DeShawn Stevenson
This former NBA star has seen his fair share of negative media attention. Though, aside from all of his turmoil off of the court, he also had a tendency to create some as he played, too. And, perhaps the fact that he became the youngest player in history, at just age 19, to start for the Jazz, made him a little cocky.
In the midst of the 2008 playoff game between the Cavaliers and the Wizards, Stevenson took the opportunity to call James out, saying that he was “overrated.” The feud between the two men seemed to go on forever, involving other celebrities and taking over social media, etc. But in 2018, Stevenson announced that he regretted the whole thing.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan may be known as one of the greatest NBA players of all time. But just because he had a beautiful fadeaway and stellar jump shot, doesn’t mean he made the best teammate. In fact, over the lengthy course of his career, there were plenty of reports from those who encountered him about how he could be a bit…rude.
His teammate from the Chicago Bulls, Will Perdue, said that he still had a ton of appreciation for him, and he could see why he had the attitude. “He crossed the line numerous times, but he was a hell of a teammate. He pushed us all to be better because he wanted us to win. And it worked.”
Micheal Ray Richardson
If you remember the 1980s, you may be aware of Richardson’s ban from the NBA, which resulted from his use of drugs. In 1986, the player failed his third drug test, which proved he’d been using illicit substances. He was actually the first person in the history of the NBA to have been banned, setting an example for the rest of the players. It’s too bad, too, considering how talented he was on the court.
A few years later, he returned to play in the NBA once again. However, a few more failed drug-tests resulted in his then permanent ban. During his time with the Knicks, he was quoted as saying, “the ship be sinkin’,” which very well could’ve been applied to his own career in professional basketball. Luckily, he’s turned his life around, and he now leads youth basketball camps all over the country with his former teammate, Otis Birdsong.
Delonte West
Delonte West has had some…interesting times arise since he got his start with the NBA. In 2009, he was arrested near his home in Maryland after being pulled over and caught with a guitar case full of mini artillery. Inside the case hid two handguns and a shotgun. Maybe West was moonlighting as an assassin?
West can take comfort in the fact that all of the current media about him is basically just about how he’s pretty much jobless now.
Jim Jackson
This Fox Sports 1 analyst spent 14 seasons with the NBA. His career with the league took him to the court for 12 different teams. One of those teams happened to be the Dallas Mavericks, on which he played through the ‘90s. During his time in Dallas, in 1996, the rumor mill started to turn and ended up creating a bit of (supposed) beef between Jackson and teammate, Jason Kidd.
When asked about the incident themselves, everyone involved in the rumor said it was just that – a rumor, and there was no truth behind it.