10 NBA Stars Who Complain To Referees The Most

Luka Doncic often performs full-blown theatrical productions after almost every whistle. The moment a call goes against him, you can count on an exasperated look, a flailing of the arms, and a long conversation with the official while play continues on the other end.

This season has been no different, even when he has worn the iconic Lakers jersey. To be fair, his frustration isn’t entirely unfounded because he absorbs a ton of contact as the focal point of the offense, and because of his size, at 6’6” and 230 lbs, he takes more damage than he probably should.

Beyond the on-court dramatics, Doncic has a reputation for sarcastic interactions with referees. He’s been caught flashing the "money sign" at officials, hinting at foul play, and his eye-rolls are practically a part of his signature move set. Naturally, opposing fans love to mock his complaints, and that won’t change anytime soon.

2. LeBron James

LeBron James has spent two decades as one of the best players in NBA history but he’s also spent a significant portion of those years questioning officials. Sure, he’s a freight train attacking the rim, and there are plenty of no-calls that would leave anyone frustrated. But LeBron often stops mid-play to turn toward the ref with palms up, mouth open, waiting for an explanation.

His most infamous moment came in the 2022-23 season against the Celtics, when a blatant missed call at the end of regulation sent him into a full meltdown - falling to his knees in disbelief, a reaction that instantly became a meme.

Even in the 2024-25 season, LeBron remains one of the most persistent complainers in the game. His veteran savvy allows him to get away with talking to referees more than most, and he knows exactly how to lobby for calls throughout a game. Some might call it working the refs, others might call it excessive - but either way, it's part of what makes LeBron, well, LeBron.

3. Draymond Green

If complaining to referees were a stat, Draymond Green would be one of the all-time leaders. Very few in the NBA argue with more intensity, frequency, and sheer determination than the Warriors' defensive anchor.

He aggressively challenges referees like a seasoned lawyer in a high-stakes trial. His technical fouls are legendary, and he’s been ejected more times than most players will ever experience in their careers. This season, Green's antics have been just as prevalent, despite missing tons of time due to suspensions.

Even after returning, he hasn’t toned it down. He’ll contest an obvious foul as if he were wrongly accused of a crime, and his emotional outbursts have cost the Warriors at key moments. Love him or hate him (some really hate him), when Draymond is on the floor, the refs are always in for a long night.

4. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is one of the most intense competitors in the NBA, and his interactions with referees match that fire. He plays with relentless energy, attacking the rim with no regard for his body, even at the ripe age of 36. Westbrook is known for his animated reactions—wide-eyed stares, frustrated claps, and the occasional "Are you serious?!" yelled at full volume.

Even in the latter stages of his career, his passion hasn’t faded, and neither has his tendency to bark at officials. One of Westbrook’s signature moves is the delayed protest. He’ll take a hit, miss a shot, and spend the next possession trailing the play, shaking his head and muttering under his breath.

Sometimes, he'll go straight into an official’s personal space to plead his case. It’s all part of what makes Russ who he is as a fiery competitor who refuses to accept anything less than full effort, whether from himself or the referees.

5. Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid has perfected the art of complaining, and he does it with a mix of dominance and drama. As one of the most physically imposing players in the league, he expects to get the benefit of the doubt when battling in the paint.

But when he doesn’t get a call, you’ll know it immediately. His dramatic reactions have become a staple of his game, and he’s no stranger to a sarcastic smirk after a call he doesn’t like.

The former MVP also loves to engage in back-and-forths with referees, sometimes even jogging alongside them to make his case. When Embiid is locked in, his complaints can sometimes work in his favor, drawing the kind of attention that results in more whistles. After all, Embiid has averaged at least 10 free-throw attempts five times in the last 10 seasons.

6. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant may not be the loudest complainer, but his body language says it all. His go-to move is the slow, exaggerated turn to the ref with a look of pure disbelief. He’ll shake his head, throw his arms in the air, and stare down officials as if they just personally insulted him.

KD has been in the league long enough to know how to work the refs, but that doesn’t stop him from getting visibly frustrated when calls don’t go his way. This season, Durant’s frustration has boiled over in multiple games, although that has to come down to how poorly the Phoenix Suns have performed as well.

He’s not the type to yell in a referee’s face, but his constant gesturing and muttering have earned him more technicals than usual. Despite his legendary scoring ability, he still seems genuinely shocked when he doesn’t get a whistle.

7. Devin Booker

Devin Booker has mastered the art of the “offended superstar” look every time he feels he’s been wronged by a call. Whether it’s a missed shooting foul, an uncalled push on defense, or even a simple out-of-bounds call, Booker is quick to throw his hands up and plead his case.

This season, his complaining has been even more noticeable, especially as the Suns struggle with consistency. With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal alongside him, Booker has taken on the role of the emotional leader, and part of that has meant working the refs constantly.

He’s not afraid to let his emotions spill over, and he’s had multiple instances this year where his arguing has led to technicals. When Booker feels slighted, he lets the officials, the opposing team, and 20,000 fans in the arena know.

8. Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards plays with swagger, and that swagger extends to how he interacts with referees. While he’s not quite at the historical level of some of the veterans on this list, he’s making a name for himself as one of the most vocal young stars in the NBA. After all, Edwards has an incredible 17 technical fouls called against him this season.

Edwards does complain with charisma, to be fair. He’ll shake his head, flash a sarcastic smile, and occasionally let out an exaggerated “Ain’t no way!” when a call goes against him. His confidence is off the charts, and when he feels like he’s been wronged, he lets the officials know with a mix of humor and frustration.

As the Timberwolves’ go-to scorer, he’s often in situations where he expects a whistle, and when it doesn’t come, you can see the frustration building. The good thing for him? His complaints, unlike some others on this list, often come with a smirk rather than pure rage—at least for now.

9. Trae Young

Trae Young’s relationship with referees is, to put it lightly, complicated. He built his game around drawing fouls, as he has averaged at least seven free-throw attempts in six out of his seven seasons in the NBA. But ever since the league has cracked down on unnatural shooting motions, Young has had to adjust and he’s made sure to let officials know how unhappy he is about it.

This season, Young has continued his trend of arguing nearly every time he drives to the basket. His size works against him, as he genuinely does take a lot of hits, but his reputation as a foul hunter also makes officials less sympathetic to his pleas.

The Hawks' struggles have only amplified his frustration, and there have been multiple games where Young has spent more time lobbying for calls than actually getting back on defense. Still, we can’t knock Young for his offensive talent because he is the NBA’s assist leader (11.5 APG).

10. James Harden

James Harden has spent the better part of a decade living at the free-throw line, but it seems the refs have turned on him. For years, he perfected the art of drawing fouls, using subtle arm hooks, exaggerated falls, and clever footwork to get to the line, but it hasn't worked as much in recent seasons. 

As the NBA has tightened its officiating on foul-baiting, Harden has had to deal with fewer whistles and he’s made sure to let referees know he doesn’t approve. He might have mellowed down a little bit since arriving in Los Angeles, but he isn’t much better.

Harden is a master at initiating contact and expecting the and-one, and when it doesn’t come, he often stops mid-play to glare at the referee. While he may not be as explosive in his reactions as some others, his name belongs on this list until further notice.