The 20 greatest trash talkers in NBA history

The three-time MVP and Celtics legend could walk the walk, but he also made sure to talk the talk. Perhaps the most famous example was in the locker room at the 1986 three-point contest. Walking into the room, he took a look at everybody and asked them who would be coming in second place.

In addition to being the GOAT, MJ was one of the all-time best at getting in opponents' heads. He had a philosophy behind it, too, having once said, "Let’s see if all that trash-talking starts when it’s 0-0 instead of a 5, 6-point lead. That’s where it starts. That’s a sign of a good man if he can talk sh*t when it’s an even score or talk sh*t when you’re behind.”

A lot of NBA players are friendly with each other on the court, but Kevin Garnett wasn't. His intensity never wavered and that was true of not being buddy-buddy with opponents.

"The Glove" was always up in people's airspace with his tight defense, and that extended to their headspace, too. He wasn't just having fun talking smack, either, as there was a strategy to it: Payton once said, "I just try to talk and get their mind off the game and turn their attention on me."

Part of the "Mamba Mentality," aside from putting in a level of effort and preparation that others aren't willing or able to, is being relentlessly competitive. Talking trash was a big part of that for Kobe. He didn't let language barriers stop him, either, as he even learned to talk smack in multiple languages so as not to leave his international opponents out.

Miller was a sniper from three, but his vocal barbs were dangerous, too. His most famous call-out, though, was silent: In the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, he punctuated a lights-out performance by directing a choke gesture at Spike Lee.

Barkley has been one of sports' most entertaining personalities since the end of his playing career. Back when he was putting on the shorts, though, he had bars. One of his best lines came when teasing his teammate AC Green: "If God's so great, how come he didn't give you a better jump shot?"

Draymond is a supreme chatterbox, and that's because it's in his blood. He once said that his mother had long been yelling from the stands about how much the people on the court suck. He has never shied away from expressing himself on the court, as the mountain of technicals he has amassed shows.

Rasheed is one of the most decorated players in NBA history in terms of technical fouls and ejections. This was largely due to the things he had to say on the court, whether it was to opponents or referees. His iconic "ball don't lie" line has become a part of the sport's lore.

Throughout his 12 years in the league, Beverley was a tough defender and an even tougher yapper. It worked to his advantage, as he used his mouth to get into his opponents' heads. It's all part of what helped him be one of the NBA's best defensive players of the 2010s.

Iverson was one of the league's shortest stars at an even six feet tall, but his vocal barbs matched the intensity of his game. Famously, during the 2001 Finals, he and Kobe talked so much trash that Derek Fisher stepped in to separate them. Iverson's confident attitude was part of what made him great.

Go on YouTube and you can find a 16-minute video compilation of Jimmy Butler's trash-talk moments. That's a lot of smack, and Jimmy can back it up, too. He has a history of coming up big in important moments, and there are usually some complementary words that come with the clutch performances.

A moment that Celtics fans of a certain age will never forget was centered on Pierce's trash talk. In a 2003 playoff series against the Pacers, with the clock running down, Piece dribbled at midcourt with Al Harrington guarding him. While the play was live, the two talked back and forth, and then Piece proceeded to hit a three right in his face.

O'Neal wasn't just one of the most physically imposing players of all time, but he could talk, too. Sometimes, he even crossed the line, as seen in his controversial statement about Chinese center Yao Ming, for which he later apologized. Regardless, whether on the court or in interviews, Shaq always entertained.

On the court, Embiid does everything from mocking defenders to waving goodbye to opposing fans. He doesn't just talk trash on the court or in interview, but online, too. In a social media post, for example, he wrote of Andre Drummond, "I own a lot of real estate in [Drummond's head and I’m on my way to build more."

It doesn't matter who you are: Metta will talk trash to you. That extends to his own teammates. Once, he talked too much trash to his Lakers comrade Kobe Bryant in a practice that Phil Jackson had to step in.

MJ wasn't the only '90s Bulls star who chirped. In fact, he has one of the single best lines ever. Facing the Jazz in the playoffs with Karl Malone (aka "The Mailman") at the line, Pippen whispered in his ear, "The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays."

It wasn't so much what Dikembe said, but what he did. In the '90s, there was no physical taunt more famous than Mutombo's finger wave after getting a block. Pair that with a "not in my house" or something to that effect, and you have a devastating diss.

Rodman was a disruptor in every possible sense, whether through physicality or what he had to say. Though long retired, he's still talking trash today. In 2023, he said of former opponent Larry Bird, "If Larry Bird played in this era, I think he'd be in Europe."

More so than getting verbal, Stephenson was irritated with his antics. Fans will never forget the time he blew in LeBron James' ear during a game. He was simply unpredictable, which had an impact on the opposition.