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The Most Hated Player In Every NBA Franchise’s History

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The Most Hated Player In Every NBA Franchise's History

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The most intriguing character is always the villain. No matter how we feel about them, we can't help but wait for their next misdeed with bated breath. Their fate is almost inevitable. They will lose. That's not the case in the NBA. In fact, some of the greatest winners of all time were villains. They were great players and they were hated. Some welcomed the role while others had it thrust upon them. As fans, we love to watch the ones we hate.

1. Atlanta Hawks- Josh Smith

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1. Atlanta Hawks- Josh Smith

Josh Smith Hawks
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Regardless of what team you root for, Josh Smith is maddening to watch. He drove Hawks fans particularly crazy while playing in Atlanta for nine seasons. He insisted on hoisting up pointless three-point shots which was and still is a clear weakness in his game. His turnover-prone play and salary demands caused his departure. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about Smith is the glimpses of potential he shows underneath all the nonsense.

2. Boston Celtics- Paul Pierce

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2. Boston Celtics- Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce Celtics
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Larry Bird could have gone here. Pierce gets the nod though because even without playing for the legendary Celtics, the intense hatred followed. His clutch shooting and wild hubris have left opposing teams and fans filled with rage and contempt. Pierce makes no secret about how much he loves being booed. He certainly enjoyed the chants of "Paul Pierce sucks!" in Toronto. For now, Pierce is loved by Clippers fans and hated by the rest.

3. Charlotte Hornets- Alonzo Mourning

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3. Charlotte Hornets- Alonzo Mourning

Alonzo Mourning Hornets
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Alonzo Mourning had problems on multiple teams throughout his career but he is here because Charlotte is where they started. The mutual problems between him and Larry Johnson carried onto their infamous fight during the Knicks-Heat rivalry. Then there was his time with the Nets. Mourning openly complained for a trade until he got his wish. Then, after being traded to Toronto he refused to report. He then signed with Miami. Zo was a prima donna.

4. Chicago Bulls- Dennis Rodman

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4. Chicago Bulls- Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman Chicago Bulls
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Dennis Rodman loves to draw attention to himself for non-basketball related behavior. People can hate him for that but there is plenty to hate about what he did on the court. Rodman wanted every rebound. Trying to get away with anything, Rodman would throw elbows in the paint and start fights for no reason. Never one to shy away from trash talk, Rodman wanted to get in his opponent's head. He was an incredible instigator.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers- Ricky Davis

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5. Cleveland Cavaliers- Ricky Davis

Ricky Davis Cavs
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"I thought LeBron James was just going to be another addition to help me score. I thought we were going to be a one-two tandem. But I guess I was wrong." The arrogance of that quote is enough to make you shake your head, but it also makes you wonder if Ricky Davis is that stupid. Why's he hateable? There was the time he got a triple-double by bouncing the ball off his own rim. Davis showed what he thought of the game that day. It's about him.

6. Dallas Mavericks- Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom Mavs
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6. Dallas Mavericks- Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom Mavs
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Lamar Odom is a very recent choice but there can't be a better one. Odom's impressive run with the Lakers brought hope to Dallas. Unfortunately it was a disaster right from the start. Odom never fit in. He had the worst season of his career amidst rumors of laziness and depression. From the outside it looked like he quit on the team. He had no problem sitting at home collecting that big check from the inactive list though.

7. Denver Nuggets- J.R. Smith

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7. Denver Nuggets- J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith Nuggets
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Of course it's J.R. Smith. Even the people who like him sometimes hate him. His reckless behavior on the court and his shot selections have gotten better as he has aged. However that just tells you how terrible his habits used to be. Smith is known for starting fights. Mostly he's known for being a chuck. He loves to shoot and that's why he loved his time in Cleveland. He was launching more open three's than he had in his entire career.

8. Detroit Pistons- Bill Laimbeer

Bill Laimbeer Pistons
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8. Detroit Pistons- Bill Laimbeer

Bill Laimbeer Pistons
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One of the dirtiest players in the history of the game, Laimbeer was hated by everyone outside of Detroit. He threw elbows and shoved his way around the paint towards incredible success in the league. A part of the "Bad Boy" Pistons, you can make just as strong a case for Isiah Thomas, especially after that Knicks debacle, but that shows just how hated Laimbeer was and still is. Like many, we hate him because he won.

9. Golden State Warriors- Latrell Sprewell

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9. Golden State Warriors- Latrell Sprewell

Latrell Sprewell Warriors
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Maybe the easiest choice of them all. Sprewell was a very emotional player. He screamed at opposing players and officials, earning the ire of opposing teams. Then there was the incident where he choked his coach P.J. Carlesimo during practice -- I doubt P.J. has gotten over that. And of course when he turned down the $21 million contract extension claiming it was not enough to feed his family. Memo to Josh Smith, Spree regretted saying that.

10. Houston Rockets- Ron Artest

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10. Houston Rockets- Ron Artest

Ron Artest Rockets
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Artest liked to say anything to get the media going, for example: talking about his drinking at halftime. His generally aggressive play during his prime would result in fights. In an league where defenses had gotten lazy, players were not used to getting pushed around all game. Part of Artest's defensive gameplan was a mind game. The more frustrated the player got the better. Then there was that whole fight thing in Detroit too.

11. Indiana Pacers- Reggie Miller

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11. Indiana Pacers- Reggie Miller

Reggie Miller Pacers
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He was blameless on every play. No matter what it looked like Reggie Miller was innocent. Just look at how he reacted, there was clearly no wrong act committed. Whenever a call didn't go his way he would put his hands up as if to ask what he did. Maybe the worst part about Miller was his ability to come through in the clutch. He made every big shot and was difficult to defend due to his supreme conditioning and his ability to come off of screens.

12. Los Angeles Clippers- Corey Maggette

Corey Maggette Clippers
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12. Los Angeles Clippers- Corey Maggette

Corey Maggette Clippers
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We may know Maggette as someone who was hated from his days with Golden State, but he actually played eight years in L.A. In fact, it started in high school. He admitted to taking money in high school, putting his eligibility at Duke in question. After eight seasons with the Clippers, Maggette signed a deal that Golden State fans still remember with anger for five years, $50 million. His most impressive accomplishment was a legendary nickname.

13. Los Angeles Lakers- Kobe Bryant

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13. Los Angeles Lakers- Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant Lakers
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One of the most hated athletes of all time and he couldn't care less. He ran Phil Jackson and Shaq out of L.A. so he could have the team to himself, only to bring Jackson back after realizing it was a mistake. His arrogant attitude on the court rubs opposing teams and fans the wrong way while his confrontational attitude off it does the same to teammates. And he shoots a lot so nobody wants to play with him. Thanks for the scoop, Jared Dudley.

14. Memphis Grizzlies- Antoine Walker

Antoine Walker Grizzlies
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14. Memphis Grizzlies- Antoine Walker

Antoine Walker Grizzlies
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Technically he only only played two preseason games for Memphis in 2008. He retired in 2012 after two years in the D-League. Walker was lazy. He ran the floor at his own pace and rarely went inside the three-point line on offense. In fact, without the three Walker may not have had a career in the league at all. It may be funny for us to watch his shimmy celebration now, but how angry do you think it made opposing players back then?

15. Miami Heat- Lebron James

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15. Miami Heat- Lebron James

Lebron James Heat
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Before Lebron came home he had to leave home. That's when he took his talents to South Beach and became the ultimate sports villain. Not just because he did it but because of the way he did it. James decided to tell Cleveland he was leaving in a 75 minute TV special on ESPN. He told everyone that he would rather go win a championship in Miami with his friends than stay at home. With one sentence, the hometown hero became an all-time villain.

16. Milwaukee Bucks- Ray Allen

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16. Milwaukee Bucks- Ray Allen

Ray Allen Bucks
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People remember Ray Allen from his championship winning years with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, but his career started in Milwaukee. Allen has been criticized for being aloof from his teammates, arrogant, and has been known to feud with other players. The most notable was Kobe Bryant, whom he criticized heavily in the media. Now it has become the rift between him and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett since he left for arch-rival Miami.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves- Kevin Garnett

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17. Minnesota Timberwolves- Kevin Garnett

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The league's best trash talker, Garnett has started fights with just his words. He can get in the head of any player and at age 39 knows the league as well as anyone. The TWolves brought him back to bring along number one overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns. He is the ultimate teammate. If he is on your team, as a fan you love him. If he's not, you want to punch him in the face.

18. Brooklyn Nets (New Jersey Nets)- Stephon Marbury

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18. Brooklyn Nets (Formerly New Jersey Nets)- Stephon Marbury

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Appointing himself his own nickname (Starbury) and tattooing a star on his head, Marbury had a unique personality. He was known for ignoring coaches and pissing off teammates with his outrageous remarks. In general, he couldn't handle much of what the media said to him. When Marbury was traded the team he left would instantly get better. Not a coincidence. He had the ego of a hall of famer without the talent.

19. New Orleans Pelicans (Formerly New Orleans Hornets)- Chris Paul

Chris Paul Hornets
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

19. New Orleans Pelicans (Formerly New Orleans Hornets)- Chris Paul

Chris Paul Hornets
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In their short history this team has had a limited roster. Of every player that has come through the most hated has to be Chris Paul. Paul forced his way out of New Orleans with a trade. He ended up with the Clippers, That's where he has generated the most hate. The entire Clippers team is guilty of complaining to the officials starting with Doc Rivers. But Paul's dirty play goes back to college. We remember the Julius Hodge incident, don't we?

20. New York Knicks- John Starks

John Starks New York Knicks
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20. New York Knicks- John Starks

John Starks New York Knicks
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For all their fanfare, the Knicks have not had many hated players. John Starks had a temper and liked to fight. He inserted himself into a personal rivalry with Reggie Miller culminating in his headbutting the Pacers' shooting guard. Starks liked to start fights and was a big trash talker. If you were a Knicks fan you loved John Starks and everything about him. If you weren't, you hated how this little guy talked trash and stirred the pot.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder (Formerly Seattle Supersonics)- Gary Payton

Gary Payton Seattle Supersonics
Gary Payton

21. Oklahoma City Thunder (Seattle Supersonics)- Gary Payton

Gary Payton Seattle Supersonics
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Gary Payton is one of the greatest point guards of all time and an incredible trash talker. An elite defender, he made a habit of taunting his opponent. Payton was stronger than other point guards and was known for his physical style of play. Some would say it was physical others would say it was dirty especially now. He was strong enough to push other guards around, so sometimes he would.

22. Orlado Magic- Shaquille O'Neal

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22. Orlando Magic- Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq Orlando Magic
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Is it possible to be universally loved but also to garner quite a bit of hate at the same time? Yes, because Shaq did it. He angered all Magic fans when he left Orlando for the Lakers. His much criticized attitude of laziness towards his work ethic and practice has caused him to garner criticism from players and analysts. Because of his size Shaq got away with things that other players couldn't and it made him brutal to play against.

23. Philadelphia 76ers- Allen Iverson

Iverson Philadelphia 76ers
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23. Philadelphia 76ers- Allen Iverson

Iverson Philadelphia 76ers
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We're talking about practice man. Not a game, not a game, not a game, we're talking about practice. Iverson's famous rant is just one of the many things he did that bugged his teammates and coaches. He was irresponsible and shot the ball as many times as he possibly could. He angered opposing players with his arrogant attitude. Iverson made other players look silly but that wasn't enough. He went out of his way to make sure everyone noticed it.

24. Phoenix Suns- Robert Horry

Robert Horry Phoenix Suns
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24. Phoenix Suns- Robert Horry

Phoenix Suns Robert Horry
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Robert Horry is remembered most for his time with the Lakers and Spurs but he started his careers in Phoenix. Ironically, the most hateable thing he ever did was against the Suns. He started the fight in Game 4 of the 2007 Western Conference Semifinals that cost Phoenix several key players. Horry's Spurs went on to win the series. He earned the nickname "Big Shot Bob" for his ability to come through in the clutch.

25. Portland Trail Blazers- Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Wallace Trail Blazers
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25. Portland Trail Blazers- Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Wallace Trail Blazers
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Rasheed Wallace has the NBA record for technical fouls in a season with 41 in 80 possible games. He also holds the record for career technical fouls with 317. A part of the "Jail Blazers," Wallace had the worst mouth in the history of the game. He screamed at opposing players and officials. That's when he wasn't cursing them out. Wallace was an excellent talent, a great shooter for a big man, but he will never be remembered for that.

26. Sacramento Kings- Vlade Divac

Vlade Divac Kings
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26. Sacramento Kings- Vlade Divac

Vlade Divac Sacramento Kings
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The king of the flop. Divac may not have invented the classic move that makes us all scream at our televisions today, but he perfected it. Back then his style of play was more even more upsetting. Now it is unfortunately commonplace and even joked about by announcers. Divac would flop at the slight touch of contact in the post. He was one of the most feared defenders in the NBA, but not for the typical reasons.

27. San Antonio Spurs- Bruce Bowen

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27. San Antonio Spurs- Bruce Bowen

Bruce Bowen Spurs
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Bruce Bowen was an incredible defensive player. He was one of the best of all time. He was also one of the dirtiest players of all time. Bowen was known for stepping on player's feet when they would come down from jump shots, attempting to cause injuries. He repeatedly punched players in the groin and considered it all part of the game. He was never penalized for it, so why would he stop? And he didn't. He continued to be hated.

28. Toronto Raptors- Vince Carter

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28. Toronto Raptors- Vince Carter

Vince Carter Raptors
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Before forcing his way out of Toronto, Vince Carter was a hero. Then his NBA image took a serious hit. He was booed every time he went back to Toronto. On top of that, when Carter left Toronto he was marching towards the career of a full blown superstar. His legacy is winning an amazing slam dunk contest then falling victim to injuries. Vince has lacked his once incredible explosiveness for quite some time and has turned into more of a shooter.

29. Utah Jazz- Karl Malone

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29. Utah Jazz- Karl Malone

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Karl Malone was an incredible player for the Utah Jazz. So great that he was a hero in Utah and hated everywhere else. Malone threw as many elbows and other cheap shots as anyone else in the game. He got away with them because he was Karl Malone. But it had to rub Jazz fans the wrong way when he left for the hated Los Angeles Lakers at the end to win a championship, especially after not being able to give them one.

30. Washington Wizards- Gilbert Arenas

Washington Wizards Arenas
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30. Washington Wizards- Gilbert Arenas

Washington Wizards Arenas
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Few players in league history had quicker falls from grace than Gilbert Arenas. After bringing an unloaded gun into his team's locker room, he and his teammate were stupid enough to make light of the situation, which he was under investigation for at the time, by mocking it during a pregame celebration. Then commissioner David Stern suspended both Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton for the rest of the season. Arenas is now in China.

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