Most Passionate NBA Players of All Time

The Top Ten

1 Kevin Garnett Kevin Garnett Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association.

You can rest assured that almost everyone outside of Boston hates Kevin Garnett. Right or wrong, they hate the antics, the yelling, the trash talking and the pounding of the chest like he's been cast in an R. Kelly video.
Still, you can't find a soul who doubts his work ethic and his unwavering passion for the game. It takes a passionate player to bust his behind, night in and night out

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2 Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant is an American retired professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA championships with the Lakers and is the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history.

You don't have to like Bryant, but you have to respect his passion for the game and his will to win. He's never satisfied and he's always looking to get better.

3 Joakim Noah Joakim Noah Joakim Simon Noah is a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association.

He's a beast
I love to watch him play

4 Steve Nash Steve Nash Stephen John Nash, is a Canadian retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association.

His character on and off the court have been a shining example to the rest of the Suns in how they should conduct themselves.

He tries his best to win every game - 2storm

5 LeBron James LeBron James LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers.

LeBron wants to win. When he plays you can the burning fire in his eyes. He goes out on the court and gives it his all every game, every play, every day. He's amazing! #Bronnie

Just watch him in his eyes - 2storm

The man hates losing

6 Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player.

I love how Serge Ibaka is on this but nobody put MJ. His will to win is one of the greatest in any sport

MJ and Kobe are hands down the most passionate men to ever pick up a basketball. Lebron James, Blake Griffin above him?! SMH

7 Blake Griffin Blake Griffin Blake Austin Griffin is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association.
8 Jerry West Jerry West Jerry Alan West is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.

Jerry West was a player who lived and breathed basketball. He dove after every loose ball, played through multiple injuries and repeatedly drove into the paint in the super-physical '60s. If that's not passionate basketball, I don't know what is. - bishop.moore07

There is nobody in today's NBA who can equal his passion for the game.

The beast jerry west is a dominate shooter (years ago)

He "IS" the NBA logo for gosh sakes!

9 Allen Iverson Allen Iverson Allen Ezail Iverson is an American retired professional basketball player who played for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association.
10 Larry Bird Larry Bird Larry Joe Bird is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Bird is a 3x champ, 1x ROTY, 1x Finals MVP, 3x 3PT Contest winner, all with the Boston Celtics. (1979-1992)

The Contenders

11 Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association.

By far the most ruthless player in the NBA today. Applauded by many of the greats in this category, such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, for his ferocity and tenacity. This walking triple-double machine is a force to be reckoned with.

12 Serge Ibaka Serge Ibaka

From bench guy to vital part of the team has happened quickly and it's been due to a combination of talent and his relentless passion to get better.

13 Luis Scola

Luis Scola plays with a motor that just won't quit. His raw determination to be the best has come from the fact that he's never been able to just dominate his opponent.

14 Dennis Rodman Dennis Rodman Dennis Keith Rodman is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association.

This guy cried just for receiving the DPOY. Not even the MVP... The DPOY...

15 Kevin Love Kevin Love Kevin Wesley Love is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association.
16 Dwyane Wade Dwyane Wade Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.

Dwyane Wade wants to win. There is no question of that. It takes a player passionate about success to give up the spotlight to a player that is better than him.

17 Paul Pierce Paul Pierce Paul Anthony Pierce is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association.
18 Kevin Durant Kevin Durant Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. He was MVP of the 2017 NBA Finals.

Just a guy who never gives up

19 Draymond Green Draymond Green Draymond Jamal Green Sr. is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association.

He me get angry sometimes but that's passion

20 Chris Paul Chris Paul Christopher Emmanuel Paul is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association.
21 Gary Payton Gary Payton
22 Wilt Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player . He was born on August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia and died on October 12, 1999 in Los Angeles due to heart failure . ...read more.
23 Stephen Curry Stephen Curry Wardell Stephen Curry II is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. Many players and analysts have called him the greatest shooter in NBA history. He is one of the most beloved, as well as hated, stars in the NBA today.
24 Joel Embiid Joel Embiid
25 DeMarcus Cousins DeMarcus Cousins DeMarcus Amir Cousins is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association.
26 Steven Adams Steven Adams
27 Giannis Antetokounmpo Giannis Antetokounmpo Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association.
28 Victor Oladipo Victor Oladipo
29 JaVale McGee JaVale McGee
30 Manu Ginóbili Manu Ginóbili
31 James Harden James Harden James Edward Harden, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association.
32 Joe Ingles Joe Ingles
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