The Basketball Beef You Need to Know

The Washington Wizards just beefed with the Toronto Raptors and we have all the juicy details.

The NBA’s best beefs

From Draymond Green and Kevin Durant’s on-court beef to Shaq and Kobe’s years-long feud, the NBA has seen its share of beefs over the years. Here are some of the best:

Draymond Green and Kevin Durant

This beef goes back to when Green and Durant were teammates on the Golden State Warriors Green reportedly called Durant a “bitch” during a game in 2016, which led to a heated exchange between the two players. The beef continued off the court, withDurant seeming to take shots at Green in his book “The Art of Basketball.” The two have since made up, but it’s still one of the most fascinating beefs in NBA history

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant

This is arguably the most famous beef in NBA history Shaq and Kobe were teammates on the Lakers for eight years, winning three championships together. But their relationship was fraught with tension, as Shaq felt like Kobe was trying to take his place as the team’s leader. The feud came to a head in 2004 when Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat The two have been feuding ever since, taking shots at each other in interviews and on social media

The biggest beefs in NBA history

When it comes to the NBA, there is no shortage of storylines. There have been plenty of Great players dynasties and Witness Protection-level flops. But one thing that has always captured the imagination of NBA fans is a good ol’ fashioned beef. Whether it’s on the court, in the locker room or even in the stands, these conflicts have transcended the game and become part of pop culture Here are some of the biggest beefs in NBA history

Kobe vs. Shaq
This one needs no introduction. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were teammates on the Lakers for eight seasons from 1996 to 2004, winning three straight championships from 2000 to 2002. But behind the scenes, there was tension brewing between the two superstars. In 2003, Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in a deal that shocked the NBA world. In an interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan in 2017, Kobe revealed that he had asked for a trade following the 2003 season because he “could not play with [Shaq] anymore.” The bad blood between these two has since been well documented, with both players taking shots at each other in interviews and on social media over the years.

LeBron vs. Kyrie
This one is still fresh in everyone’s mind. Lebron James and Kyrie Irving were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers for three seasons from 2014 to 2017, making three straight trips to the NBA Finals and winning a championship in 2016. But after losing to the Golden State Warriors in 2017, Irving requested a trade and was eventually dealt to the Boston Celtics While Irving has never publicly said why he wanted out of Cleveland, many speculated that it was because he was tired of playing second fiddle to LeBron. In an interview with ESPN’s First Take last year, Irving addressed those rumors and said that his decision had nothing to do with LeBron or any perceived lack of respect from him.

The most heated rivalries in the NBA

The most heated rivalries in the NBA are the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, with the two teams winning a combined 33 championships. The two teams have met 12 times in the NBA Finals with the Celtics winning nine of those series.

The other major rivalry in the NBA is between the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls with the two teams meeting six times in the Finals, with the Bulls winning three of those series.

The most controversial moments in NBA history

Since its inception in 1946, the National Basketball Association has seen its share of controversies. From players fighting on the court to racial tensions boiling over, the NBA has been embroiled in its fair share of drama. Here are some of the most controversial moments in NBA history

One of the most infamous incidents in NBA history took place in 1977 when Kermit Washington punched Rudy Tomjanovich during a game, causing him to suffer a fractured skull and face injuries that required 150 stitches to close. The punch was so violent that it was initially thought that Tomjanovich had been killed. Washington was suspended for 26 games and fined $10,000, but the damage was done and Tomjanovich was never the same player again.

In 2004, a brawl broke out between players and fans during a game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons The fight started after Pistons player Ron Artest fouled Pacers player Jermaine O’Neal, setting off a chain reaction that ended with Artest being hit with a drink thrown by a fan. Artest then leapt into the stands to fight the fan, setting off a massive brawl that spilled onto the court and caused several players to be injured. Nine players were suspended for their roles in the brawl, including Artest who was suspended for 86 games, costing him nearly $5 million in salary.

Racial tension has also long been an issue in the NBA. In 1961, Bill Russell became the first Black Player to be named MVP of the league, but he was also subjected to racist taunts from fans and opposing players. In 1967, African-American player Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul Jabbar) changed his name in an effort to distance himself from racism. In 1973, San Diego Rockets player Elvin Hayes received death threats after leading his team to victory against an all-white Soviet Union national team These are just a few examples of racism raising its ugly head in the NBA over the years.

The NBA has also been embroiled in scandal off the court. In 2002, it was revealed that referees Tim Donaghy and Jim Bain were betting on games they officiated and making calls that favored their bets. This rocked the Basketball World and led to increased scrutiny of referees as well as tightened security measures by the league.

The NBA has seen its fair share of controversies over the years, but it has also grown into one of the most popular sports leagues in the world

The most talked-about beefs in the NBA

When it comes to beef, the NBA has had its fair share of drama. On the court and off, there have been some seriously heated rivalries that have captured the attention of fans around the world. Here are some of the most talked-about beefs in the NBA.

Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O’Neal
This pair had one of the most iconic fallouts in NBA history After winning three consecutive championships together with the Los Angeles Lakers things took a turn for the worse when Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004. The two superstars took shots at each other through the media for years, with Shaq even going so far as to call Kobe “the worst thing that happened to [the Lakers] since Dr. Buss died.” Ouch.

Kevin Durant vs. Russell Westbrook
This feud is one that is still raging on today. After playing nine seasons together on the Oklahoma City Thunder Durant shocked everyone when he decided to join forces with Steph Curry and become a Golden State Warrior in 2016. Since then, he and Westbrook have not seen eye-to-eye, leading to some serious tension on and off the court. In October 2017, Durant even admitted that he “wouldn’t talk” to Westbrook if they ran into each other at a restaurant.

LeBron James vs. Draymond Green
These two have had their share of disagreements over the years, but things came to a head during an on-court argument in November 2018. After James stepped over Green following a play, Green took offense and responded by hitting James in his groin area. LeBron did not take kindly to this and proceeded to get in Green’s face, ultimately resulting in both players being ejected from the game. While they hashed things out eventually, this incident definitely put a strain on their relationship.

The most infamous beefs in NBA history

There have been many feuds and beefs in NBA history Some have been between teammates, while others have been between players and coaches Here are some of the most infamous beefs in NBA history

-Between teammates:
The most famous beef between teammates is probably the one between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant The two stars played together on the Los Angeles Lakers for eight seasons, winning three championships together. However, the relationship between the two stars was often strained, and they frequently argued with each other on the court. The feud came to a head in 2004 when Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat

-Between players and coaches:
One of the most famous beefs between a player and coach is the one between Kevin Durant and Billy Donovan Durant played for Donovan on the Oklahoma City Thunder for three seasons before leaving for the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Durant has said that he didn’t enjoy playing for Donovan, and that he felt like he was holding him back from reaching his full potential.

The most one-sided beefs in NBA history

In the world of Professional Basketball a good beef can add some much-needed spice to an otherwise dull season. Fans love to see their favorite players getting into it with each other, and the media loves to stoke the flames by blowing things out of proportion. But not all beefs are created equal. Some are one-sided slaughters that leave one player looking like a complete idiot. Here are four of the most one-sided beefs in NBA History

Draymond Green vs. Kevin Durant
This is the most recent example of a one-sided beef, and it’s still playing out in real time. If you’re not up to date on the situation, here’s a quick recap: Draymond Green and Kevin Durant were teammates on the Golden State Warriors for three seasons, during which time they won two championships together. But things started to go sour last year when Green got into it with Durant during a game, and things came to a head when Green called Durant a “bitch” during an argument earlier this season. Since then, the two have been feuding nonstop, with Durant leaving for the Brooklyn Nets in Free agency this offseason. It’s safe to say that Green won this beef, as Durant looks like a petulant child who can’t handle being challenged.

Isaiah Thomas vs. Dwyane Wade
This beef has been simmering for years, but it came to a head last season when Wade publicly called out Thomas for his lack of leadership skills. It was an especially low blow considering Thomas was dealing with the death of his sister at the time. Things got so heated that Thomas even threatened to fight Wade after a game, but fortunately cooler heads prevailed and nothing came of it. In any case, Wade clearly won this beef by showing that he’s not afraid to call out even his friends when he thinks they’re in the wrong.

Joakim Noah vs. Kendrick Perkins
This beef dates back to their days as teammates on the Chicago Bulls when Perkins reportedly called Noah a “fake tough guy” behind his back. The two have been feuding ever since, and things came to a head last year when they got into an altercation during a game between their respective teams (the Cavaliers and Timberwolves). The altercation led to both players being ejected from the game, but it was clear that Noah had won this round by standing up to Perkins after all these years.

Rajon Rondo vs. Chris Paul
This is another feud that dates back several years, but it reached its peak last season when Rondo sucker punched Paul during a game between their respective teams (the Pelicans and Rockets). The punch sparked a massive brawl that resulted in both players being suspended for multiple games. Rondo clearly won this beef by losing his cool and taking a cheap shot at Paul, who has largely avoided getting involved in on-court altercations throughout his career.

The most petty beefs in NBA history

The NBA is full of rivalries, both on and off the court. Players are constantly trying to one-up each other, whether it’s with their stats, their sneaker game, or even their post-game interviews. But sometimes, those petty beefs can turn into full-fledged wars. Here are some of the most petty beefs in NBA history

You might not remember this one, but back in 2006 Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were still teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers Shaq was known for his fun-loving personality, while Kobe was… well, let’s just say he was a little more serious. So when Shaq decided to show up to training camp overweight and out of shape, Kobe wasn’t too happy about it. He called Shaq out in the media, saying he needed to get his act together.

The two hashed it out in practice, but things really boiled over when they got into a heated exchange during a game against the Phoenix Suns Shaq fouled Kobe hard, and Kobe responded by throwing the ball at Shaq’s head. The two had to be separated by teammates and coaches, and they never really recovered from that altercation. They were traded to different teams shortly thereafter.

If you thought that was petty, just wait until you hear about Draymond Green and Lebron James These two have been going at it for years, and it all started when they were teammates on the Olympic team in 2016. LeBron apparently took exception to the way Draymond was treating some of the other players on the team, and he called him out for it in front of everyone.

Draymond responded by calling LeBron a “snitch” for telling coach Mike Krzyzewski about his complaints. The two have been beefing ever since then, with things reaching a boiling point last year when Draymond clotheslined LeBron during a game. It seems like these two will never see eye-to-eye!

The most surprising beefs in NBA history

The NBA is a league full of superstars. And when you have that many supers stars in one place, there are bound to be a few beefs. Some of these beefs are well-known, and some are more low-key. But all of them are surprising in one way or another. Here are the most surprising beefs in NBA history

1. Shaquille O’Neal vs. Kobe Bryant

This is perhaps the most well-known beef in NBA history Shaq and Kobe were teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers for eight seasons, winning three championships together. But things turned sour between the two stars, and they ultimately had a falling out. The beef has been well-documented over the years, and even though they’ve patched things up to some extent, they’re still not on the best of terms.

2. Draymond Green vs. Kevin Durant

Draymond Green and Kevin Durant were teammates on the Golden State Warriors for three seasons, winning two championships together. But things took a turn for the worse during the 2016-17 season when they got into a heated altercation on the court. The beef spilled over into the locker room and ultimately led to Durant leaving the Warriors in free agency Green and Durant have since reconciled, but their relationship is still not as strong as it once was.

3. Lebron James vs. Kyrie Irving

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers for three seasons, winning one championship together. But their relationship soured during Irving’s final season with the team, leading to Irving requesting a trade away from James. The two have since mended fences, but there’s still some bad blood between them.

4. Russell Westbrook vs. Kevin Durant

Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder for eight seasons, reaching the NBA Finals together in 2012. But things turned ugly between them when Durant left the Thunder to join the Warriors in free agency in 2016. Westbrook has since takenDurant’s departure personally, and their relationship has been strained ever since.

The most ridiculous beefs in NBA history

The most ridiculous beefs in NBA history

We all know that the NBA is a league full of big personalities. From Shaq to LeBron to Kobe, there have always been players who aren’t afraid to speak their minds or show their emotions on the court.

But sometimes, those big personalities can lead to some big problems. In the heat of the moment, tempers can flare and things can get out of control quickly. Whether it’s an on-court altercation or a longstanding grudge, there have been plenty of times when NBA players have let their beefs get the best of them.

Here are some of the most ridiculous beefs in NBA history

1) Shaq vs. Kobe: This is perhaps the most well-known beef in NBA history Shaq and Kobe were teammates on the Lakers for eight seasons and won three championships together, but things started to go sour when Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004. The two began feuding publicly, with Shaq calling Kobe a “child” and Kobe responding by saying Shaq was “ fat and out of shape .” The two have since buried the hatchet, but there was a time when this beef was white-hot.

2) Draymond Green vs. Lebron James This beef dates back to 2016, when Draymond Green and Lebron James got into an on-court altercation during a game between the Warriors and Cavaliers. Green had stepped over James while he was lying on the ground, and James responded by swinging his arm up and appearing to hit Green in the groin. Green was suspended for one game as a result of the incident, but that didn’t stop him from getting revenge later that year when he helped his Warriors team beat James’ Cavaliers in the NBA Finals Since then, the two have continued to trade jabs at each other, with green once saying that he “doesn’t believe” James is better than Michael Jordan .

3) Kevin Durant vs. Russell Westbrook This is a relatively new beef , but it’s already one of the most heated in recent memory. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder for eight seasons before Durant left for the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The two were once close friends , but their relationship has soured in recent years as they have become bitter rivals . The two have exchanged plenty of jaw-dropping moments , but things reached a new low earlier this season when Westbrook yelled at Durant after he hit a 3-pointer in Durant’s hometown of Washington D.C .