Top 10 Worst People Who Played in the NBA
Throughout the long history of basketball, there have been many large characters who draw a lot of attention. Unfortunately, some of these superstars are not the best people off the court.
Some are even criminals (e.g., Javaris Crittenton), or those who got away with their crimes (e.g., Karl Malone).
Who among these individuals is the worst?
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Karl Malone
Karl Anthony Malone is an American retired professional basketball player. Nicknamed "The Mailman," Malone played power forward and spent his first 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Utah Jazz. He formed a formidable duo with teammate John Stockton, and together they became one... read more
This person impregnated a 12-year-old when he was 20 and never faced any punishment for it. Malone also refused to acknowledge his child's existence and did not pay any child support, even though he was a rich NBA star and the girl was from a poor family. He is easily the worst person to be in the NBA, and it's crazy how the league acts like nothing happened.
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Tom Payne
Payne was convicted of rape in 1972 and 1983 for three separate incidents that led to him serving 44 years behind bars.
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Dennis Rodman
Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American professional basketball player. He played for several NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks.
Rodman was renowned for his rebounding ability and defensive prowess. He won five... read more
Rodman is definitely one of the craziest NBA players ever. He has struggled with alcohol since his playing days, being arrested multiple times for DUI and Public Intoxication. He has also been charged with sexual assault, regular assault, domestic abuse, hit-and-run, and battery.
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Ruben Patterson
Patterson pleaded guilty in 2001 to the attempted rape of his child's nanny and was put on the sex offender list because of this. Patterson was also convicted of assault, was arrested for domestic abuse, was arrested for DUI, and refused to pay over $100,000 in child support.
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Javaris Crittenton
On August 19, 2011, Crittenton fatally shot 22-year-old mother of four, Jullian Jones, allegedly mistaking her for someone else. He was also a member of the Crips and a cocaine dealer. He would serve 10 years behind bars.
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Metta Sandiford-Artest
Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Ron Artest and Metta World Peace, was known as one of the dirtiest players in NBA history, both on and off the court. He is most known for the Malice at the Palace incident, during which he assaulted fans at a Pacers vs Pistons game and was suspended for the remainder of the season. Artest was also arrested for a domestic violence incident and was found guilty of neglecting his Great Dane.
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Jason Richardson
The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion was arrested for a domestic abuse incident involving his girlfriend, during which he shoved her so hard into a wall that the wall broke while their 3-year-old daughter was present.
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Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers and retired in 2016 as the franchise's all-time leading scorer.... read more
The NBA legend had a major controversy in 2003, in which he was found to have slept with a 19-year-old hotel worker in Colorado. The woman was under the influence and could not consent, although the charges were dropped. This incident, despite the evidence, would largely be forgotten. He would almost certainly be behind bars if he weren't a famous NBA star.
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Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson, born June 7, 1975, is an American former professional basketball player. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and is widely considered one of the greatest point guards... read more
Iverson had multiple weapon charges throughout his career, abused drugs, was accused of domestic disturbances, and was kicked out of two casinos for cheating.
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Rajon Rondo
Rajon Pierre Rondo is an American former professional basketball player who last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season. He won two NBA championships, one with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and another with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Rondo announced his retirement on April 2, 2024, after a career... read more
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Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, he made six NBA Finals appearances. Jordan won the NBA championship each time.
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Ben McLemore
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Eric Bledsoe
Bledsoe was arrested for domestic violence and was released from the Clippers for it.
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Josh Giddey
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LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. He has won four NBA championships.
"'Ain't no party like a Diddy party' - LeBron James, 2020."
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Jalen Green
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Miles Bridges
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Ben Simmons
Benjamin David Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player who last played for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association. He was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft. Simmons has earned three All-Star selections and won the NBA Rookie... read more
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Kevin Porter Jr.
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Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd, born March 23, 1973, in San Francisco, is an American basketball coach and former NBA player. He served as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, and he became head coach of the Dallas Mavericks in 2021. Kidd led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024.