TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Dormant for years, the rivalry between the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers may be back.
After Wizards guard Bradley Beal proclaimed that he and John Wall were the best backcourt in the NBA, Cavs guard Dion Waiters voiced his opinion, saying he and Kyrie Irving were better.
“That’s nonsense,” Waiters said after practice on Tuesday. “He’s supposed to say that, but I know deep down they’re not messing with me and Ky. I think me and Ky are the best young backcourt.”
It didn’t take long for Wall to respond.
“They haven’t seen a playoff game yet, so when they make one, they can start talking,” Wall said, adding that Waiters hasn’t been a starter.
There’s a history between the Wizards and Cavs, who met in the playoffs from 2006-08. Cleveland won each series, but there was hostility between LeBron James and DeShawn Stevenson. Wizards center Brendan Haywood — now with the Cavs — was ejected for shoving James, and even rappers Jay-Z and Soulja Boy were involved.
Cleveland visits Washington on Nov. 21 and hosts the Wizards five days later.
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