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10 Most Hated NBA Players in 2023

most hated nba players

Everyone has a list of their most hated NBA players. They’re players that infuriate us, players that we just love to hate.

Most Hated NBA Players

NBA players become hated for reasons such as their personality, a lack of sportsmanship, because of political views or just because. So who are the most hated NBA players? 

10. Chris Paul

Future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is one of the most hated NBA players because of his dirty plays, and his shady tricks and scheming to get calls from referees. He knows just how to frustrate opposition fans with his style of play, his on-court antics and all with a cockiness to it.

It probably helped Paul’s cause that he was NBPA president for eight years before CJ McCollum was elected. He remains one of the best NBA players right now but is a point guard that many people love to hate.  

9. Joel Embiid

For everyone who isn’t a Philadelphia 76ers fan, you’ll agree that everyone loves to hate Joel Embiid. There’s no doubt the Sixers big man has exceptional ability, but he’s also known to be a troll.

There’s the history of trash talk between he and Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as his trolling of fellow big man Andre Drummond. He’ll take any opportunity to rile up the opposition which is why he’s one of the most hated NBA players.

8. Grayson Allen

Another of the most hated NBA players is Grayson Allen. His dirty antics on the court goes back to his college days at Duke. Allen has a particular history and a habit of tripping players, and he’s been ejected from games because of flagrant fouls.

In early 2022 he pulled Chicago’s Alex Caruso down whilst in mid-air which resulted in Caruso fracturing his wrist. Allen also plays the hated role very well with an ability to troll over Twitter too. 

7. Russell Westbrook

The twilight of Russell Westbrook’s career – particularly in LA – hasn’t gone according to plan. He’s been a shadow of his former self much to the frustration of fans. Many lifelong fans have turned on him and the legacy of the former “triple-double god” has somewhat been tarnished.

Known as “Westbrick” by the haters, he’s still got a loyal legion of fans. His performances in his prime in Oklahoma shouldn’t be forgotten, and he shouldn’t be taken for granted.

6. James Harden

James Harden is one of the most hated NBA players largely because of his controversial trade from Houston to Brooklyn in early 2021. It’s thought that he intentionally became so unfit and gained so much weight that the Rockets had no choice but to trade him.

His time in Brooklyn earned him even more haters, earning himself a trade to the 76ers after disappointing performances. Has he changed his ways? His time in Philadelphia may have changed him for the better.

5. Kevin Durant

In 2016, Kevin Durant became one of the most hated NBA players when he left the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors – already considered to be one of, if not, the best teams in the league at the time.

Durant didn’t help to shake the “glory hunter” tag in 2019 when he joined the Brooklyn Nets to join a super team alongside Kyrie Irving. After failing to mount a serious title challenge with the Nets, he then demanded a trade away from Brooklyn in 2022. 

4. Kyrie Irving

The hate for Kyrie Irving first started after he demanded a trade away from LeBron and Cleveland. In 2017 he’d eventually move to Boston reportedly because he didn’t like that LeBron was the focal point of the team. After an ugly postseason loss to the Bucks in 2019 he would move on to Brooklyn. 

Irving solidified his spot as one of the most hated NBA players with his personal decision not to get vaccinated, and for posting a link to an antisemitic film and failing to apologise, which prompted the Nets to suspend him.  

3. Draymond Green

Draymond Green is known for his trash talk, an art he’s attributed to growing up in Saginaw, Michigan. There’s no doubting that he’s one of the best at trash talking and he’s made no secret of crafting his art over time. Not only is he a master of it on the court, he’s also good at trolling on social media.

More recently, Green was caught on camera punching Warriors teammate Jordan Poole at practice, helping Green climb up the ranks of the most hated NBA players.

2. Patrick Beverley

Patrick Beverley is the type of player you’d love to be teammates with. If you’re an opposition player or a fan, he’s one of the most hated NBA players. A defensive irritation is putting it lightly for Beverley, and his “in your face” approach gets on the wrong side of opposition players. The thing is, Beverley is a top defender and he’ll make opposition players know of it with trash talk and taunts.

Beverley thrives on getting under peoples skin and it’s a reason why his biggest beef is with two other players on this list – Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.  He also has a habit of sneak attacks which fans see as cowardly. 

1. Ben Simmons

Just the hate alone from Philadelphia fans is enough to earn Ben Simmons the title of the most hated player in the NBA. Simmons is actually a very well rounded player, but has battled through crippling criticism his entire career for lacking a jump shot.

Frustrations came to a head with Philadelphia’s unceremonious exit during the 2021 playoffs. His free throw shooting was so woeful, he was scared to shoot at the risk of getting fouled and passed up on an opportunity at a crucial open shot which they ultimately lost.

You’ve got to see the reaction of Philadelphia fans whenever they see Ben Simmons just to see how deep the hate is.  

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

One response to “10 Most Hated NBA Players in 2023”

  1. Christien Avatar
    Christien

    list is for NBA casuals. Feels very surface level

    Reply

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