Who are the Jazz's primary rivals?

[Pappyman]

With the upcoming big games this week, it got me thinking. Who are the Jazz's primary rivals in the NBA? In my opinion, I think that we have two primary rivals: the Rockets and the Nuggets. Here is my reasoning for these two selections:

Rockets: I believe that NBA rivalries are made in the playoffs. The Jazz have faced the Houston Rockets more in the playoffs than any other team in the NBA. They played each other four times in the 1990's and twice so far in the 2000's. Let's face it: the Jazz hate the Rockets and the Rockets hate the Jazz. That is all there is to it.

Nuggets: The Jazz's primary divisional rival and the only other team that plays at elevation and in the Rocky Mountains. Most Utahns think that the Nuggets are a bunch of gang bangers and thugs, often refering to them as the "Thuggets". Again, unilateral hatred exists between the two fanbases and the teams.

[Ming Kong!]

The only threats to Utah are LA, SA, Cleveland and maybe Boston.

[GOBlazers]

Most the Portland Fans consider you rivals from the Stockton Malone era. I suppose that is ancient history now though, with both teams entirely remade.

I think it will be Portland and Utah fighting for the division title for years in the future, not Denver.

[jazzfan1971]

Rockets and Nuggets would be who I would say as well.

[outerspacefella]

The primary Jazz rivals are.... the Jazz. The real thing for rhis team is just to mantain focus, poise and confidence.

[carrottop12]

Rockets, Nuggets and Blazers.

Rockets because of the long past, and even the current history. Nuggets because they are usually the only team in the NW worth a damn, and then the Portland match up is gaining steam.

Love the D-Will/Roy match up.

[dalekjazz]

A lot of people think the Jazz and Nuggets are big rivals. The Jazz have a tradition of winning, being in the playoffs almost every year for the past 25 years, and have been to the NBA finals twice. In the 1980's the Nuggets were a good team with guys like Alex English, Fat Lever, etc., but never went beyond the Western Conference Finals. In the 1990's and the early part of this decade the Nuggets plain sucked until Carmelo Anthony was drafted. Even with Carmelo Anthony the Nuggets have not gone beyond the first round. There is no comparison. Nuggets fans may consider the Jazz as rivals but the Jazz have to aim higher and compare themselves to teams with a winning tradition.

[gonzo]

I'm old school.
I hate the Lakers. The Lakers hate us.
I'm okay with that.

[@ndrew]

Yeah, Lakers is a big rivalry, because everytime they are coming here Kobe wants to kill us. He also want embarrass AK everytime he's playing against him.
Denver is next.

[jazzfan1971]

When I go to a Jazz/Lakers game it seems like I see as many Laker fans as Jazz fans.

[3960HOOD]

We used to have a good rivalry in the 90's with the SuperSonics Payton vs Stockton, Malone vs Kemp!!! oh the good ole days!!

[seejaydeja]

Nuggets then Rockets.

Then Blazers.

[tylero87]

The only thing that makes Denver a rival is because they are in our division. The "RIVALS" the Jazz have are the one's we've made in the Playoffs. We've faced the Rockets more than any other WC team so they're probably our biggest rival. If the Kings were relevant these days I'd put them on the same tier as a Portland (1990's, early 2000's playoff history). Other than that we have the Lakers, whom every team seems to have a rivalry with; and the Spurs, who own us as of late.

For me personally I hate the following teams in this order:

- Lakers
- Rockets
- Spurs
- Nuggets

[MeestR]

for me i get the most satisfaction when the jazz beat the lakers, rockets, and nuggets.

lakers-because they are the basketball equivalent of the yankees/redsox, and cowboys. i shouldn't be forced by the media to like or even follow them.

rockets-primarily from 94 and 95. nothing was sweeter than 97 when stockton killed their dreams finally. recently it was great that tmac cant get out of the first round is his main stumbling block has been my team.

the nuggets- well, they dont deserve to be good. they are the nuggets. who names their team after a meal at mcdonalds? that and they are from denver. just because salt lake is also the rocky mountains doesnt mean we all are denver fans (also why i detest the broncos). it doesnt help that my sister married an outspoken everything-denver fan.

maybe i should add the spurs. though not so much of a rivalry cuz they have dominated the jazz. but it hurts more and more everytime jazz lose. if they could just beat that stupid team....

[seejaydeja]

The only reason I could think of Spurs being a rival is the Parker/Dwill matchup. I'm tired of hearing that that twat is better than DWill

[DelaneyRudd]

Right now it's Rockets because of the reciprocity. The Laker fans don't like us, but they wouldn't consider this rivalry to be bigger than any other top West team. The Portland thing may heat up over the next decade as there is no one else for the Blazer fans to direct their regional hate. It's just hard to point to any case where they are our primary nemesis, and we are theirs.

[JDubJazz]

I would say the Rockets, Spurs and Nuggets. The Lakers and Hornets and Bulls and Kings would be second tier rivals for the Jazz.

I'm surprised that not many people are talking about the Spurs here. Maybe I'm showing my age, but in the 90s, the Jazz and Spurs were constantly battling for the division. All it takes is a couple of wins by the Jazz and that rivalry is going to be right back to the top spot.

[DelaneyRudd]

it,s no fun being on the ass end of a rivalry.