10 Most Hateable NBA Players of 2014-15

10 Most Hateable NBA Players of 2014-15

By Court Zierk

October 15, 2014

10 Most Hateable NBA Players of 2014-15

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers-Media Day — Some players are easy to root for. They go about their business in a professional manner, have likeable characteristics and just seem to do things the right way. Other players, well, aren’t so easy to root for. In fact, despite how hard you try to resist, you find yourself with such a deep-rooted dislike for these guys that it is embarrassing. Here are the 10 guys that make you question your own character because you hate them so much.

Some players are easy to root for. They go about their business in a professional manner, have likeable characteristics and just seem to do things the right way. Other players, well, aren’t so easy to root for. In fact, despite how hard you try to resist, you find yourself with such a deep-rooted dislike for these guys that it is embarrassing. Here are the 10 guys that make you question your own character because you hate them so much.

10. Kris Humphries (Washington Wizards)

Moet & Chandon Toasts The 140th Kentucky Derby

10. Kris Humphries (Washington Wizards)

Moet & Chandon Toasts The 140th Kentucky Derby — It is difficult to put your finger on why exactly Humphries is so universally hated. Maybe it is the fact that he is a reality TV diva. Maybe it is the arrogance that he emanates in everything he does. Maybe it’s that smug little grin he constantly flashes on the court. Whatever it is, Humphries is widely viewed as a despicable and detestable character.

It is difficult to put your finger on why exactly Humphries is so universally hated. Maybe it is the fact that he is a reality TV diva. Maybe it is the arrogance that he emanates in everything he does. Maybe it’s that smug little grin he constantly flashes on the court. Whatever it is, Humphries is widely viewed as a despicable and detestable character.

9. Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets)

2014 Global Games - Nets v Kings

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9. Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets)

2014 Global Games - Nets v Kings — From the legendary Jerry Sloan to Avery Johnson, Williams is one of the most notorious “coach killers” around. He has also only played in an average of 52 games per season since joining the Nets and has been in perpetual decline since 2012, so I imagine that Nets fans are getting pretty tired of him taking up nearly a third of their payroll.

From the legendary Jerry Sloan to Avery Johnson, Williams is one of the most notorious “coach killers” around. He has also only played in an average of 52 games per season since joining the Nets and has been in perpetual decline since 2012, so I imagine that Nets fans are getting pretty tired of him taking up nearly a third of their payroll.

8. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Milwaukee Bucks v Cleveland Cavaliers

8. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Milwaukee Bucks v Cleveland Cavaliers — This same list one year ago would have had LeBron at the very top. However, I think he actually gained some favor in NBA circles -- outside of Miami of course -- with his decision to “make things right” by returning to Cleveland. Don’t get me wrong, though; just hop onto Twitter and you probably can’t go 10 minutes without seeing someone blast LeBron. He remains a very divisive superstar.

This same list one year ago would have had LeBron at the very top. However, I think he actually gained some favor in NBA circles -- outside of Miami of course -- with his decision to “make things right” by returning to Cleveland. Don’t get me wrong, though; just hop onto Twitter and you probably can’t go 10 minutes without seeing someone blast LeBron. He remains a very divisive superstar.

7. Andrew Bogut (Golden State Warriors)

Phoenix Suns v Golden State Warriors

7. Andrew Bogut (Golden State Warriors)

Phoenix Suns v Golden State Warriors — I bet if you were to poll NBA players on who they hate the most, Bogut’s name would come out either at or very near the top. He is quite simply the most dirty player in the league, but until your favorite team is engaged in an extended playoff series with the Warriors, you may just not know it yet. This guy plays a specific role and gets into the heads of his opponent. He is definitely hated, but he is also very good at what he does.

I bet if you were to poll NBA players on who they hate the most, Bogut’s name would come out either at or very near the top. He is quite simply the most dirty player in the league, but until your favorite team is engaged in an extended playoff series with the Warriors, you may just not know it yet. This guy plays a specific role and gets into the heads of his opponent. He is definitely hated, but he is also very good at what he does.

6. Paul Pierce (Washington Wizards)

Washington Wizards v Chicago Bulls

6. Paul Pierce (Washington Wizards)

Washington Wizards v Chicago Bulls — I am actually a huge fan of Paul Pierce, but I put him on here because he has gotten under the skin of so many players and fans that his prickliness is that of legends. Just ask Joakim Noah, who was recently involved in a heated skirmish with Pierce in a preseason game. That’s right -- preseason. I love what he brings to the table in terms of grittiness, but he also rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

I am actually a huge fan of Paul Pierce, but I put him on here because he has gotten under the skin of so many players and fans that his prickliness is that of legends. Just ask Joakim Noah, who was recently involved in a heated skirmish with Pierce in a preseason game. That’s right -- preseason. I love what he brings to the table in terms of grittiness, but he also rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

5. Kendrick Perkins (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day

5. Kendrick Perkins (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day — There is one thing nearly as mystifying as the question of what awaits us in the afterlife -- why does Kendrick Perkins still have an NBA job? The guy is clearly one of the worst centers in the league. He has no business doing anything besides getting in people’s way on the offensive end of the court. And his face, oh man, that face is enough to make the most gentle-hearted souls despise his existence.

There is one thing nearly as mystifying as the question of what awaits us in the afterlife -- why does Kendrick Perkins still have an NBA job? The guy is clearly one of the worst centers in the league. He has no business doing anything besides getting in people’s way on the offensive end of the court. And his face, oh man, that face is enough to make the most gentle-hearted souls despise his existence.

4. Ray Allen (Free Agent)

2014 NBA Finals - Practice Day And Media Availability

4. Ray Allen (Free Agent)

2014 NBA Finals - Practice Day And Media Availability — Technically Ray Allen isn’t an active NBA player, but he also hasn’t retired yet, and the widely accepted belief is that he will probably join the Cavs at some point this season. I personally have nothing against Allen, or how he has handled his free agency periods, but some people have placed the ignominious label on him of a “ring chaser”. And people hate other people who chase after the ultimate goal in their given profession apparently.

Technically Ray Allen isn’t an active NBA player, but he also hasn’t retired yet, and the widely accepted belief is that he will probably join the Cavs at some point this season. I personally have nothing against Allen, or how he has handled his free agency periods, but some people have placed the ignominious label on him of a “ring chaser”. And people hate other people who chase after the ultimate goal in their given profession apparently.

3. Kevin Garnett (Brooklyn Nets)

2014 Global Games - Brooklyn Nets v Sacramento Kings

3. Kevin Garnett (Brooklyn Nets)

2014 Global Games - Brooklyn Nets v Sacramento Kings — Garnett plays the game of basketball with more heart than any other player to have ever stepped foot onto a court. It is that fiery competitiveness and passion that drives some people crazy. Garnett’s intensity gets into the heads of his opponents, and the fans of the opposing teams perceive him as a bully. And well, they are right. He is a bully, but he has also made a Hall-of-Fame career out of it.

Garnett plays the game of basketball with more heart than any other player to have ever stepped foot onto a court. It is that fiery competitiveness and passion that drives some people crazy. Garnett’s intensity gets into the heads of his opponents, and the fans of the opposing teams perceive him as a bully. And well, they are right. He is a bully, but he has also made a Hall-of-Fame career out of it.

2. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers

2. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers — There are really two camps of people when it comes to Kobe Bryant. One that believes he is the greatest player to have ever laced up, and another that believes he is a fraudulent Michael Jordan impersonator. It is extremely difficult to find anyone in between. Kobe is also as blunt of a player as there has ever been and his candidness often comes across as untethered arrogance. He is the superstar that fans love to hate.

There are really two camps of people when it comes to Kobe Bryant. One that believes he is the greatest player to have ever laced up, and another that believes he is a fraudulent Michael Jordan impersonator. It is extremely difficult to find anyone in between. Kobe is also as blunt of a player as there has ever been and his candidness often comes across as untethered arrogance. He is the superstar that fans love to hate.

1. Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets)

Houston Rockets Media Day

1. Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets)

Houston Rockets Media Day — It is extremely difficult -- no it is impossible -- to find anyone outside of the market he is currently playing in who doesn’t just despise this man. He has managed to make two franchises absolutely detest him, and his behavior in both circumstances was childlike at best. He is immature. He is spoiled. He is one-dimensional. And he is really, really hateable.

It is extremely difficult -- no it is impossible -- to find anyone outside of the market he is currently playing in who doesn’t just despise this man. He has managed to make two franchises absolutely detest him, and his behavior in both circumstances was childlike at best. He is immature. He is spoiled. He is one-dimensional. And he is really, really hateable.

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