While the NBA usually preaches about integrity, respect and hospitality in each game, some players just can’t control themselves whenever they are on the court. On rare occasions, these unwanted progressions end up in skirmishes – which the league is trying to avoid. Other hated trends also include letting your team down, opting to sit despite nursing a minor injury, contract extension impasse, and talking to the team negatively, especially in front of the media. Fans and the media often criticize these kinds of behavior and with it, the player becomes hated throughout the entire league. Today, we will list the top 10 Most Hated NBA Players Of All-Time.
10. Zaza Pachulia
To call Pachulia a dirty player is an understatement. The Georgian big man is single-handedly responsible for ending the Spurs dynasty, blowing up the Raptors, and creating a safety rule that would stand forever as the “Zaza Rule” in one moment, in one play. The Zaza Rule allows for referees to call flagrant or technical fouls on reckless defensive closeouts. After referees call a foul, they now possess the ability to determine if the defender’s foot placement was reckless, allowing for an upgrade to flagrant, or to technical if there was no intent to injure.
9. Ben Simmons
The city of Philadelphia is known for being aggressive with its fandom. From the Eagles to the Phillies, the city of Philly has garnered more success than not as of late. The exception has been the city’s NBA team, the 76ers, who have yet to make it out of the second round of the playoffs. Simmons was the first to catch the folly of the Process, being the scapegoat for the team’s losses after looking to dish the rock instead of trying to dunk during a crucial win-or-go-home play. Since then, Simmons has elected not to play more often than not and held out for a trade where he landed in Brooklyn.
8. Draymond Green
Draymond. Stop kicking grown men in the balls. Green has been involved in several high-profile on-court altercations and has accumulated numerous technical fouls throughout his career. These incidents can lead to negative perceptions and reputations as a player with a volatile temper. Green is known for his aggressive and physical style of play on the court, which has crossed the line into dirty play at times, not to mention punching his own teammate in the face. That situation in particular led to an irreparable relationship that resulted in Jordan Poole getting traded. His penchant for trash-talking and emotional intensity on the court has also been a point of contention.
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7. Isiah Thomas
The original villain of the league was notorious by fans, teammates, and the media for his competitive, and sometimes aggressive, demeanor on the court. Some disliked his style of play, others felt he engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct. In one of his most iconic moments, Thomas took out his frustration by choking his own coach instead of getting penalized on the court. He was also accused of leading a walkout during the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, which affected his relationships with his peers. And oh yeah, he was a terrible head coach during his tenure with the New York Knicks.
6. Bill Laimbeer
Thomas’ teammate on the Bad Boys Pistons squad was the original flopper. In conjunction with running his mouth to opponents on the court, Laimbeer left his mark on the league as being a menace on the court. Laimbeer was noted by many to be a dirty player, using his physicality to make up for his lack of athleticism. Laimbeer was involved in several high-profile incidents where he elbowed or fouled other players, leading to injuries and escalating tensions on the court.
5. Ron Artest
There’s not a man, woman, or child on the court or in the stands that Artest wouldn’t go blow to blows with. He was involved with several on-court and technically off-court incidents of scraping with fans. One of the main reasons for the negative sentiment towards Artest stems from the “Malice at the Palace.” On November 19, 2004, while playing for the Indiana Pacers, Artest was involved in a violent altercation with fans during a game against the Detroit Pistons.
The incident resulted in a massive brawl involving players and spectators and led to significant suspensions and fines. This incident severely damaged Artest’s public image and contributed to widespread criticism and dislike from fans and the media. With his violent tendencies, Artest’s decision to change his name legally to Metta World Peace and other attention-grabbing publicity stunts have been viewed by some as gimmicky and attention-seeking, leading to skepticism and criticism.
4. Michael Jordan
The saying “they hate us ’cause they ain’t us” may have originated with Mike. Jordan’s unmatched competitiveness and self-confidence were essential elements of his success as a player, but they could also be perceived as arrogance. Jordan was known for pushing his teammates hard and demanding a lot from them. Some former teammates and players have spoken about challenging relationships with him due to his high standards and tough demeanor.
As one of the most iconic and marketable athletes in history, Jordan has received extensive media coverage, which can lead to both adoration and criticism. Some people might be fatigued by the constant focus on his achievements and the “Jordan” brand. And oh yeah, he was a terrible franchise owner for the Charlotte Hornets. The city can finally rest easy knowing the team is in new hands.
3. LeBron James
Skip Bayless alone has raised LeBron’s stock on this list by at least two spots. Chasing GOAT status is bound to draw criticism, and LeBron has been under a microscope in the media since his days at St. Vincent St. Mary High School. Real scrutiny didn’t come about until “The Decision”, however. In 2010, LeBron’s televised announcement about leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat was met with significant backlash.
Many criticized the spectacle of “The Decision,” feeling it was egotistical and disrespectful to his hometown and fan base. Throughout his career, LeBron has been part of several “super teams,” where he joined forces with other star players to create highly competitive teams. Some fans and critics argue that this diminishes the competitive balance of the league and makes it harder for smaller-market teams to compete.
2. Kevin Durant
The king of cupcakes and burner accounts is the most hated active player in the league, no doubt. One of the most significant reasons for the criticism Durant received was his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder during free agency in 2016 and join the already dominant 73-9 Golden State Warriors who bounced his Thunder from the playoffs the season prior. Durant has been known to respond to fans and critics on social media, which has led to some heated exchanges and public relations missteps. His interactions on Twitter have been viewed as overly sensitive and confrontational, especially when it was discovered that he had a burner account where he defended himself.
1. Kobe Bryant
Recency bias and revisionist history will tell you that the world loved Kobe. The world did not, in fact, love Kobe. Many in NBA fandom loved to hate the late great. Kobe was a killer on the court and left it all on the hardwood. He took his hard work ethic and competitive nature into every workout, practice, and game. He trash-talked his teammates, competitors, and even coaches. While this garnered respect from many, it also led to many resenting the superstar. Fans of opposing teams watched in horror night in and night out with the clock counting down when the ball was in his hands.
