The NBA has become one of the most popular professional leagues in the world. Approximately 5.47 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat. However, this always wasn’t the case before. The league had to deal with declining interest and viewership during the 1970s. This severely impacted the NBA’s brand image. The emergence of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the 1980s, and their subsequent rivalry, propelled the NBA’s popularity to stratospheric heights.

Since then, rivalries such as Jordan-led Chicago Bulls vs the Bad Boy Pistons, and Lakers vs Celtics, have been pivotal for the NBA’s growth and appeal. However, there’s a dearth of such fierce rivalries in the modern NBA. So, what has happened? Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker provided an explanation while talking to JJ Redick on the Old Man and the Three podcast. He said, “I’d say there’s no real rivalries because of grassroots basketball. A lot of these guys we’ve known for a really long time and I think people just realize that it’s not that deep half the time.”

Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas also echoed the same sentiment regarding the existence of fierce rivalries in the modern NBA. During a conversation with Shannon Sharpe on the Nightcap podcast, Arenas explained the monetary pitfalls of getting into altercations. He said, “This beef that everyone is taking from way back in the day, that don’t exist. Punches don’t cost $25 no more. It cost $250,000. The elbow that LeBron gave that young fellow (Isaiah Stewart), he missed one game. $390,000 that elbow cost him (LeBron).”

Physical altercations and violence between players have drastically declined due to the makeover of NBA rules and regulations. Ironically, however, Devin Booker has still managed to find himself involved in a few. Especially his most fierce head-on battle against Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

When Devin Booker took a beef with Luka Magic

Devin Booker and Luka Doncic have become two of the premier players of the NBA. The matchups between the Mavs and the Suns are always emotionally charged, particularly following the Mavericks’ impressive 4-3 series victory over the Suns in the 2022 playoffs. There were several flashpoints between Luka and Devin Booker in that series. From Booker taunting Luka for flopping and coining the phrase “Luka special,” to Luka glaring at Booker after the Mavericks won the crucial Game 7 to secure the series.

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Their rivalry spilled into the next season, too. After Luka failed to capitalize on an easy chance to tie the game, Devin Booker taunted him by pointing to the spot from which Doncic missed. Luka didn’t take kindly to Booker’s provocations, as the two almost came to blows. However, things have been cordial between the two this season, with Devin Booker even congratulating Luka on becoming a father during a Christmas Day match. But will the playoffs reignite their fierce rivalry?