Legendary NBA Rivalries: A Decade-by-Decade Journey (2010s)

NBA FANTASY BASKETBALL

Jun 17, 2025

As the 2010s closed, the Warriors and Cavaliers’ saga represented the pinnacle of modern NBA rivalries. Featuring LeBron James against Stephen Curry and the Splash Brothers, their four consecutive NBA Finals matchups from 2015 to 2018 are unmatched in their impact, intense games, and dramatic narratives. Highlights include the Cavaliers' historic 2016 comeback, adding a chapter of redemption and rivalry that will be remembered for years.

Key Players

Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry: Known for his revolutionary three-point shooting, leadership, and offensive brilliance, Curry was instrumental in the Warriors’ success as the centerpiece to four NBA championships.

Career Averages: 24.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.4 APG, 1.5 SPG

Best Statistical Season (2015-2016, MVP): 30.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.7 APG, 2.1 SPG

Modern Fantasy Comparison: Damian Lillard

· Curry and Lillard are two of the greatest 3-point shooters the game has ever seen, drawing frequent double teams. Both also have the vision and ability to find open teammates and rack up assists.

Kevin Durant: Joining the Warriors after their 73-9 season, Durant’s scoring prowess and versatility added a new dimension to their already potent lineup. A 2-time NBA champion and 4-time Olympic gold medalist, Durant is one of the game’s deadliest scorers and will likely end his career as a top-5 scorer in league history.

Career Averages: 27.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.0 SPG

Best Statistical Season (2013-2014): 32.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.3 SPG

Modern Fantasy Comparison: Jayson Tatum

· Durant and Tatum are both tall, versatile wing players and excellent perimeter shooters. Although few can compete with the pure scoring ability of Durant, Tatum is a fair comparison who still has room to grow.

Klay Thompson: Perhaps the lesser-known of the “Splash Brothers”, Thompson is certainly one of the greatest 3-point shooters of all time. While known as an expert marksman, Thompson could also hold his own on the defensive end, earning NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team honors in 2019.

Career Averages: 19.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG

Best Statistical Season (2015-2016): 22.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG

Modern Fantasy Comparison: Buddy Hield

· Hield is not quite the scorer/sniper Thompson is, but both players are pure shooting guards who can get hot from three while providing below average rebounds and assists.

Draymond Green: Thompson’s sharpshooting and Green’s defensive tenacity and playmaking skills were central to the Warriors’ dominance.

Career Averages: 8.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Best Statistical Season (2015-2016, MVP - 7^th): 14.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Modern Fantasy Comparison: Bam Adebayo

· Green and Adebayo are versatile on both ends of the floor. While Bam offers higher upside in scoring, Green has a clear advantage in assists. Both players can stuff stat sheets, contributing a tally per night in both steals and blocks over their careers.

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James: Renowned as one of the greatest players of all time, LeBron’s all-around game, leadership, and clutch performances were pivotal for the Cavaliers.

Career Averages: 27.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 SPG

Best Statistical Season (2008-2009, MVP): 28.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG

Modern Fantasy Comparison: Luka Dončić

· Maybe it’s more accurate to just compare LeBron to himself as he has the statistics and accolades of two or three Hall-of-Fame careers at this point. However, his vision and basketball IQ is like Luka’s, and both are top-tier fantasy players every time they step on the court.

Kyrie Irving: With his exceptional ball-handling and scoring ability, Irving was a vital contributor to Cleveland's offense, especially in critical moments. Without his clutch 3-pointer in game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, the Warriors may be the proud owners of a 4-peat and the greatest single season in NBA history.

Career Averages: 23.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.3 SPG

Best Statistical Season (2018-2019): 23.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.5 SPG

Modern Fantasy Comparison: Ja Morant

· Irving arguably had better statistical seasons after his final season in Boston, however, he averaged just 50 games per season over five seasons since. Irving and Morant have provided very similar fantasy output, while also both being unreliable when it comes to suiting up and playing night in and night out.

Kevin Love: Provided rebounding strength and additional scoring threat to complement the Cavaliers’ Big Three.

Career Averages: 16.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.3 APG

Best Statistical Season (2013-2014): 26.1 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 4.4 APG

Modern Fantasy Comparison: Domantas Sabonis

· Sabonis has certainly become more of a playmaker and contributor with assists than Love ever has, but their career averages in points and rebounds are about as close as it gets.

Dynamics and Competitive Nature

The rivalry unfolded across four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, showcasing two historically great teams clashing at the zenith of their powers:

The Warriors excelled with their “Splash Brothers” backcourt, innovative style under coach Steve Kerr, and depth, culminating in a record-breaking 73-win season in 2016.

The Cavaliers were defined by LeBron’s leadership and their resilience, particularly in overcoming deficits and challenging Golden State’s supremacy.

Notable Encounters

2015 NBA Finals: The Warriors captured their first championship in four decades, defeating the Cavaliers in six games to kickstart their dynasty. Curry’s shooting and Iguodala’s impactful play were crucial. Can you think of a more unlikely NBA Finals MVP than Iguodala? He was the first to win the award without starting every game of the series.

2016 NBA Finals: The Cavaliers triumphed in a historic comeback, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to win in seven games. LeBron’s performances, including a monumental block in Game 7, and Irving’s decisive three-pointer, highlighted Cleveland’s championship victory. James became the first player in NBA history to lead all players in a playoff series in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He accomplished what he came back home to do and summed it up with the iconic, “Cleveland! This is for you!”

2017 NBA Finals: With Kevin Durant joining the roster, the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in five games, combining offensive firepower with defensive prowess to reclaim the title in dominant fashion. Durant and the Warriors were dominant, with Durant being unanimously voted the Finals MVP, and the Warriors finishing with a 16-1 playoff record.

2018 NBA Finals: The Warriors swept the Cavaliers, showcasing their formidable skills and teamwork. Despite LeBron’s efforts, Golden State reaffirmed their dominance and secured their third title in four years. 2018 marked the last time the NBA saw a repeat champion and the Warriors did it convincingly, winning by an average of 15 points per game.

Legacy and Influence

The Warriors vs. Cavaliers rivalry of the 2010s significantly shifted the landscape of the NBA, epitomizing the clash of strategic innovation against sheer athleticism:

For the Warriors, this rivalry underscored their status as one of the most dominant teams in history, revolutionizing the game with three-point shooting and dynamic playmaking.

For the Cavaliers, highlighting LeBron James’ incredible career and his capacity to lead and inspire, adding significantly to his legacy as he guided Cleveland to its first-ever championship victory.

This iconic rivalry defined the decade, bringing global attention to basketball’s evolving style, infused with dramatic narratives and superstar confrontations. It elevated the NBA’s competitive spirit and showcased the game’s continuing evolution through strategy, skill, and star power.