Smush Parker
During the course of Smush Parker’s five-year career in the NBA, he made a few friends – but he also made himself some enemies. Kobe called Bryant out, saying that, “he’s the worst,” and that he should’ve never been in the NBA. But why the beef? While they played together for the Lakers, Bryant would ignore Kobe intentionally, and not pass him the ball when he clearly should have. Which is something that he admitted to during the infamous fight?
He was also reportedly “the worst” with people off of the court, too. Back in 2007, a female valet attendant where he apparently grabbed her arm when she couldn’t immediately find his ticket. He was deactivated from a game against the Bobcats following the report.
Ron Artest
During Artest’s stint with the NBA, which saw him play on six different teams, he was involved in several issues on the court. Of course, he was also an award-winning player, taking home the 2004 NBA award for Defensive Player of the Year, along with an All-Star title and All-NBA honors. But we’re here because of the way Artest acted during some of his appearances.
Most notably, there was the Pacers-Pistons brawl, which has also been dubbed, Malice at the Palace. During the incident, Artest fouled Pistons center Ben Wallace, which spurred a massive fight on the court between players. The entire stadium was basically in chaos. Nine players were suspended, including Artest, who missed out on a record 86 games – the longest suspension in the history of the league.
Ricky Davis
Well, people make mistakes, and professional basketball players are still just people, both on and off the court. Right? Though, would you count intentionally missing a shot as a mistake, or as a royal screw-up? In 2003, Davis made his most memorable move in the league (and not in a good way) when he failed a triple-double and got knocked down by an angry DeShawn Stevenson.
After the incident, many called for the Cavaliers to suspend him for his actions. Instead, they fined him (without disclosing exactly how much,) for his unsportsmanlike conduct. Ten years later, people were still writing about it. It’s made several lists of the worst moves in NBA history.
Steve Francis
Unlike a couple of former NBA stars on our list so far, Steve Francis had a promising career ahead of him. Straight out of college, he was drafted as the number two pick by the Grizzlies. He basically threw a tantrum until he was traded elsewhere – to Houston.
After his career in pro basketball was over, he had some legal issues hit around 2016, as the result of his stepfather’s suicide. He also had a few injuries that hindered his career. Though he will still forever be known as one of the best point guards in the NBA, despite his attitude.
Kobe Bryant
In a shock and horrible loss to the basketball world and those who knew him, Kobe Bryant died as the result of a helicopter accident. The vehicle was carrying him, along with seven other people, to a youth basketball tournament when it crashed into a hillside killing everyone on board. Bryant was no doubt one of the best – if not the best – basketball players in NBA history.
However, working with him was no easy feat, according to former teammates and others who encountered him throughout his career. There was of course the entire debacle with Smush Parker, but that wasn’t nearly all. Who could forget the infamous (and lasting) feud with Shaquille O’Neal?