Heroes or Villains? Unraveling the 50 Most-Despised Basketball Players
Basketball is full of passion and emotion. Still, sometimes that passion can turn into hatred toward certain figures in the game. Whether it’s a coach who always seems to win, a player with a bad attitude, or a media member who rubs people the wrong way, the list of most-hated figures in basketball history is long.
The top 60 individuals who have been a target of intense animosity and hostility from fans. From notorious coaches and players to controversial media personalities, these are the people who have brought the heat and earned the ire of basketball fans everywhere. So, buckle up and get ready to relive some of basketball history’s most heated rivalries and controversial moments.
71. Greg Oden
Greg Oden played for Ohio State and is among the Most-Hated Figures in US College Basketball History. While it’s unclear whether ESPN’s Bill Simmons harbors hatred towards him, he certainly has expressed disappointment.
Oden’s on-court performance has been regularly described as “overrated” and “unimpressive” since he first arrived on campus in 2006. Despite this, he rode the “hype train” throughout his one year at Ohio State and his four-year run in the association, which was restricted by injuries.
70. Phil Ford
Phil Ford, who played for North Carolina, is included in the list of Most-Hated Figures in US College Basketball History. Despite having great success as the point guard at UNC from 1974-78, where he was a two-time consensus All-American and won multiple national ‘Player of the Year’ awards during his senior season, he is still considered one of the most irritating floor generals of all time.
This is because Dean Smith, his coach, employed Ford to run the “villainous” “Four Corners” offense, where four players stand in the corners of the offensive half-court while the fifth dribbles the ball in the middle.
69. Ben Simmons
Over the last three seasons, Ben Simmons has given fans plenty of reasons to harbor ill feelings toward him. Philadelphia fans harbor resentment for Simmons, not only because of his on-court performance but also due to the way he maneuvered to leave the city. Known not to be a high-scoring player, Simmons’s reluctance to take open jump shots is practically a basketball sacrilege. His timid playing style cost the Sixers a place in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but what followed this incident was perhaps even more unforgettable.
Following intense criticism from the media, fans, and even his teammates and coaches, Simmons demanded a trade away from Philadelphia, thereby inciting further animosity from the Philly devotees. Just when it seemed like things might improve, Simmons appeared at practice with his phone in hand and pocket, refusing to partake in several drills. This behavior resulted in his ejection from practice and eventual trade to Brooklyn later that season. While his move to Brooklyn has somewhat pacified the situation, the animosity towards him remains palpable globally due to his actions.
68. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Lew Alcindor, who played for UCLA, is featured in the list of Most-Hated Figures in US College Basketball History. His game was so disliked that the NCAA changed the rules to stop him. In March 1967, just two days after Alcindor, who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, led UCLA to the NCAA championship, the NCAA outlawed dunks.
Interestingly, dunks were not allowed again until after the Bruins had won seven more titles, indicating the impact that Alcindor had on the game of basketball.