most aggressive nba players of all time

Oakley squared up with a whos who of NBA tough guys and had an epic series of throwdowns with Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. As a result of a tie in the voting, the 75th anniversary team includes 76 players. But that was nothing compared to how he treated opponents. "If you played Monday through Saturday and didn't have a fight, you knew you had to be ready for Sunday because you'd surely have a fight. NBA legend Michael Jordan. McHale was always thought of as a uniquely gifted offensive player, but his reputation as being tough or intimidating was centered around just one famous play. First with his play and then with his legendary trash talk. Bottom line: Sidney Moncrief was the first NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986, then won it again in 1987. Stockton, the NBA career leader in assists and steals, was as durable as any player in NBA history. Because 16.2 rebounds per game is just insane. Perkins wasnt just hired muscle, though. Most Improved Player. Navigation Toggle NBA. Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on the Bulls in the 1990s. Mahorns toughness seemed to flow directly from his inability to jump very well and what he had to do to make up for that. Bottom line: Possibly the greatest enforcer in NBA history, Charles Oakley was a first-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in 1985 out of NCAA Division II Virginia Union. The Admiral led the ships path for San Antonio by example, and he lived by the idea of no easy buckets for the opponent. Defensive Player of the Year. He was once singled out by NBA career leading-scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the toughest defender he ever faced and is regarded as the only post player of that era who could stand toe-to-toe with both Wilt Chamberlain and Abdul-Jabbar. The most intense players to ever play in the NBA brought a 110 percent effort on every single night. That Silas did it with aplomb and earned a reputation for never losing his cool speaks to more than just being tough. Most Improved Player. Bottom line: Kevin Garnett is the highest-paid player in NBA history, with $326 million in career earnings. There might not be anyone in NBA history with a sports background quite like Nash, which helps explain why he always seemed to have blood on his jersey. Although he never won an NBA title in 14 seasons. Bottom line: For the entirety of his career, Scott Skiles was listed at 6-foot-1. Sloans toughness came from his hardscrabble background. Stats: 23.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.3 APG in nine seasons with New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012-13 to 2018-19) and Los Angeles Lakers (2019-20 to 2020-21)*. Consider also that James has played in three Summer Olympics, two FIBA World Championships and, in 17 years of professional basketball, has never had a major injury. Stats: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG in 19 seasons with Utah Jazz (1984-85 to 2002-03); NBA's career leader in total assists and steals. Three teams are well situated (Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings), and A legitimate presence in the middle, Robinson embodied all of the characteristics that make up an ideal center. Teams: Detroit Pistons (1962-1968), New York Knicks (1968-1974), Key stats: 875 G, 16.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 43.2 FG%. Are you kidding me? How tough is Adams? With the season underway, we adjusted our preseason rankings of the best players in league right now. The Mailman threw elbows like it was his job, and frankly, sometimes thats exactly how he sent a message to the opponent. Before turning his focus to basketball, the two-time Most Valuable Player grew up in Canada playing hockey, and his family lived in the same neighborhood as future NHL stars Russ and Geoff Courtnall. Wallace was named a finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019 but somehow wasnt voted in, furthering the notion that the Basketball Hall of Fame is a joke and needs a complete overhaul if it wants to stay relevant. Key stats: 1,504 G, 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 10.5 APG, 51.5 FG%. 1, but some big men are climbing the . Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, five-time assists champ, two-time MVP. That makes the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 15-time All-NBA pick one of the toughest and most durable players of all time. Foust, an eight-time All-Star, died in 1984 of a heart attack at 59 years old. For the prime example of Jordans mentality, look to the 1997 NBA Finals Game 5 "The Flu Game." If you want to see a player who never doubted his ability at any moment, look no further than Miller. Post-career, Johnson has been an even bigger success. Starks made an All-Star team in 1994 and was NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1997. Teams: Boston Celtics (1970-80), Milwaukee Bucks (1982-83), Key stats: 766 G, 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 46.0 FG%. Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (1985-90), Phoenix Suns (1990-91), New York Knicks (1991-92), Boston Celtics (1992-95), New Jersey Nets (1996-98), Key stats: 870 G, 15.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 48.5 FG%. Stats: 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG in 16 seasons with Miami Heat (2003-04 to 2015-16; 2017-18 to 2018-19), Chicago Bulls (2016-17) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18). Kemp was unreal during his days in Seattle, and there was a reason that his nickname was Reign Man. He was so intense that he even scared some of his teammates, so just imagine how the opposition felt about lining up against him. Bottom line: Its unfortunate that Allen Iversons career became known for him being an enigma and an unfortunate soundbite ("Practice?") Stats: 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG in 11 seasons with Boston Celtics (1970-71 to 1979-80) and Milwaukee Bucks (1982-83). Stats: 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1980-81 to 1992-93). Which threw even more fuel on his fire. Most Improved Player. Jordan Poole scored a game-high 34 points, 22 coming in the third quarter, the most points scored in that quarter in his career (prev. Whats unique about his career was that style of play, at that time, was ahead of its time feed the ball to one player and let the game hinge on that. Theres a mental aspect to being tough thats just as important. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, five-time All-Defensive team. Jordan played in an NBA era where you had to essentially fight your way out of games, with every opponent he faced trying to physically break him. 37 Dirk Nowitzki. Stats: 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG in 11 seasons with Milwaukee/St. How do you function when everyone is against you? Myself, I liked to get my fight over on Monday or Tuesday and not worry about it the rest of the week.". Key stats: 1,346 G, 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 44.7 FG%, NBA titles: 5 (2000, 2001. Bottom line: Larry Fousts toughness came in the form of brute strength as a "clear out the block" post player. In the NBA, some of the greatest players of all time have also been some of the toughest as well as some of the most beloved. Bottom line: One of 18 children, Steven Adams had a rough childhood in New Zealand after his father died in 2006, but basketball took him off the streets of his hometown and put him in a gym. Some players have a signature that highlights exactly why they're on this list, while others bring a quiet approach to their complete and total dominance. Stats: 17.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG in 21 seasons with Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-96 to 2006-07; 2014-15 to 2015-16), Boston Celtics (2007-08 to 2012-13) and Brooklyn Nets (2013-14 to 2014-15). Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 1950-51 rebounding champ, 1955 NBA champion. Stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG in 19 seasons with Dallas Mavericks (1994-95 to 1996-97; 2007-08 to 2011-12), Phoenix Suns (1996-97 to 2000-01), New Jersey Nets (2001-02 to 2007-08) and New York Knicks (2012-13). Stats: 16.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG in 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1962-63 to 1968-69) and New York Knicks (1968-69 to 1973-74). There was never a call that went unquestioned with Wallace, and he had no trouble illustrating exactly how he felt about everything. He made second-team the other season. Key stats: 1,270 G, 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 43.9 FG%, NBA titles: 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976). Stats: 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG in 17 seasons with New York Knicks (1985-86 to 1999-00), Seattle SuperSonics (2000-01) and Orlando Magic (2001-02). 2002, 2009, 2010). Laimbeer also was durable. Unseld was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. Anyone who has never seen some of Birds closest encounters on the hardwood should hit the YouTube channel immediately. Pettit also was the first NBA Most Valuable Player in 1958 and is tied with Kobe Bryant for most NBA All-Star MVP awards with four. Stats: 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG in 19 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1997-98 to 2015-16). Stats: 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG in 12 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1982-83 to 1993-94). One stat stands out more than any other. Key stats: 755 G, 14.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.5 APG, 42.7 FG%, NBA titles: 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). 6. Accomplishments: Eight-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 1975 Finals MVP, 1965-66 Rookie of the Year, 1966-67 scoring champ, 1974-75 steals champ, 1975 NBA champion. His most iconic play was a baseline, left-handed dunk over Jordan and Horace Grant in the playoffs. His career has been yeoman-like, with six teams over 11 seasons, but hes been steady and his toughness is unmatched for some pretty incredible reasons. And that's what makes Trae an outlier; he's the smallest, and probably the frailest player on this list, yet he's behind only SGA and Luka in drives per game. Some say Durant is the best scorer of all time as a 7-foot player who plays like a guard and can get his shot off anytime he wants. Teams: Denver Nuggets (1974-78), Philadelphia 76ers (1978-86), Key stats: 941 G, 12.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 56.0 FG%. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1968-69 scoring champ, two-time rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. The toughness of the 6-foot-7 Silas came from what he was asked to do for every team he played on in his 16-year career guard players 4-5 inches taller than him. Stats: 26.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG in 10 NBA seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1976-77 to 1984-85) and Chicago Bulls (1985-86); also played four ABA seasons with Virginia Squires (1972-73 to 1973-74) and San Antonio Spurs (1973-74 to 1975-76). It was the third anniversary team in the league. Kevin Durant. This was at a time when the 76ers guard acted in a way that stood out from many of the other, more straight-laced, stars such as Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, and Ray Allen. Bottom line: There wasnt a better role player to put on your roster in the 1970s than Paul Silas, who won two titles with the Celtics and one with the SuperSonics over the last six years of the decade. Whether a mean stare, a suffocating style of play or a general ability to send electricity into the building, there is no questioning what these currently bring or have brought to the table. Double check. Bottom line: Steve Nash seemed like he was made of pure scrap iron for most of his NBA career, bouncing around the court and off of other players like he was inside of a pinball machine. 1 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1991 out of UNLV. Resume: 15 years; 4 All-Stars; 2X NBA Champion; Career stats: 12.9 PPG 9.7 RPG 0.9 BPG. There was a reason he was the No. There might just be a surprise in one of the top spots. English's nightly offensive assaults made him an exciting player to watch. Isaiah Rider Guard Isaiah Rider of the Portland Trailblazers stands on the court. 49. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, two-time MVP, two-time scoring champ, 2015-16 steals champ, three-time NBA champion. Kick a cameraman in the crotch? In an alternate universe, Van Lier wouldve been able to pursue his first love of playing quarterback for a big-time college football program, but all of the schools that recruited him wanted him to play defensive back, a throwback to a racist, ignorant era. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, eight-time assists champ, 1956-57 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, six-time NBA champion. The most incredible rebounder weve ever seen for someone of his size, The Worm was never afraid to show his true colors. Get used to that, because Adams could play for another 10 years. Bottom line: Whats amazing about Rick Mahorns career is that, on paper, it appears to have been pretty average. Whether it was through his play, his quotes or just his general presence on the floor, Oakley embodied the idea of intensity. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, They said it! J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. Accomplishments: 12-time NBA All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, two-time NBA All-Defensive team, three-time NBA MVP, 1983 Finals MVP, six-time NBA rebounding champ, 1983 NBA champion. Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 15-time All-Defensive team, two-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP, 2000 All-Star MVP, 1997-98 Rookie of the Year, five-time NBA champion. Bottom line: Ron Artest legally changed his name to Metta World Peace in 2011, but no matter what his name was during his 18-year pro career, opponents were in for a dogfight when he stepped on a court. He never made it past the second round of the playoffs but was an eight-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection and three-time All-Star. Every referee that has ever been a part of one of Wallaces game would attest that he should be even higher. In 2009, the NBA named its Finals MVP award after Russell. in Game 2, swinging an elbow at Dawkins head and changing the tone of the series as the Blazers rallied for the championship. Accomplishments: 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 12-time All-Defensive team, 2007-08 MVP, two-time Finals MVP, four-time All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, five-time NBA champion. You can also point directly to Bryants introduction to the league, when he got the sort of welcome outside of Los Angeles that you might expect for a 13th-century leper, as other teams' stars tried to "put him in his place.". Teams: New Jersey Nets (1981-1989), Portland Trail Blazers (1989-1996), New York Knicks (1996-1998), Key stats: 1,307 G, 12.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 54.9 FG%. Most Valuable Player. Stats: 22.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 APG in 10 NBA seasons with Philadelphia Warriors (1950-51 to 1961-62). Nash was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2018. The NBA standings in the Western Conference are extremely tight. The Celtics won the title in seven games. When a player is seen as an enforcer on one of the most physical teams in league history, you know hes got to be intense. Parish might not get the love that he deserves for being intense, but theres no questioning his commitment. Bottom line: How tough was Jerry Sloan? In order to play a decade in the NBA like Skiles did, and be that size, it takes some innate toughness. After being banished to the bench and playing just 24 games in his first two seasons, Mason proved to be incredibly durable. Seriously, 11 championships in 13 seasons is arguably the most intense thing to ever be accomplished in league history. The NBA's 75th anniversary team was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of media, current and former players, coaches, general managers and team executives. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In his first 13 seasons, he missed just four games and only missed 22 in his career, with 17 of those coming at the start of the 1997-98 season as he recovered from an injured MCL. Teams: Golden State Warriors (1988-89, 1999-2000), New York Knicks (1990-98), Chicago Bulls (2000), Utah Jazz (2000-02), Key stats: 866 G, 12.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 41.2 FG%. Hes certainly not short on that trait, as hes well known for being anything but candid with the officials. He was unstoppable back when he played, and hed probably be unstoppable now if he was in his prime. Or how much you can dole out. Thats what the Magic man was all about. Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (1979-81), Detroit Pistons (1981-91), San Antonio Spurs (1991-92), Key stats: 984 G, 12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 46.4 FG%. NBA Odds: Grizzlies vs. Nuggets prediction, pick, how to watch - 3/3/2023. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, two-time All-Star MVP, 1990 Finals MVP, 1984-85 assists champ, two-time NBA champion. The infamous finger wag. 15 15. Its a shame that he was never able to capture a ring, as there were few who dedicated themselves to a craft as thoroughly as Malone. Carlesimo, he pretty much cemented his place on this compilation. Teams: Golden State Warriors (2012-present), Key stats: 576 games, 9.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 43.5 FG%.

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