The NBA has witnessed superteams, big threes, and star duos win championships and achieve greatness together. However, many teammates in the league have failed to get along. The reason could be an ego clash, failure to win championships, or something beyond our imagination. NBA players like the late Kobe Bryant, known for his seriousness and work ethic, had many disputes with his teammates in his career.
Those disputes include legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. However, the issue was settled between Kobe and his teammates. Some fights between teammates were later resolved, including Draymond Green and Jordan Poole’s infamous training fight incident.
The Warriors center also feuded with two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant during the 2018-19 season. However, they later claimed to be on good terms after that incident. Here are some NBA stars with unsettled conflicts with their former teammate.
Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns
The Chicago Bulls traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, and the 2015 most improved player helped the franchise reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season. However, Butler asked for a trade ahead of the 2018 training camp.
This grew tension between Butler and KAT, who argued at the practice. After Butler was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in November 2018, they had an on-court argument as opponents.
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Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen
After playing together on Team USA in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, and Hakeem Olajuwon were united at the Houston Rockets. In January 1999, Pippen was traded to the Rockets after 11 seasons and 6 championships with the Bulls.
However, Pippen demanded a trade after Houston’s early elimination from the Playoffs. Barkley openly criticized Pippen for his trade request, and the Bulls legend responded, saying, “He can never expect an apology from me.”
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid and Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons were teammates for six seasons during 2016-22. They made three playoff appearances together but failed to reach the Conference Finals. Embiid and then-Sixers coach Doc Rovers blamed Simmons for the Game 7 loss at the 2021 Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Despite four years remaining in his contract, Simmons didn’t take the comment in high spirits and requested a trade. He missed training and pre-season games and returned in October 2021. Simmons’ holdout and back injury kept him away from the court for the entire season, and he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022. Embiid and Simmons had a back-and-forth on social media and have trolled each other publicly.
Also Read: From Luka Doncic To Joel Embiid: Top 5 Active NBA Players With Most Points Scored In A Game
James Harden and Kevin Durant
An NBA trio that had the potential to achieve greatness played just 16 games together due to injuries and off-court controversies. The former Brooklyn Nets trio of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden had a 13-3 record in their time together on the court. After reaching the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, Harden and Durant reunited at the Nets in January 2021.
Durant and Harden played 43 games together at the Nets and won 30 games. Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2022, ending his partnership with Durant. While no public outrage was reported, Durant didn’t pick Harden in the NBA All-Star Draft, sparking speculations on their relationship.
LeBron James and Russell Westbrook
The Los Angeles Lakers became a serious contender for the NBA championship when they signed Russell Westbrook in the summer of 2021. However, the team failed to reach the Play-in spot as LeBron James and Anthony Davis spent most of the time sidelined due to injury. The 2017 NBA MVP became the scapegoat as fans criticized the guard on social media.
The next season, Westbrook started from the bench in October for the first time since his rookie season. However, with his incredible performance, the nine-time NBA All-Star became a sixth-man of the year contender. Despite his triple-doubles and hard work, the Lakers traded him to the Clippers in February 2023.
Since then, Westbrook and LeBron haven’t had a decent public appearance, and the former has ignored the Lakers star on many occasions. Reportedly, the Nuggets guard believed that the all-time NBA scoring leader was the driving force behind his sacking from the Lakers.
Apart from these superstars, Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan’s relationship after these many years looks dented. The two legends, who share six championships, faced tension in their relationship after the release of The Last Dance. The seven-time All-Star has been bitter in hindsight about the TV series narrative. However, the two still have mutual respect, making them one of the best NBA duos ever.
Also Read: Top 5 NBA Duos Fans Wish To See Together, Featuring LeBron James And Stephen Curry
