We’ve all seen players get hate for their play on the basketball court, but this list focuses on the players who have made the most enemies off of it. The list includes players who have had offensive antics or a history of bad behavior, as well as players with a reputation of being dirty or uncouth. It is interesting to look back on the career of one of these players and see where they started and where they ended up. This article is meant to be a fun look at the most hated NBA players of all time.
We all love entertaining some of the good old NBA players, especially those of us who have been supporting the NBA for years. However, we all have to agree that there are many players in the NBA who have been frustrating us to no end. Some of these players have been known to go off the deep end and curse out fans, while others are just plain crazed.
Why did they become such a hated player?
The NBA became a hated player because of the many scandals that have happened in the league. Because he was always getting arrested or assaulting someone else (and not even the guy himself). He’s also known as one of the worst trash talkers ever in the game of basketball. And, last but not least, this guy just loves flying into the crowd looking for fights. Some of the NBA players are hated because they were not liked by fans due to how they acted on the court or because they had bad attitudes.
What were the circumstances that led to their hatred?
There are so many reasons why these guys hate each other. They would be fighting over something like a technical foul to get out of an intense game, then turn around and start insulting each other. Or maybe during a fight they’d trip another player causing him to fall down and break his ankle.
Is it right or wrong to say that these players are hated?
It is difficult to answer this question without knowing the context of the players. It’s both right and wrong. I mean if we look closely at some of the incidents that lead up to the “hatred”, the situations weren’t exactly right. Some of these players are hated because they are not likeable, some are hated because they have many incidents, scandals, and crazy behavior.
List of the Top 20 Most Hated NBA Players of All Time
The truth is, there are thousands of players in the NBA, and each one has a unique story. Some players have had great careers, some not so much, and some have had amazing ups and downs. But here are the 20 most hated NBA players of all time, in no particular order:
1. Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant was born on 29 September 1988. He is an American basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2019. He has won an NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2014, four NBA scoring titles, the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and two Olympic gold medals. Durant has also been selected to 11 NBA All-Star.
Although some may dislike his attitude, there is no question that Kevin Durant is one of the talented basketball players in the NBA. Durant is a 6’10” small forward for the Oklahoma City Thunders who is known for his performance on the court.
Why is Kevin Durant so hated?
Kevin Durant is one of the hated players in the NBA, and this has to do with his move to Golden State Warriors. He was a superstar for Oklahoma City for the first 9 years of his career, and when he left the team, he took a lot of their fans with him. The Warriors were already a team that was full of stars and they went out and got another one.
2. Bruce Bowen
Bruce Eric Bowen is a former American NBA player and coach who was a small forward of Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association. The 6’7″ tall player, Bruce was born on 14 June 1971 in Merced, California.
Now that Bruce Bowen is officially retired, we can look back (or maybe look forward, depending on whether or not you were a fan of his) at his controversial career. He was a candidate for being the league’s dirtiest player and was also known for his patented one-footed fadeaway jump shot.
Why is Bruce Bowen so hated?
Bruce Bowen is hated by many because of his physical play. He was known for being a dirty player, often fouling players to prevent them from scoring. He has been criticized for using “dangerous tactics” that are unnecessary and uncalled for.
3. Rick Barry
Rick Barry was a master of the unorthodox, a man whose game was unique, totally his own. He did things that were different. He was so strong he could hold his own with the giants of the league. He was the best free-throw shooter of all time and ranked number 1. He was a great shooter. Rick Barry was one of the most popular players in NBA history. People liked him.
As a player, he was widely regarded as an all-time great, a prolific scorer who could “outshoot and outscore” any opponent; he was also known for his competitive streak and physical toughness.
Oftentimes, the player that is most disliked by the opposing team is the one who plays the best. That was the case with Rick Barry, who went from a player who was almost considered a joke to one of the best basketball players in the world.
Why is Rick Barry so hated?
Rick Barry is most likely hated because of his success on the court. People are often jealous of those who are more successful than themselves, so they may have a negative opinion of Rick Barry.
4. LeBron James
LeBron James is a basketball player who is both an NBA champion and MVP. He has won four league MVPs, four NBA Finals MVPs, three Olympic gold medals, and four NBA championships. He has also been a member of the United States Men’s National Basketball Team.
Why is LeBron James so hated?
LeBron James is hated because he left his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to go play for another team. This hurt the city of Cleveland and its fans. He was also criticized for not being a good teammate.
5. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant played his entire career as a shooting guard from 1996 to 2016 for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bryant is a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 18-time NBA All-Star. He is also one of the top-ranked in NBA history in total points scored. He was born in Philadelphia and raised in Italy and Pennsylvania by his mother, Pamela Cox Bryant. Bryant is one of only three players to play at least 20 seasons in the NBA and is the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. His nicknames include the “Black Mamba” and “Jellybean”.
Why is Kobe Bryant so hated?
Kobe Bryant is one of the most hated players in the NBA. He was accused of sexual assault, which was complained about by a 19-year-old hotel employee. Then acquitted and settled privately, and many still think he’s guilty. He’s also been called selfish and arrogant. His fans say that he’s a tough competitor and a winner.
6. Draymond Green
Draymond Green is playing for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association since 2012. Green, who plays primarily at the power forward position, was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2015-201,7 and 2021. With his college career at Michigan State, he became the only player in Big Ten Conference Sixth Man of the Year. Green was drafted by the Warriors in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft.
Why is Draymond Green so hated?
Draymond Green is hated because he is a very outspoken player with a big mouth. He has done things that would make him an enemy of opposing fans, such as taunting opponents after making a good play. He was arrested for going to Rick’s bar and was released four-hour after the arrest. He got bail for $200.
7. Vince Carter
Vince Carter was born on January 26, 1977, in Daytona Beach, Florida. He attended Mainland High School in Daytona Beach and played on the school team. He was named Florida’s “Mr. Basketball” in 1995. Carter was recruited to play for the University of North Carolina at the age of 16.
After winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1999, he quickly fell out of favor with fans and was traded to the New Jersey Nets. He then played for the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks before retiring in 2020.
Why is Vince Carter so hated?
Vince Carter has been the subject of many criticisms since he entered the NBA. His most well-known criticism is that he is a “chucker” who shoots too much and lacks efficiency. Carter’s critics also say that his style of play is flashy and showy, which does not fit with the idea of an old-school player.
8. Dwight Howard
Born on August 8, 1985, Dwight David Howard is a basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. Howard, who has been nicknamed “Superman” as a result of his initials, is often viewed as one of the best centers in the league.
Howard played high school basketball for the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Southland Conference. He is best known for his high-flying and spectacular dunks which earned him the nicknames “Superman”.
Why is Dwight Howard so hated?
Dwight Howard has had a very successful career, but he is hated by many people. Howard was often criticized for being a “coach killer” – someone who would refuse to play for certain coaches or would demand a trade from a team because of conflicts with the coach. Howard also had a history of injuries, which can lead to frustration among fans.
9. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is a basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA since 2019. He was born on 23 March 1992 in Melbourne, Australia. He has two sisters named Asia and London. He is best known for his use of the spin move and his clutch shots in college. He was also named “Uncle Drew” for acting in a series of Pepsi Max advertisements. Kyrie Irving’s basketball abilities have led him to become the Rookie of the Year in the NBA in 2012.
Irving was a member of the United States national team that won gold medals at the 2010 and the 2014 FIBA World Cup. He is a seven-time NBA All-Star and was named the 2014 NBA All-Star Game MVP.
Why is Kyrie Irving so hated?
Kyrie Irving is one of the most hated players in the NBA because he has a tendency to make bad decisions. He’s been known to take bad shots, and his defense is subpar. He also seems to have an inflated ego, which can rub people the wrong way.
10. Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler has been in the league for 10 years now (2011 to present). He is a 6’7″ small forward who averages 23 points per game. He is also an All-Star and an NBA Champion.
He has played for 4 teams (Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat) in his career, which is rare for someone who has been in the league for so long. His first team was the Chicago Bulls, where he played for 6 years before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017.
Why is Jimmy Butler so hated?
He’s known for his trash-talking and his tendency to fight with teammates. Jimmy Butler’s hate stems from his attitude as a player. He plays aggressively and with a chip on his shoulder. He plays with a lot of emotion and can be overly aggressive.
11. Bill Laimbeer
12. Carmelo Anthony
13. Patrick Beverley
14. Karl Malone
15. Rasheed Wallace
16. Chris Paul
17. Paul George
18. Dennis Rodman
19. Metta Sandiford Artest
20. Kermit Washington
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Hated NBA Players
The current most hated NBA player is LeBron James is the most hated NBA player in 24 different states now.
LeBron James is the basketball player with most haters in NBA. According to an analysis of hate tweets, LeBron James is the most hated among all basketball players. James had received 12% of the total hate tweets in the NBA and he has haters in 24 different states of the USA.
The meanest NBA player is Bruce Bowen. He was the all-time dirtiest player in NBA history. He is a very talented small forward and graduated player who has shown his talent in the NBA. But his attitude or behavior has caused people to hate him.
In summary, the “most hated NBA players” are not just recognized for their on-field exploits, but also their tomfoolery off the court. It’s easy to hate on a player who is pompous, lazy, and mean-spirited. But some players also made it on this list because they were just plain unlucky and had misfortunate circumstances that affected on-court performance. I hope you have enjoyed our list of the top 20 most hated basketball players of all time. If you think we have missed anyone, let us know in the comments section. We are looking at making a top 30 list next, so stay tuned for that!
