It was Goku and Burma adventure at first. Then Goku, Krilin, Yamcha rivalry, followed by Goku, Muten Roshi, and Tien rivalry, Goku-Picollo, Goku- Vegeta, and so on.
Tbh, DB and DBZ are pretty good in giving side character screentime, like when Goku was locked in healing water while Krilin...