The NBA announced the schedule for Rivals Week this coming season, and the Milwaukee Bucks are playing the... OKC Thunder? Why? When has there been a rivalry between these two teams? It's such an odd decision, especially when there is another team out there that would have much, much more sense in terms of actual rivalries.
Bucks shouldn't be playing the Thunder for Rivals Week
How are the Milwaukee Bucks not playing the Indiana Pacers that week? Over the last two seasons, they've forged a tense new rivalry in the Eastern Conference. From the game ball controversy after Giannis Antetokounmpo's career night to Tyrese Haliburton's father getting into it with Giannis, the two teams have had plenty of fiery moments over the last two seasons.
Every single time these two teams play, it feels like there are bound to be some fireworks in the form of some new storyline that could top the last. There's no doubt that the fire ignited between these two teams whenever they see one another will not be extinguished anytime soon.
Of course, there is also the angle with Myles Turner, who stunned the NBA by leaving Indiana this summer to sign with Milwaukee. The Pacers certainly aren't pleased about that, only adding to the tense nature of this rivalry. Setting up the first matchup of the year between these two teams during Rivals Week would have been flat-out perfect.
Instead, the Milwaukee Bucks will play the OKC Thunder. In addition to the Bucks, the Thunder will also play Indiana during Rivals Week. That matchup at least makes some sense due to OKC beating Indiana in the most recent NBA Finals, but still, it's not a rivalry. It's certainly not as fiery as a matchup with the Bucks would have been in terms of sheer storylines.
The only "rivalry" argument one could make about Milwaukee and OKC is that the Bucks demolished the Thunder in the NBA's most recent NBA Cup Championship. Still, that isn't a rivalry. Outside of just being able to say they won it and take home a few extra bucks, that game didn't count for anything for Milwaukee. This is a swing and a miss by the NBA.
Playing the reigning NBA Champions is nothing to scoff at, but in the spirit of Rivals Week, it could have been better for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.