Who is the most hated player in the NBA? The first players to come to mind are LeBron James and Joel Embiid. To be a hated player, you probably meet one of these criteria. You're probably really good at what you do. Maybe you've taken your crap talk too far. Worse yet, you may have grown or taken part in a fight. If you grab attention, you're going to get some sort of response, no matter what.
There have always been opponents in sports. From Isiah Thomas to the Chicago Bulls to Larry Bird with the Lakers, a fan's hatred can run on many different levels. Either way, that hatred can run deep within a fan base and fans have no problem telling you how they feel at games.
As we count down towards the end of the 2021-2022 season, these are the players that fans of each franchise hate the most.
Atlanta Hawks - Joel Embido
The Philadelphia 76ers and Hawks met in the second round of last season's playoffs. With the 76ers in the 2–1 series, both sides were going back and forth in a crucial Game 4, with the 76ers leading 77–75. After a no-call under the basket, Embiid could be caught speaking trash to the Hawks fanbase. After that, it led to additional ammunition for the Hawks crowd, which helped the team eventually close Philly and make it to the conference finals.
Boston Celtics - LeBron James
It starts when Paul Peace spits in the direction of the Cavaliers bench. This sparked a protracted rivalry that spanned since James played for the Cavaliers and the Heat. Due to fans' loyalty to Pierce, it helped garner a lot of hate. It also didn't help that James defeated the Celtics in the conference finals to make the 2012 NBA Finals.
Brooklyn Nets - James Harden
The Nets traded the bank to land James Harden. The idea was that Harden was going to play alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to lead the team to the NBA Championship. Instead, the relationship didn't last a full season and they traded her for Ben Simmons. Harden cost the Nets four first-round picks and four pick swaps and has only made a second-round appearance from last year.
Charlotte Hornets - LeBron James
It doesn't help when Michael Jordan is the team owner. The constant comparisons of James to Jordan tend to get old, which is why some believe that James absolutely hates Jordan. Because James doesn't like Jordan, it's enough to make him feel sent back instead. Also, James crushes the Hornets every time he plays against them. It seems like there are only a few teams he shows no mercy and the Hornets are one of those teams.
Chicago Bulls - Grayson Allen
The most hated person in Chicago used to be LeBron James who gave this team frequent chances to make it to the NBA Finals. Then, Grayson Allen tells James to hold his beer and hit Alex Caruso unnecessarily tough on a night when the Bucks & Bulls played a regular season game this year. The foul left Caruso with a broken wrist that required two months of recovery time. The next time these two teams play, the Bucks will need protection for the Allen.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Drummond Green
The All-Star Game was a perfect example of how Cleveland feels about Drummond Green. While Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant were the main catalysts in the 3-1 Finals lead over four seasons, it was Greene who was the tough, physical and open-voiced player who led some fans and players the wrong way. For this he was welcomed with many boons. When you beat the Cavaliers three times in the NBA Finals, the city won't have much love for you.
Dallas Mavericks - Marcus Morris
The Mavericks were defeated by the Clippers in back-to-back playoffs. This is a part of it. In 2020, Morris and Luka Doncic got into a heated scuffle in the first quarter of Game 6. Morris committed a hard foul that sent Doncic to the ground and he had to hold back. Haven't forgotten Morris once said that the Clippers beat the Mavericks all the time. The fight is still very much alive today.
Denver Nuggets - Markiefe Morris
Sometimes, our emotions get the best of us. Markif Morris, known to be a tougher and more physical player in the league, gave Jokic a hard hit on the shoulder. The game practically ended with Denver leading 111–94 with three minutes to play. The vengeance that Jokic gave him was top notch, but fans defending their MVP in Denver will be quick to point out that Morris should not have fouled him at this stage of the game.
Detroit Pistons - Joel Embido
When Andre Drummond played for the Pistons, former All-Star Drummond used to be a major beef with each other. Outside of trash talking, Drummond was once kicked out of the game. Embiid flopped super hard and Drummond was called out for a technical foul. Embiid then got up and taunted the crowd as Drummond was ruled out of close play.
Golden State Warriors - LeBron James
This mainly has to do with the developed rivalry between the Warriors and Cavaliers from 2015 to 2018. The two teams met each season in the NBA Finals during this time. The real heartbreak was for Golden State when LeBron led the Cavaliers to a 3–1 deficit in the finals to take the 2016 championship, which in the same season the Warriors set an NBA record for wins in a single season with 73.
Houston Rockets - Steph Curry
From 2015 to 2019, the Rockets had some of their most successful runs since the days of Hakeem Olajuwon. James Harden tried to lead the team to the NBA Finals and was close, but he came in short of Steph Curry three separate times. In 2015 and 2018, the Warriors eliminated the Rockets in the Conference Finals. Even today, Curry lights up the rockets and reminds them how great he is.
Indiana Pacers - LeBron James
LeBron James was hated when he was with Miami, but no one disliked him more than the people of Indiana. James led the Heat over the Pacers to conference finals in 2013 and 2014. Then, he joined the Cavaliers and dominated the Pacers for the next four years. Overall, the way to the final was through James and he never let Indy go. A few months ago, LeBron James asked the referee to kick fans of the Pacers out after making gestures and saying words that have no place in the game.
Los Angeles Clippers - Luka Doncic
Doncic is seen just getting up every time he plays the Clippers. Recently, he scored a career-high 51 points against the team. Both the teams have faced each other in the playoffs. The Clippers have defeated the Mavericks both times, but Doncic is always fighting the Mavericks. Between being great and animated, when the Clippers are on schedule, Doncic has a target on his back.
Los Angeles Lakers - Isaiah Stewart
While lining up at the free-throw line, LeBron James and Stewart were at each other's side. Missing, James hit Stewart in the face with an elbow, causing Stewart to fall to the ground. Stewart confronted James, which led to a massive controversy. For fans in Los Angeles, they're going to be up for their superstars.
Memphis Grizzlies - Andre Iguodala
A few years ago, the Grizzlies acquired Iguodala in a trade, but was under the impression that it would be traded or bought. The Grizzlies were considered a rebuilding team and Iguodala did not want to be part of where he is in his career. Eventually, he was replaced in the Heat, but not before players voiced their decision to do what was best for their careers and not the team.
Miami Heat - Nicola Jokey
Markif Morris's hard foul was probably unnecessary, but Jokic's indiscriminate blow to Morris was completely unfair. This could have seriously injured Morris and was an act of direct brute force. The controversy escalated so much that Jokic's family got involved. Overall, don't expect the Heat to welcome Jokic with open arms throughout his career.
Milwaukee Bucks - James Harden
At the end of the 2018–2019 season, the MVP trophy was awarded to Giannis Antetokounmpo. There was one member in the league who was not happy with this assessment and that was James Harden. He believed that he cast mythological numbers and that the MVP belonged to him. Considering how beloved Giannis is in Milwaukee, it's not surprising to see how everyone turned on Harden when he said these words.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Jimmy Butler
The Timberwolves acquired Jimmy Butler from the Bulls as they believed he could be a perfect addition to Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. After a playoff appearance, he was done with the organization, called for a trade, and held a heated practice where he told the players they couldn't win without him. He is then traded to the 76ers and the team is scrambling to put the pieces back together.
New Orleans Pelicans - Anthony Davis
Davis was the No. 1 overall pick by the franchise in 2012. He was considered the player the team had made to take him into contention. Instead, the team once made the second round, and Davis decided he was tired of wasting his prime season to show up in the playoffs. He sought a trade, was sent to the Lakers and won a championship in his first year. Between the jealousy and heartbreak, Nola's fans will have a hard time loving her when she is back.
New York Knicks - Trey Young
Young didn't always hate the Knicks. It all started after the season. The two teams faced each other in the first round of the playoffs. In Game 1, Young hit a game-winning shot and put a finger to his mouth to silence the crowd. It was just one of many antics that disappointed fans at Madison Square Garden. He put the Cherries on top by eliminating the Knicks and taking the Hawks to the conference finals.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Patrick Beverly
When Kevin Durant left the Thunder, Russell Westbrook was everything to this franchise. When an opposing player looks like he's trying to hurt him, everyone is ready to throw the kitchen sink at him. Westbrook and Beverly's rivalry goes a long way from a trash talk standpoint, but it seems to have gone to Westbrook's knees on two occasions. One of those times forced Westbrook to lose time due to injury.
Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard is closing in on a decade playing with the Orlando Magic, the team he led to the NBA Finals in 2009. Howard was the best center of the game during his prime in Orlando, but he was tired of coming down short and wanted out of the smaller market for Los Angeles. Jadoo fans haven't forgotten how he forced his way out and still greets him when he walks into the courtroom.
Philadelphia 76ers - Ben Simmons
As easy as it gets. Simmons refused to play for the team, resulting in a loss of money for the contributing player. This puts stress on the team, players and fans. A lot of fans don't like how Simmons has handled the process despite claims about his mental health. When Simmons was finally traded, fans weren't bothered about it at all.
Phoenix Suns - Patrick Beverly
The Western Conference Finals is about as intense as it gets out of the NBA Finals. The Clippers, without Kawhi Leonard, are fighting for their lives against the Phoenix Suns. Patrick Beverly is already an intense trash talker. When Chris Paul looked like a flop, he had to imitate it, which caught the attention of a lot of fans, who resented him ever since, especially when Paul lay on the court.
Portland Trail Blazers - Russell Westbrook
When you have two stars facing each other, it makes for great basketball. With all that drama, comes the garbage thing. When you can see a player go after his star, you have to defend him, right? That's how you can categorize this hatred of Portland fans for Westbrook. The competition between Westbrook and Damien Lillard was often caught on camera, so if fans had to choose, they're going to be here to support Lillard.
Sacramento Kings - LeBron James
For the same reasons as the Hornets, LeBron has bullied the Kings over the years. The king may take some of the blame on himself, but because of his greatness, it comes with a bit of a baggage. That stuff is a feeling of jealousy and resentment whenever he can lead his team to victory over the Kings.
San Antonio Spurs - Kawhi Leonard
Leonard helped the Spurs defeat the Miami Heat jugglers in 2014, even winning the finals MVP. He almost took the Spurs back to the NBA Finals on his own, but an injury prevented him from playing against the Warriors in 2017. This broke ties with the team and led to his eventual departure via a trade for the Raptors. Fans weren't happy with how it was handled, especially with the way Leonard acted. So when he returned he was greeted with blessings.
Toronto Raptors - LeBron James
When Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan played together in Toronto, they helped take the franchise to new heights they had never seen before. 1 seed during the 2017-2018 season. A year before that, he finished a game behind the Cavaliers. In both seasons, LeBron James led the Cavs to a series victory in the playoffs over the Raptors, crushing their hopes of making the NBA Finals.
Utah Jazz - Paul George
The nickname "Playoff P" has unfairly troubled some people. Notably, jazz is not a fan. In the playoffs last year, George was bearing the brunt of the ruthless talk from the crowd, which was called "overrated". After the game, George thought it was funny, and he eventually led the Clippers to victory over the Jazz in the second round.
Washington Wizards - Kelly Olenik
Some fans may complain, even though it's been almost five years. In the 2017 playoffs, a back-and-forth between Kelly Aubrey Jr. and Kelly Olinic ended in a fight between the two players. This resulted in Aubrey's rejection. Wizards fans haven't forgotten about that night and still have a disdain for Olinik, albeit a long one.