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Not every team sport athlete is a great teammate. Over the years, certain NBA players have become known for being notoriously difficult to work with. Whether it’s due to their style of play, or their antics either on or off the court, these players have lived on in infamy for their particular transgressions. Here are 25 NBA stars who were the worst teammates:
O.J. Mayo
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With Mayo, it proved to be a lack of dependability on and off the court that did him in. He averaged nearly 14 points in eight NBA seasons with three teams, but was a streaky shooter who never found a consistent rhythm. Off the court, Mayo’s selfishness did not always sit well with his teammates. Neither did an apparent gambling debt with former Memphis teammate Tony Allen. Mayo was also suspended 10 games following a positive drug test at one point during his NBA tenure.
Javaris Crittenton
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The first part of our Washington Wizards two-fer is Crittenton. First off, Crittenton was barely a noticeable NBA player even after being selected with the 19th overall pick in 2007. He averaged just 5.3 points while playing for three teams over two seasons. Of course, he’s best known for the locker-room gun draw with Gilbert Arenas in Washington. Allegedly, Arenas refused to pay off a gambling debt to Crittenton and each pulled a gun on the other.
Gilbert Arenas
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Thankfully, Arenas’ locker-room duel with Crittenton did not result in any shots fired. However, Arenas’ reported neglect to pay off a debt and the fact that he had a gun in the locker room doesn’t endear him to anybody. There was also the reported case of Arenas defecating in teammate Andray Blatche’s shoes. Who does that? Though Arenas has insisted that Blatche deserved what he got. Keep in mind, Arenas averaged 20.7 points during his 11-year career. But, this is the stuff he’s remembered for most.
Rafer Alston
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The point guard had a rather strange NBA career. After beginning his run as a reserve with Milwaukee, Toronto, and Miami, Alston returned to the Raptors in 2004-05 and became a starter. His best years followed with Houston, but that’s when things started to go south. Alston got in some trouble with alcohol off the court and became less dependable as time went on. During the 2009-10 season, his last in the NBA, he landed back with the Heat. After struggling as a starter, it was reported he was to be benched. Alston didn’t agree with the move and never returned to the team, eventually being suspended by the franchise.
Rajon Rondo
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It seems everywhere Rondo goes he has problems. He played for nine franchises over 16 NBA seasons. As Rondo got older, his ego grew bigger. He’s had trouble with coaches, front office folks, and even berated game officials. He’s dealt with injuries that critics have claimed he could have played through. Perhaps worse, Rondo started going through the motions from season to season. The savvy point guard won titles with the Celtics (’08) and Lakers (’20), but always seemed to be moving from team to team following that initial run in Boston.
Draymond Green
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Safe to say, knocking a teammate out cold during practice is enough to warrant a spot on the list. Draymond Green isn’t the first player to scrap with a teammate, but he may have had the most public skirmish with a colleague. At least when Bobby Portis dropped Nikola Mirtoic at a Bulls practice in 2017, there was no video of it. Everybody got to see Green delivering a devastating right-hand to Jordan Poole. The defending champion Warriors endured a disappointing season after the squabble and some attribute that to the younger players losing trust in Green as a teammate. Poole has never been the same and was traded to the Wizards months later.
J.R. Smith
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We know about LeBron James’ issues with Smith, who might be the biggest ball hog among this entire group. That’s enough to make this list. Smith’s NBA career spanned 16 seasons — which is pretty remarkable for a gunner who shot 42-percent for his career. Selfishness is a theme here. Whether we’re talking about wanting to shoot the basketball or achieve all the glory. In Smith’s case, he often aimed for both.
Smush Parker
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Parker lasted five seasons in the NBA (2003-08), enjoying a solid two-year stretch averaging more than 11 points per game with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Parker went from celebrated underdog to pariah by the time his career ended in 2008 with the Los Angeles Clippers. It was in Miami in that final campaign where Parker drew the ire of star Dwyane Wade — when the former thought he was worthy of the ball more than the latter. An off-court assault issue with a female valet attendant didn’t help his status with teammates, either.
Dwight Howard
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A sure-fire Hall of Famer, Dwight Howard played for seven different teams over 18 seasons. Through the years, there have been two certainties when it comes to Howard: he will grab rebounds and be disliked by his teammates. Whether in Orlando, Los Angeles, or Houston, Howard was never able to get along with his teammates for an extended period. Whether it was his personality or unwillingness to cede post touches, Howard was a general nuisance throughout his career.
Ricky Davis
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Judging by the stories told, Davis might very well be the most selfish player in NBA history. So much so that Shaquille O’Neal could not stand playing with him in Miami. Davis played 12 seasons in the NBA, spanning six teams. He averaged 20.6 points in 2002-03 with Cleveland, but was all about himself. Davis averaged nearly 19 shot attempts that season. He was also known for being quite the showboater – in the worst possible way. Davis also famously threw a ball off his own team’s rim in an attempt to achieve a triple-double.
Delonte West
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In defense of West, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2008. West showed promise in his first few years with Boston and then in Cleveland. Still, it was hard for teammates to trust West. From gun possession charges to some temper issues to the rumor involving LeBron James’ mother. West was not the most dependable NBA player and one who was almost crying out for help.
Stephon Marbury
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A two-time All-Star, Marbury had plenty of talent. He also had plenty of issues when it came to dealing with coaches. Specifically, with New York Knicks coaches Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas. Marbury had quite the attitude, and perhaps playing for his hometown Knicks (Marbury hailed from Brooklyn) was not a good idea. It’s often the case when a player does not get along with a coach, he becomes resented by his teammates. Here’s a textbook example.
Kwame Brown
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Many NBA pundits believe Brown is the worst No. 1 overall pick in NBA history. We have Michael Jordan, the Washington Wizards team president at the time (2001), to thank for that. Considering he was a major bust on the court (6.6 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game), got into spats with coaches and teammates, and endured some legal issues off it, we’re still floored by the fact that Brown spent 12 seasons in the NBA. That says a lot about all those big men who lasted far fewer years than Brown.
Rick Barry
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Barry is an NBA champion (1975) and eight-time All-Star. He’s also been regarded as one of the worst teammates in all of professional sports. He often complained about how much he was getting paid and at one point refused to play in the ABA, before eventually relenting. Later, as a broadcaster, he made an off-color remark about fellow Hall of Famer Bill Russell. All in all, Barry had trouble keeping his mouth shut, leading to a reputation that has become a side note to his brilliant basketball career.
Nate Robinson
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Maybe it’s a case of small man’s syndrome? The 5-foot-9 Robinson is a fantastic dunker. He also had a fantastic temper. Robinson was no stranger to mixing it up with teammates like Jerome James – or opponents. Most notably J.R. Smith, then with Denver. Smith and Robinson got into it at Madison Square Garden during a messy altercation that built its way up and into the seats.
DeMarcus Cousins
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Another player who is a bit of an enigma. Early in his career, Cousins was plenty full of himself with the Kings. His solid play with Sacramento for six-plus seasons was countered by his complaints about the franchise. He often clashed with teammates and was fined on various occasions. Cousins played 12 seasons in the league with his last appearance being in 2022. After being traded from the Kings in 2017, Cousins played for six different teams over his last five seasons.
Matt Barnes
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Barnes spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing for nine teams. During his career, Barnes was suspended for fighting, threatening Derek Fisher, and punching Greg Stiemsma. That was just on the court. Barnes also had his issues off the court. Including a resisting arrest charge while with the Los Angeles Clippers in October 2012. That’s a lot of baggage to carry around. Yet, Barnes still found ways to remain on NBA rosters throughout his career.
Nick Young
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It’s still somewhat surprising that Young played 12 seasons in the NBA. Another case of a player thinking he’s better than he was. Young loved to shoot but was only a 41.8-percent shooter for his career. This was a guy who thought he was as good as teammate Kobe Bryant. Young also had issues with another Los Angeles Lakers teammate, D’Angelo Russell, which involved pop star Iggy Azalea. Drama, drama, and more drama.
Allen Iverson
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Iverson was an NBA Most Valuable Player (2001) and an 11-time All-Star. He was also a disruptive figure no matter where he played in the NBA. Iverson’s biggest problem was getting along with his coaches – Larry Brown, Chris Ford, and Jim O’Brien, to be specific. Of course, there was his disdain for “practice,” too. But Iverson’s issues with his coaches rubbed off on his teammates and made for a toxic environment where he put himself over the team.
Latrell Sprewell
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Nobody is arguing that “Spree” couldn’t play. He averaged 18.3 points over 13 seasons with three teams. However, Sprewell was always about himself. And, it didn’t matter what lengths he would go to prove that he was mightier than all. Just ask coach P.J. Carlesimo, whom Sprewell choked during practice with Golden State and drew a 68-game suspension. There were also those times Sprewell threatened his teammates with weapons or even 2x4s.
Michael Jordan
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Yes, the greatest basketball player of all time (sorry, LeBron) makes the worst teammate list. How is that possible? Maybe, it’s a compliment of sorts. Jordan expected the best out of every teammate – whether another star or the last man on the bench. Nobody worked harder or expected more out of himself than MJ. So, if his teammates weren’t up to snuff, he would let them know. He rarely did it pleasantly, meaning when Jordan was not happy with a teammate, he would let them know it – no matter who was around to see.
James Harden
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Harden averages more than 24 points for his career and is a former NBA Most Valuable Player. Yet, he’s on his fifth team and still trying to claim an NBA title. Harden also has never passed up a shot he does not like, which bothered teammates in the past. As Harden gets up in age and the window for winning that elusive NBA title closes, he’s become more disruptive. More of a complainer, demanding trades and essentially being less tolerable to be around.
Kyrie Irving
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Kyrie Irving might be more of an enigma than a straight-up terrible teammate. Now, he has allowed injuries to dictate when he plays or doesn’t. And, he’s dealt with the ever-popular “personal reasons” to miss time. So, there’s a level of selfishness that questions Irving’s passion for the game. Not to mention, he’s reportedly into conspiracy theories. From the Earth being flat to John F. Kennedy’s murder coming at the hands of the Federal Reserve.
Metta Sandiford-Artest
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Or Metta World Peace. Or Ron Artest. Whatever you want to call him. Artest was an above-average NBA player over a 17-season career. However, he could also be a loose cannon and had a short fuse. NBA fans probably remember that incident in November 2004 in the Palace of Auburn Hills when he got into a skirmish on the court. Then, after lying on the scorer’s table, he was pelted with a drink from a fan. That led to Artest hopping into the stands and eventually attacking an innocent fan – causing a brawl.
Kobe Bryant
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Kobe’s career and legacy have rightfully been celebrated since his tragic passing in early 2020. That said, the man was not perfect when it came to dealing with some of his teammates. Though we are not hearing much negative talk of Bryant since his death, he’s often been labeled as a “ball hog” or “glory hound.” His feud with former Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal likely kept the franchise from an undisputed dynasty. Even greatness has its blemishes.
Shaquille O’Neal
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Let’s be clear. The Kobe-Shaq feud was not all one-sided. O’Neal did plenty of complaining and often allowed his ego to get in the way of things while in Los Angeles. And, while Bryant always came ready to play, O’Neal was often lazy and out of shape during his career. In Miami, Shaq also had his issues. Whether taking shots at the Heat’s medical and training staff for not keeping him healthy or ripping teammates, playing alongside this superstar was not always easy.
