The Spurs and their revitalized foe have the makings of an NBA-changing rivalry

One of the biggest complaints surrounding the NBA is the lack of great rivalries. In other major American sports, there is a collection of heated rivals who fight to the death whenever they meet. The NBA, for a multitude of reasons, doesn't have much of that. The league as a whole is lacking rivalry. However, this drought may be coming to an end very shortly.

In December, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have matched up three times, and the Spurs have come out on top every time. Despite the Silver and Black's roaring success, the games have been close and intense. It is becoming clear that these teams don't like each other. This pair has all the makings of an all-time rivalry.

The Spurs and Thunder are perfectly aligned

These are perhaps the two most exciting, youthful, and promising teams in the league right now. Each of them is bubbling with rising and established young stars, a top-five player at the helm, and a deep cast of role players. With excellent general management skills from the men up top, these squads are built to sustain success for a long time.

At the core of the rivalry are Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. This duo was born into their conflict because of their strikingly similar frames, youthfulness, and early career battles. They may or may not actually hate each other, but whenever these two match up, they are out for blood.

This rivalry can be one of the best in NBA history

Whether you like it or not, there is a strong chance that both the Spurs and Thunder will be leading the Western Conference for the next decade. The team's stars, Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are just coming into their own and will propel their squads into contention for as long as they are playing.

We have no idea how the playoffs will shake out once April arrives, but the Spurs and Thunder are on a blazing track to meet each other in the playoff field. By then, this duel could get violent. The Thunder will be seeking a second straight title, while the Silver and Black will be vying to prove their worth.

Even if you aren't a fan of either team, the prospects of what is potentially to come from these two is enthralling. The NBA needs real hatred and a long-lived rivalry. Adam Silver would love to have it, too. Get ready to see a whole lot of Spurs-Thunder action, and make sure to grab your popcorn and get comfortable because it's going to be an absolute show whenever they meet.