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The most hated players in the NBA

 
1 of 31

Steven Adams

Steven Adams
Steve Dykes/USA Today Images

Steven Adams is an agitating presence in the low post for opposing NBA players. The Oklahoma City Thunder center has a reputation for bumping, shoving and pulling opposing big men a little too much. Add his handlebar mustache into the mix, and he just becomes that much easier to dislike.

 
2 of 31

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony
Al Bello/Getty Images

Perhaps the most loathed player in the NBA by his own fans, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has had a rough couple of years. After signing a five-year, $124 million contract with the team in 2014, Anthony then proceeded to have one of the worst years of his career in 2015, becoming the face of the most disappointing franchise in the NBA in the process. Combine that with the fact that Anthony chose to shut down his season after stinking it up in the 2015 All-Star Game in front of his home crowd, and it's easy to see that Carmelo has a lot work to do in repairing his relationship with Knicks fans. As the 2016-17 season has shown us so far, Anthony is still an excellent scorer, but the future of the Knicks lays in the hands of Kristaps Porzingis.

 
3 of 31

Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes
Troy Taormina/USA Today Images

Kings small forward Matt Barnes has rubbed many in the NBA universe the wrong way. Barnes racks up technical fouls, talks trash and just seems to act tougher than he is. In the 2015 playoffs, he was fined $50,000 by the NBA for making extremely vulgar comments toward James Harden’s mother during a game. That's not exactly the best way to earn good will with NBA fans. Additionally, Barnes had an offseason confrontation with Knicks head coach Derek Fisher that nearly turned violent, and he hasn't seemed to let up since.

 
4 of 31

Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

One of the best power forwards over the last 10 years, Miami Heat star Chris Bosh is hated by many NBA fans. Bosh was viewed as the weak link in the Heat’s big three, and his constant complaining to referees has made him appear entitled to NBA fans. Additionally, his habit of making bizarre post-game photobombs hasn’t helped his cause either. Admittedly, ill will toward Bosh has been tempered the past year-plus given his health condition, and the tide may even be turning as people sympathize with his blood clot scares.

 
5 of 31

Darren Collison

Darren Collison
Sergio Estrada/USA Today Images

Through his first seven NBA seasons, Darren Collison was hardly hated by any fans. However, that changed this past September when the Kings point guard plead guilty to domestic battery charges. Collison now draws far more boos on the road than he used to.

 
6 of 31

DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins
Rocky Widner/Getty Images

DeMarcus Cousins is perhaps the most polarizing player in the NBA at the moment. The Sacramento Kings superstar is one of the most dominant forces in the league but is also a hothead who consistently makes poor choices. Along with leading the league in technical fouls, Cousins has repeatedly been confrontational with the media and was recently sued for allegedly assaulting two men at a night club. Maybe it’s the stress of  playing for a Kings franchise that is easily the most mismanaged in the NBA, but for whatever reason, it doesn’t appear that “Boogie” will be maturing anytime soon.

 
7 of 31

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

While two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry is one of the most popular athletes in North America, there is a contingency of old-school basketball voices who feel the three-point revolution he is leading is ruining the NBA. While Curry can't be blamed totally for the massive rise in three-point shooting, his face is the symbol for it. For this reason, some fans and pundits deeply resent Curry.

 
8 of 31

Matthew Dellavedova

Matthew Dellavedova
Steve Mitchell/USA Today Images

A Sports Illustrated poll in early 2016 revealed that guard Matthew Dellavedova is considered the dirtiest player in the NBA by his peers. Dellavedova, who currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, gained his reputation as a dirty player after he injured Hawks shooter Kyle Korver in a playoff game.

 
9 of 31

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

By choosing to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder in the offseason to sign with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant immediately became one of the most hated players in the NBA. The decision by the 2014 NBA MVP to form a superteam in Oakland has be received by most fans as a cheap, title-chasing move that has disrupted competitive balance in the league they love. It’ll take some serious time and effort for Durant to repair his image across the country.

 
10 of 31

Draymond Green

Draymond Green
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Every new NBA season seems to bring fans new reasons to hate Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green. Green has the type of exuberant personality that gets on the nerves of opposing fans very easily. Combine that with the fact that he is an excellent defensive player and avid trash talker, and the hate should continue to be there for some time now for Green. It certainly won't subside after his multiple below-the-belt kicks toward Oklahoma City big man Steven Adams in the 2016 Western Conference Finals.

 
11 of 31

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin
Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Even for his own fans, Blake Griffin is one of the most frustrating players in the NBA. Oozing with talent and athleticism seen primarily in fictional stories, the Clippers star just can’t quite seem to put it all together. Griffin is also disdained by many NBA fans for the fact he seems to complain about every single foul call on the floor and is perceived as having more desire to shoot car commercials than work on his game. He certainly didn't change any naysayers' minds after breaking his hand by punching a team equipment staffer in early 2016, costing the Clips and himself months of action.

 
12 of 31

James Harden

James Harden
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Maybe it's the beard, maybe it's the foul calls or maybe it's just that he's such an incredible player. Any way you dice it, however, Rockets star James Harden is hated by tons of NBA fans. Another perceived "ball hog," Harden is the alpha dog on a Rockets team that has become one of the most disliked in the NBA, and that was only exacerbated this season. Sure, playing in Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense has done wonders to improve Harden's offensive statistics, but his lack of effort on the defensive side of the floor continues to be a source of constant criticism.

 
13 of 31

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard
Nick Turchiaro/USA Today Images

Since Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the Finals in 2009, he’s had a rough time in the NBA. After forcing his way out of Orlando, rubbing his 2012 Olympics teammates the wrong way, failing to make it work with the Lakers, joining the Houston Rockets and looking like a crybaby all along the way, Howard is now one of the NBA’s most universally hated players. He's disliked so much, he even had to face questions from Charles Barkley on live TV to discuss the hatred toward him. Perhaps his new home with the Atlanta Hawks will prove to be kinder to him.

 
14 of 31

Kris Humphries

Kris Humphries
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Hatred of Atlanta Hawks forward Kris Humphries is the result of one simple fact: At one time he was married to Kim Kardashian. Despite the fact the they were only married for a grand total of 72 days, just being linked to the infamous celebrity and her family has made Humphries one of the most hated players in the NBA.

 
15 of 31

LeBron James

LeBron James
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Deserved or not, LeBron James has been the most hated player in the NBA for quite some time now. James garnered most of his hate when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 to join the Miami Heat, doing so in a manner that was distasteful to some fans and disgraceful to others. Since his subsequent return to the Cavs, some of the hate has died down, but "The King" will always have his fair share of haters in all corners of the basketball universe.

 
16 of 31

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan
Cameron Browne/Getty Images

Not too long ago, along with teammate Blake Griffin, Jordan was beloved as part of the revived "Lob City" Clippers. That has changed, thanks in large part to his flip-flopping in the 2015 offseason. Jordan had a bizarre situation in which Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks thought they had secured the free agent, only to see him hole up in his house with Doc Rivers and Co. to re-sign with L.A. DeAndre has had his detractors since, who also love to point out his atrocious free throw shooting and limited offensive skill set.

 
17 of 31

Chris Kaman

Chris Kaman
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Center Chris Kaman is hated by NBA fans much more for what he does off the court than on the court. Kaman is an avid hunter, and his love of the sport, along with the fact that he isn’t afraid to show off a fresh kill on social media, has rubbed NBA fans of a different mind-set the wrong way. Kaman is currently a free agent.

 
18 of 31

Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Although he hasn’t drawn too much hatred from around the league, in Utah, Enes Kanter is public enemy No. 1. After failing to establish a rapport with his teammates and coaching staff or really ever playing that well for the Jazz after being drafted third overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, Kanter was traded to the Thunder at the 2015 trade deadline. After the trade was completed, Kanter’s former Jazz teammates publicly trashed him for a sense of entitlement and unwillingness to compete.

 
19 of 31

Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin
Tom Szczerbowski/USA Today Images

After having a few good games for the New York Knicks in 2012 and gaining his own cult following in the "Linsanity" days, Jeremy Lin was the darling of the NBA. However, after it became apparent that he wasn’t as good as initially advertised, the majority of the NBA world turned on him. Lin now plays for the Brooklyn Nets, where he barely receives any attention anymore.

 
20 of 31

Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah
Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Formerly one of the best defensive big men in the NBA, New York Knicks center Joakim Noah seems to take pleasure in irking NBA fans. Noah has gone on record insulting the cities opposing teams play in (Cleveland, in particular) and is perhaps one of the loudest players in the NBA when he is on the court. Noah is undoubtedly one of the most hated players in NBA, something he probably takes pride in.

 
21 of 31

Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor
Kent Smith/Getty Images

At one time considered the top player in the 2015 NBA Draft, Jahlil Okafor has become a frustrating figure for Philadelphia 76ers fans. Granted, the center isn’t really a fit for the team, but Okafor’s statistical regression in his second NBA season has seen him draw criticism from his own fans, who want him traded.

 
22 of 31

Tony Parker

Tony Parker
Steve Dykes/Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs are a team revered and respected by the basketball world. Their All-Star point guard Tony Parker is another story, however. Although it has nothing to do with his on-court play, Parker has drawn hate from NBA fans for allegedly cheating on his now ex-wife, actress Eva Longoria. Parker has also been rumored to have slept with a former teammate's wife.

 
23 of 31

Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce
Noah Graham/Getty Images

Paul Pierce has made his living in the NBA talking smack but also backing it up. With that said, it should be easy to understand why he’s one of the most hated players in the NBA. After all, no one likes an arrogant jerk who's actually as good as he says he is. Although Pierce is near the end of his career, the boos rain down from each and every arena he enters as a visiting player.

 
24 of 31

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers
Jerome Miron/USA Today Images

Somewhat of a disappointment after being drafted No. 10 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft and failing to make any noise, Austin Rivers has become one of the most hated players in the NBA this past year. The key reason: His father, Clippers coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers, traded for him in a move that screamed nepotism to many fans. Although he's played reasonably well for the Clips since they acquired him, even garnering respect for playing bloodied and battered in the postseason, playing for his dad doesn’t exactly help the younger Rivers' credibility as a true basketball player in the eyes of NBA fans.

 
25 of 31

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo
Aaron Doster/USA Today Images

Even when he was playing at his best with the Boston Celtics, point guard Rajon Rondo seemed to be a player somewhat disconnected from his teammates. After his failed tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, during which coach Rick Carlisle basically sent him home for the playoffs, that perception was confirmed. The former All-Star point guard failed to catch on with the Sacramento Kings in the 2015-16 campaign but has another chance to improve his reputation this season with the Bulls.

 
26 of 31

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose
Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today Images

After being beloved by NBA fans, Derrick Rose has turned into one of the NBA's most disliked players. Fans are disappointed he is no longer the explosive player he was of years past, and accusations of sexual assault have hurt the point guard's reputation. The Chicago Bulls were also apparently fed up with Rose as well, trading him in the offseason to the Knicks.

 
27 of 31

D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell
Brad Penner/USA Today Images

Now that Luke Walton is running the show for the Lakers, point guard D'Angelo Russell's rocky start to his NBA career seems to have been forgotten by many but certainly not everyone. In his rookie season, the Ohio State product ostracized himself from his teammates after posting to social media what appeared to be a private, potentially incriminating conversion he was having with teammate Nick Young. Ouch. Not only did it make his teammates look at him sideways, but fans across the nation took pause to contemplate just how absurd this was.

 
28 of 31

J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith has been one of the NBA’s most confounding players for some time now. He’s absurdly talented, but to the displeasure of so many fans, he seems to play in a manner that hurts his team as a whole. Brash, arrogant and NEVER afraid to shoot, Smith is hated by fans for being a selfish and reckless basketball player.

 
29 of 31

Lance Stephenson

Lance Stephenson
Joe Murphy/Getty Images

Perhaps best recognized by most NBA fans as the player who bizarrely blew into LeBron James' ear during the 2014 playoffs, Lance Stephenson has done plenty to attract ire from NBA fans since. After signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets in 2014, Stephenson's career has gone into the toilet. A poor attitude and inconsistent play have seen Stephenson jump ship to four different teams in less than two years. He is currently a free agent.

 
30 of 31

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

There’s no denying the enormous talent that is Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is disliked by fans across the globe for being an egocentric ball hog who refuses to defer to his teammates and takes wild shots. Many fans wonder if Westbrook's style of play was the deciding factor in Kevin Durant leaving OKC and resent the All-Star point guard for it. Throw Westbrook's outrageous fashion sense and seemingly never-ending sneer into the mix, and it's easy to see why he will always have his fair share of detractors.

 
31 of 31

Nick Young

Nick Young
Rocky Widner/Getty Images

To be fair to Nick Young, the 2016-17 season is shaping up to be a comeback year for the Lakers shooting guard. Still, "Swaggy P" is hated by NBA fans for his selfish play on the court and annoying persona off the court.

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