveland, Wade doesn’t seem to have hard feelings toward his former teammate. Although Wade did let it be known that he’s looking forward to facing LeBron next season.
Wade said that LeBron has replaced Kobe Bryant as the player he looks forward to playing against more than any other in the NBA. The perennial also gave Bryant quite the compliment, according to SB Nation’s Windy City Gridiron:
“Well, it used to be Kobe Bryant… the second best all time…. now, I have a new favorite player to play against… my former teammate, LeBron James.”
Nothing makes for a heated rivalry than former teammates going head-to-head during the NBA regular season and playoffs. Wade and LeBron will likely face-off numerous times over the next few years with the Heat still being a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference and the Cavs having a solid young core surrounding the four-time NBA MVP.
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Kobe is no stranger to healthy and bitter rivalries with the five-time NBA champion battling Shaq as he bounced around the league in the twilight of his career. Unfortunately for Kobe, the superstar was unable to participate in the renewed rivalry with the Houston Rockets as a result of Dwight Howard signing with the team last year.
Another rivalry that might be interesting to watch next season is the Lakers and Chicago Bulls. Pau Gasol being in Chicago and Boozer in Los Angeles makes an interesting dynamic when the two teams meet during the 2014-15 NBA season.
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