Which 10 players in league history have hurt/damaged the NBA/basketball the most?

[fpliii]

Who you got?

[Kews1]

http://www.vegasnews.com/wp-content/uploads/10_12_10_ron_artest_kabik-41-9-570.jpg

[tmacattack33]

Artest is up there.

Edit: The guy above me beat me to it.

[SevereUpInHere]

Gilbert Arenas
Kermit Washington

[La Frescobaldi]

kermit washington

ron artest

bruce bowen

bill laimbeer

lebron james decision

david thompson and the cocaine guys right up through len bias

jordan gambling scandal was very dangerous. it was smoothly convenient that he 'retired' to play baseball and stern covered all that up.

you know what i can't remember a point shaving scandal in the NBA (other than the refs were throwing games in 90s and 00s)

[BMOGEFan]

lebron james.

conspiring to build super teams.

No respect for one self

Lack of self confidence to win it on your own

No hunger

No fire

What happened to the 80-90s era fire? Lebron killed it.

Would bird, magic, and mike conspire to play with one another?

[RobertdeMeijer]

As much as I personally love Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, it was awkward that such a loner was the best player for such a long time.

Rick Barry hurt the league with his precarious, arrogant and racist behaviour.

Bill Walton: indirectly first by winning the 1977 championship; he denied Julius Erving being the great player the NBA needed. Then he got injured and cancelled out his own greatness.

[Rubio2Gasol]

lebron james.

conspiring to build super teams.

No respect for one self

Lack of self confidence to win it on your own

No hunger

No fire

What happened to the 80-90s era fire? Lebron killed it.

Would bird, magic, and mike conspire to play with one another?

To be fair those dudes walked onto more talented teams than the one Lebron built.

Still Lebron has gotten almost every star in this league thinking they need to team up with 2 others or more to get a chip.

Building around with the best suitable teammates, like they did for Bron in Cleveland and Dwight in Orlando is no longer a viable option...though to me it's the better one.

People are teaming up with dudes they don't even remotely fit with.

[DukeDelonte13]

lebron james.

conspiring to build super teams.

No respect for one self

Lack of self confidence to win it on your own

No hunger

No fire

What happened to the 80-90s era fire? Lebron killed it.

Would bird, magic, and mike conspire to play with one another?

:applause: :applause:

F*ck this inmates running the asylum BS... Dwightmare Saga is up there too.

[Kews1]

http://slcwhblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/kobe.jpg

I dont think he was guilty but at the time this was a huge deal and pretty embarrassing for the NBA

[MavsPoke]

The the marquee player on the marquee franchise goes on rape trial.

[ripthekik]

The fact that Lebron James has already been mentioned makes me proud of ISH. :cheers:

[SCdac]

Karl ****ing Malone ... in terms of physically hurting players ... hated that dude

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IAPsYFC5liU/Sag7lJiel9I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/d8bYj3ctmP4/s400/KarlMalone-kick.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/85/242386806_1731d90880.jpg

http://www.makingpages.org/hoops/malone.hurts.kleine.jpg

[Scholar]

Linsanity



lol

[Sharmer]

Karl Malone attitude and response to Magic being HIV positive and wanting to play. Just showed what a ignoramus he is.

[WillC]

1) Alex Groza and Ralph Beard

2) Ron Artest

3) Kermit Washington

4) Latrell Sprewell

5) Richard Dumas

6) Roy Tarpley

7) Javaris Crittenton

8) Gilbert Arenas

9) Rasheed Wallace

10) Billy Ray Bates

[Skep]

LOL at people saying superstars damage the league, no they want them in the spotlight and hell yeah they want controversy. Its all about publicity.

And Karl Malone played physical basketball, which most finesse ******* dont endorse. Then dont try and guard me with your scratching/flopping ass self or youre going to get wrecked.

[TheMan]

Detroit Piston Bad Boys thugball tactics.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Detroit Piston Bad Boys thugball tactics.

:biggums:

They made those series vs. DA BULLS, and Jordan especially, that much more exciting.

[Zodiac]

Easily MJ...he's destroyed two different NBA franchises, started a whole trend of moving away from defensive basketball to more of stick your hands up and try and faceguard because if you even graze him they're calling a foul.

Ron Artest and Pistons fans for one the most ****ing idiotic scenes to ever occur in the history of sports

[HardwoodLegend]

Allen Iverson.

His cornrows, tattoos and thuggish anti-practice persona put off a lot of White America.

[SpecialQue]

Michael Jordan.

Yes, he was a phenomenon. Yes, he makes a strong case for being the greatest individual player of all time. The reason why I think he hurt the league is because after Jordan and all his myth-building, marketing, and stardom, individual glory and accolades became the rule for the NBA. Someone like Wilt got demonized for his accumulation of stats, while players like Russell, Magic and Bird were idolized because of their unselfish focus on making their teams better. Anyone who hates Kobe only has Jordan to blame for making that kind of blatant glory seeking not only acceptable, but the norm.

He was a great player, but his impact on the league, aside from increasing ad revenue, was negative overall.

[bdreason]

Michael Jordan.



While his popularity arguably took the NBA global, the rules that were subsequently created by Stern to create the next MJ took all the physicality out of the game, and has all but eliminated superstar bigmen.

[imdaman99]

Definitely MJ. He turned the league into isolation superstar 1 on 1 guys.

[Pacers4ever]

lebron james.

conspiring to build super teams.

No respect for one self

Lack of self confidence to win it on your own

No hunger

No fire

What happened to the 80-90s era fire? Lebron killed it.

Would bird, magic, and mike conspire to play with one another?
Lol at this guy accusing of lebron having no respect for himself, no fire, no hunger. my god at the hate :roll: And name me a player who's won it by himself.

[TheMan]

Definitely MJ. He turned the league into isolation superstar 1 on 1 guys.
This makes no sense...

You can say MJ ISOed too much earlier in his career when he was was surrounded by crap but when he actually had team mates, he trusted them...

just a few examples...

Jordan giving up the ball to Paxson vs the Lakers in the Finals when the doubleteam came at him.
Jordan bringing the ball up vs Phoenix, passed it to Pip who passed it to Grant who passed it to Paxson for the title clinching trey.
Jordan passing to Kerr for the FT line jumper when Stockton left him...etc

These are in the FINALS, he was willing to give the ball up, all you guys who never saw him play believe the myth that he never gave the ball up to team mates. HHell, Jackson had the Bulls run the triangle offense where everyone would touch the ball and that offense is based on player and ball movement:facepalm

Jordan would often times need to shoot bailout shots when the shotclock would run out because there were no other shot available, and Mike Fratello would often say MJ was the greatest at creating a shot with the clock running out...

Seems like all you guys who think MJ's game was all ISO only have YouTube videos to go on, I saw those games in real time, I know what I'm talking about, you guys don't.

[Mr. Jabbar]

I've got Lebron, and I'm not biased.

The guy backstabbed a whole city.
Did it on national TV.
Showed kids they should shortcut and join competition instead of facing adversity.

No ethics, morale or loyalty whatsoever...

A very bad example for kids all around the world. :no:

[miller-time]

Michael Jordan.



While his popularity arguably took the NBA global, the rules that were subsequently created by Stern to create the next MJ took all the physicality out of the game, and has all but eliminated superstar bigmen.

I don't think you can blame Jordan. He just did what he did. It was the rest of the world that wanted to find or be the next Mike. I think everyone in that whole post 98 era should share in the blame.

[miller-time]

I've got Lebron, and I'm not biased.

The guy backstabbed a whole city.
Did it on national TV.
Showed kids they should shortcut and join competition instead of facing adversity.

No ethics, morale or loyalty whatsoever...

A very bad example for kids all around the world. :no:

Lebron left his team in poor fashion. But I think most of that is past him now. I don't think he damaged the NBA. Even if no one likes him people are still going to watch him, so hero or villain Lebron is good for the NBA.

[TheMan]

I don't think you can blame Jordan. He just did what he did. It was the rest of the world that wanted to find or be the next Mike. I think everyone in that whole post 98 era should share in the blame.
TMac, AI, VCarter and yes, Kobe...

[kkb_12]

Ruben Paterson - attempted rape conviction
Kobe Bryant - rape charges
Latrel Sprewell - "need to feed family"
Lebron James - decision
Dwight Howard - attempt to repeat "decision"
Alan Iverson - gang connections and gun posesion charge
Steve Francis - refusing to play for team that drafted him
Kevin Garnett - slapping the kid that blocked his shot in training
Gilbert Arenas - gun in locker room
Vince Carter - giving up on team cause he wanted trade

honorable mention:
Darko Milicic - complete attitude and threats to referee

[Noob Saibot]

I don't think you can blame Jordan. He just did what he did. It was the rest of the world that wanted to find or be the next Mike. I think everyone in that whole post 98 era should share in the blame.

^this. and now there is a lack of NBA quality big men as well. Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk are still doing their thing, even in 2012-13. Our future bigs are guys with poor attitudes and work ethic in Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and freakin' DeMarcus Cousins. :facepalm

[BMOGEFan]

I've got Lebron, and I'm not biased.

The guy backstabbed a whole city.
Did it on national TV.
Showed kids they should shortcut and join competition instead of facing adversity.

No ethics, morale or loyalty whatsoever...

A very bad example for kids all around the world. :no:

I agree.

He conspired with 2 other superstars at the time to join up before the season was even over.

Talk about shortcutting and scared of facing adversity.

[IamRAMBO24]

I agree.

He conspired with 2 other superstars at the time to join up before the season was even over.

Talk about shortcutting and scared of facing adversity.

Stars packing up together are so much funner to watch. As much as the Lakers suck, they are still fun to watch.

I don't see anything wrong with this as long as other teams are allow to compete and there are no behind the scenes rigging going on.

People watch the All Star games in droves for a reason: they simply want to see the best play together.

What Lebron did isn't half as bad as Kobe or MJ. The era that MJ brought us in and then Kobe took it to the next level, man, this is prob the worst basketball I have ever seen in the sport.

It is now all style and no substance.

[COnDEMnED]

Karl ****ing Malone ... in terms of physically hurting players ... hated that dude

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IAPsYFC5liU/Sag7lJiel9I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/d8bYj3ctmP4/s400/KarlMalone-kick.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/85/242386806_1731d90880.jpg

http://www.makingpages.org/hoops/malone.hurts.kleine.jpg

Didn't he also molest children? Thats gotta be mentioned...

[Djsonny]

pretty soon you can add Cousins on the list, loser

[Overdrive]

It is now all style and no substance.

Wtf they won 11 rings. That's the purpose of playing in the NBA, how has their game no substance?

[Fiasco]

"Maybe it’s my fault.
Maybe I led you to believe it was easy when it wasn’t.
Maybe I made you think my highlights started at the free throw line, and not in the gym.
Maybe I made you think that every shot I took was a game winner.
That my game was built on flash, and not fire.
Maybe it’s my fault that you didn’t see that failure gave me strength;
That my pain gave me motivation.
Maybe I led you to believe that basketball was a God given gift, and not something I worked for… every single day of my life.
Maybe I destroyed the game.
Or maybe… you’re just making excuses."

[madmax]

Michael Jordan.

Yes, he was a phenomenon. Yes, he makes a strong case for being the greatest individual player of all time. The reason why I think he hurt the league is because after Jordan and all his myth-building, marketing, and stardom, individual glory and accolades became the rule for the NBA. Someone like Wilt got demonized for his accumulation of stats, while players like Russell, Magic and Bird were idolized because of their unselfish focus on making their teams better. Anyone who hates Kobe only has Jordan to blame for making that kind of blatant glory seeking not only acceptable, but the norm.

He was a great player, but his impact on the league, aside from increasing ad revenue, was negative overall.

:applause:
there is no other superstar who did more damage to the league and basketball overall than Jordan. If not for this ballhog, maybe we would still be watching proper physical basketball with big guys ruling the court. Because of him we have myriads of his clones, forgetting team concept of the game in their quest of personal accolades and glory...

[Overdrive]

:applause:
there is no other superstar who did more damage to the league and basketball overall than Jordan. If not for this ballhog, maybe we would still be watching proper physical basketball with big guys ruling the court. Because of him we have myriads of his clones, forgetting team concept of the game in their quest of personal accolades and glory...

If not for him alot of us wouldn't be watching basketball. I didn't even like him, but he made basketball known all over the world.

[wakencdukest]

Michael Jordan - The original ball dominant 2 guard that every 2 guard/small forward tries to be like nowadays.

Dirk Nowitzki - the seven foot perimeter player that every coach has been looking for ever since, and every big man is trying to be like, creating a league where true post playing big men are scarce

[fpliii]

So far there are three guys who have to be included IMO:

Alex Groza
Kermit Washington
Ron Artest

I feel like at least one of the cocaine guys belongs here too...maybe MRR or David Thompson (though Thompson wasn't banned)?

[Real Men Wear Green]

I can't believe that James and Jabbar have been listed. That's just insane.
Allen Iverson.

His cornrows, tattoos and thuggish anti-practice persona put off a lot of White America.
The effect of his image can't be quantified. What we do know is that the NBA marketed him hard in his heyday and he had plenty of corporate sponsorship off the court as well. The stories about the content of his rap cd may have hurt a little bit but the CD itself never got released and most people know nothing about it. Overall the NBA made hundreds of millions off AI so he can't be regarded as someone that had a net negative effect. Bottom line, Sixers games sold out.

[TheMan]

:applause:
there is no other superstar who did more damage to the league and basketball overall than Jordan. If not for this ballhog, maybe we would still be watching proper physical basketball with big guys ruling the court. Because of him we have myriads of his clones, forgetting team concept of the game in their quest of personal accolades and glory...
6 Rings, bit.ch

[TheBigVeto]

1. Jordan. One of the GOATs but his style of play gave birth to ballhog chucking guards which polluted the league.
2. Kobe. Took ballhogging and chucking to the extreme. Ungrateful dickhead criminal who got championships courtesy of David Stern.
3. Rodman. Crazy racist and overrated.
4. Shaq. If offensive foul was ever called correctly, dude would've fouled out in first quarter every game.
5. Sheed. See Rodman.
6. Isiah Thomas. See Rodman.
7. Latrell 'I should be in jail cell' Sprewell - stupid overpaid thug.
8. Lamar Odom - first player ever to be used in covert mission and blow up rival team from the inside.
9. Ron Artest. Ruined a small market franchise and given championships as reward by the commish.
10. Magic Johnson. Made frontrunning a trend. Could've been successful without frontrunning but chose to do it anyway because he wants easy like Lebron.

[Nash]

lebron james.

conspiring to build super teams.

No respect for one self

Lack of self confidence to win it on your own

No hunger

No fire

What happened to the 80-90s era fire? Lebron killed it.

Would bird, magic, and mike conspire to play with one another?
How can you sat this while not saying the same thing about Shaq, Kobe, Dwight etc etc? Those guys did exactly the same thing, Shaq dumped Orlando, Kobe almost bitched his way over to Chicago and Dwight did the same to join Lakers.

[InspiredLebowski]

I'll never say a kind word about Ron ****ing Artest. But he didn't destroy the Pacers on his own.

[Nevaeh]

Funny how most of the players being listed are for the most part all guys who actually saved/ maintained the League and its popularity.

http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif

There was still plenty of Team Ball to be had these past 3 generations and yes, that includes Jordan's teams. You can tell who actually watched games based on the comments alone. And the sad part is that there's no excuse now to not have access to any of these guys' games on video, and yes that includes Spree and AI.

[red1]

Destroyed the nba? No star players for obvious reasons but guys like rashard and his ridiculous 120mill contract fukced the league up and were directly responsible for the lockout last season. Bad contracts = bad for their teams and the nba as a whole

[upside24]

Karl Malone attitude and response to Magic being HIV positive and wanting to play. Just showed what a ignoramus he is.
To be fair not much was known about HIV/AIDS at the time and the entire country was terrified.

There were many misconceptions about the methods of contracting the disease.

[upside24]

[QUOTE=Fiasco]"Maybe it

[chocolatethunder]

I can't believe that James and Jabbar have been listed. That's just insane.
The effect of his image can't be quantified. What we do know is that the NBA marketed him hard in his heyday and he had plenty of corporate sponsorship off the court as well. The stories about the content of his rap cd may have hurt a little bit but the CD itself never got released and most people know nothing about it. Overall the NBA made hundreds of millions off AI so he can't be regarded as someone that had a net negative effect. Bottom line, Sixers games sold out.
Sixers games didn't sell out, at least not in Philadelphia. I'm pretty sure some of the first round playoff games didn't even sell out.

[Purch]

Karl Malone attitude and response to Magic being HIV positive and wanting to play. Just showed what a ignoramus he is.
I think that was the worst moment of his career