The NBA's "Rivalry Week" Schedule Is So Bad That It Has To Be Rage Bait

So the NBA made a bunch of scheduling announcements yesterday such as Opening Week, Black Friday, Amazon Prime games, etc. And I have no problem with the Association trying to drum up some interest in their product (although Football is near and Baseball is coming down the home stretch), I did find one announcment rather funny and that was the graphic promoting the ultra competitive, always hateful RIVALRY WEEK.

The Lakers are playing 3 rivalry games and none of them are the Celtics? In fact, the Celtics aren't even on here. But the Pistons vs. Rockets certainly are! And of course, the most hateful matchup in Ohio sports: Cavs. vs. Hornets. 

Look, if there's 3 things my Dad taught me growing up it was always:

- Hate Michigan

- Hate the Steelers

- Hate those god damn, mother fucking, scumbag piece of shit Charlotte Hornets

I honestly didn't even know there was an ounce of bad blood between Charlotte and Cleveland, let alone a Rivalry. I mean, I would say I was taught the Bulls were a Rival, but half the league probably grew up thinking that way because Michael beat all their teams. Other than that, obviously Cavs vs. Pistons was a thing for a while + JB Bickerstaff is now in Detroit. Cavs vs. Warriors was the biggest thing the league had going for a while. And I guess we had the LeBron vs. Deshaun Stevenson fiasco almost two decades ago? But the Hornets? It's all love for the Hornets from me!

I don't want to come down too hard on the NBA here because I get that they're trying to create reasons to watch the actual game instead of just following the drama on social media, but you gotta be Rivals to call it Rivalry Week. Or just don't have Cleveland play? Do Lakers vs. Celtics, Pacers vs. Knicks, and Spurs vs. Mavericks and let's call it a one day event. 

Is this Rage Bait……? #BEATCHARLOTTE