Milwaukee Bucks: 5 biggest rivals over the next 5 years

Houston Rockets

The Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets made several headlines this season because of a supposed rivalry that was brewing between their stars. Speculation of a rivalry goes back to last season when Giannis Antetokounmpo was named league MVP over James Harden.

Harden shared his displeasure with not taking home his second MVP award as he stated:

"“I think once the media creates a narrative about somebody from the beginning of the year, I think they just take that narrative and run with it the entire year.”"

These comments created the narrative that there was some bad blood between the two, but the dust settled, and there was nothing until this past February. As captain of the All-Star team, Antetokounmpo elected not to choose Harden as a reserve, quipping:

"“I want somebody who’s going to pass the ball, that’s who I want.”"

This seemed like a harmless joke at the time, but Antetokounmpo took it a step further in the post-game interview, stating:

"“Offensively, we went with whoever James Harden was guarding. That’s who we thought we’d have an opportunity to score on.”"

Harden clapped back in an interview with Rachel Nichols when asked about these comments, stating:

"“But I wish I could just run and be 7 feet and just dunk. Like that takes no skill at all.”"

Antetokounmpo downplayed the idea of a rivalry between the two afterwards, but there is undoubtedly going to be an intense atmosphere every time these two face off from now on. With both players currently in the prime of their careers, future matchups are going to be must-see TV.