The 20 Most Annoying Players in NBA History

We love the NBA. And if you're reading this right now, then we're guessing that you love it, too. But there are some things about the Association that really, really, really piss us off sometimes. Charging calls? Yeah. Referees who miss super obvious calls? Of course. Commentators who JUST WON'T STFU AND LET US WATCH THE DAMN GAME? Um, obviously. But you know what annoys us more than any of those things? Annoying players.

Take Christian Laettner, for example. Laettner—who turns 44 today—started annoying us way back in 1992 when he somehow managed to weasel his way onto the Dream Team, and he didn't stop annoying us until…well, come to think of it, even though he retired back in 2005, he still annoys us every March when we have to hear about how awesome he was back at Duke. But he's not in a class by himself. There have also been dozens of other annoying players who have played in the NBA over the years like Raja Bell, Danny Ainge, etc, etc. So in honor of Laettner's birthday, we just narrowed them down to the 20 Most Annoying Players in NBA History. Prepare to be thoroughly annoyed.

RELATED: The Dirtiest Players in NBA History

Years: 1996-present
Career stats: 25.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.8 APG
Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers
Annoying Highlight

You could take any great NBA player, past or present, and plop him down in this spot on the list. From Michael Jordan to LeBron James, legendary NBA players are inherently "annoying" because of how great they are. Unless if they were or are on your favorite team, then there's a good chance that you've been burned by them once or twice, and there's nothing more annoying than that. But we chose to single out Kobe because of his ball-hog ways, tendecy to place blame on his teammates, and he took annoying to a whole new level when he incorporated his now-infamous "scowl" into his game. It drives us, and all of the Kobe haters out there, crazy.

Years: 2004-present
Career stats: 6.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG
Team(s): Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics
Annoying Highlight

For the first five years of his NBA career, Humphries didn't annoy us at all. In fact, we really don't even remember seeing him much back when he was balling for the Jazz, Raptors, and Mavericks. But then he got traded to the Nets in 2010, started dating Kim Kardashian, and became a real pain in the ass for NBA fans everywhere. And things only got worse once Kardashian and Humphries broke up and started the divorce process. Couple that with the fact that Humphries somehow convinced the Nets to sign him to a two-year, $24 million contract last summer and, yeah, we're beyond annoyed at this point. Fortunately, Humphries was recently banished to the rebuilding Boston Celtics for at least one season, which means we won't have to hear much from him for awhile.

Years: 1984-2003
Career stats: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG
Team(s): Utah Jazz
Annoying Highlight

There aren't many YouTube clips of Stockton floating around out there. And the ones that do exist seem to highlight all the positives aspects of his game. But make no mistake about it: The NBA's all-time assist and steals leader knew how to annoy the hell out of opposing players. He was sneaky on the court, knew all the tricks of the trade, and frequently infuriated other players by throwing cheap shots when the refs weren't looking. Was he great? Of course. But just about everything about him was also pretty annoying.

Years: 1996-2009
Career stats: 6.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.2 APG
Team(s): Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs
Annoying Highlight

Take a look at Bowen's career stats again. Not exactly earth-shattering numbers, right? They didn't have to be, though, because Bowen wasn't known for his offense; he was known for his defense. He was also known for playing extremely dirty basketball and for doing whatever it took to get under the skin of opposing players. He did manage to build an entire career off it, despite his paltry stats. But Bowen was one of those guys that we hated to see go up against the superstar on our team, because we knew that we were in for 48 minutes worth of cheap shots and great defense.

Years: 2004-present
Career stats: 7.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.1 APG
Team(s): Cleveland Cavaliers
Annoying Highlight

Although Sideshow Bob, er, we mean Anderson Varejao has toned down his act in recent years, he spent the first half of his career playing the role of a flop artist. He also made a habit out of drawing technical fouls by instigating fights with other players and then putting his hands up in the air once a referee came over and got in on the action. In recent years, he's actually become a pretty respectable basketball player, and we think he could shine next season now that he's got a semi-solid supporting cast surrounding him. But he's not going to be able to shake the reputation for being annoying that he gained when he first came into the league.

Years: 2005-present
Career stats: 11.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.0 APG
Team(s): New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls
Annoying Highlight

We'll be the first ones to admit that Robinson can be really, really, really fun to watch out on the court. What he did during the 2013 NBA Playoffs with the Chicago Bulls was nothing short of amazing. But we can't help but think about how good Robinson could be if he didn't act like such a jackass on the court all the time. He could be a starting point guard in the NBA. But because he's struggled to get along with his teammates and coaches at times, he got removed from the Knicks' rotation for 14 games in 2009 because Mike D'Antoni didn't like his attitude. He then spent his career jumping from one team to the next. There's nothing more annoying than watch a talented guy waste it. We hope he can capitalize on last season.

Years: 1981-1995
Career stats: 11.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.0 APG
Team(s): Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers
Annoying Highlight

Like a lot of guys on this list, Ainge was a player who you would've loved to have on your team. But you hated him whenever your team went up against his. Why? Well, because he was a tough player who didn't back down from anyone. Michael Jordan? Nope. Mario Elie? Nope. Tree Rollins? Nooooooope. He threw elbows, landed cheap shots, and did whatever he could to irritate them all. And in doing so, he annoyed both those players and all of the opposing NBA fans out there.

Years: 1999-present
Career stats: 14.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.9 APG
Team(s): Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers
Annoying Highlight

If you'll notice, we're not talking about Metta World Peace here. We love MWP and think he offers a lot to the league. But back at the beginning of his career, when he was still going by Ron Artest, he was very annoying. He routinely scrapped with other players, barked at fans, and in general, didn't give a flying fuck when it came to conforming to whatever rules the league had in place. That entertained some NBA fans out there. But by the time Ron-Ron was involved in The Malice at the Palace in 2004, it was clear that he was doing more bad than good for his image. We're glad he finally decided to turn himself into a more likable dude a few years later.

Years: 2000-2012
Career stats: 8.8 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.5 APG
Team(s): San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats
Annoying Highlight

If Bell wasn't so damn annoying, he probably wouldn't have lasted in the league for as long as he did. He was a marginal scorer and a pretty weak player on offense, and he didn't wow anyone with the numbers he put up on a nightly basis. But Bell could do two things well: Defend the perimeter and annoy the hell out of superstars like Kobe Bryant. But his stop-my-guy-from-scoring-by-any-means-necessary approach to defense rubbed a lot of people the wrong way and earned him a bad reputation around the league. And we won't even get into all of the ridiculous flopping...

Years: 2003-present
Career stats: 19.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.1 APG
Team(s): Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat
Annoying Highlight

Chris Bosh in Toronto? Not annoying. Chris Bosh in Miami? ANNOYING. And it happened almost overnight. Shortly after the ink on his new contract dried, Bosh used his newfound celebrity to make appearances, well, everywhere (who can forget this super awkward Maxim photo shoot?). And it hurt his reputation around the league more than it helped it. Today, Bosh still gets clowned by fans more often than he gets cheered. Just think, if only he had re-upped with the Raptors for another few years and not put himself under the South Beach microscope.

Years: 2004-2011
Career stats: 5.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.3 APG
Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets
Annoying Highlight

There's nothing more annoying than someone who gives a nickname to himself. And that's exactly what Vujacic did when he was with the Lakers back in 2008. Even worse was the actual nickname that he picked. The Machine, bro? THE MACHINE? Sigh. Don't think we forgot about the hairband or his engangment to Maria Sharapova either. What was 'ol girl thinking?

Years: 2002-present
Career stats: 14.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.0 APG
Team(s): San Antonio Spurs
Annoying Highlight

There's a reason why Ginobili is one of only two players ever to win a Euroleague title, an NBA title, and an Olympic gold medal (the other is Bill Bradley). That reason? He can play ball. But he also can flop. And flop. And flop. And flop. And flop some more! Seriously, the guy pretty much single-handedly forced David Stern to pull the trigger on an anti-flopping rule in the NBA because he flopped so much throughout his career. Even worse, he showed other players that flopping could be used to their advantage and has them flopping, too. All of that has turned into too much flopping in the NBA. And we blame Ginobili for it.

Years: 1986-2000
Career stats: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG
Team(s): Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks
Annoying Highlight

The 7.3 PPG that Rodman averaged during his NBA career are deceiving. He was most definitely not a scorer. What he was was a nuisance on the glass, in the paint, and could frustrate opposing players and make them reach their breaking point. From Frank Brickowski to Karl Malone to Shaquille O'Neal, Rodman repeatedly got under the skin of his opponents. That was great if you were a fan of one of the many teams that Rodman played for. But if you weren't? Then you likely hated Rodman and his colorful hair.

Years: 1989-2005
Career stats: 11.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.1 APG
Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Sacramento Kings
Annoying Highlight

Got 48 hours to kill this weekend? Go on YouTube and type in "Vlade Divac" and "flopping." If you think guys like Manu Ginobili are bad, they've got nothing-NOTHING!-on the king of flopping. No one has, does, or ever will flop quite like Divac. He is the Godfather of Flopping. Kiss the ring.

Years: 1981-1994
Career stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG
Team(s): Detroit Pistons
Annoying Highlight

Thomas was a great player. During his storied career, he won two NBA titles, made 12 NBA All-Star appearances, and was eventually inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. But unless you were a Pistons fan back in the 1980s, you probably hated Thomas. And quite a few of his fellow players thought the same thing. In fact, last year Michael Jordan admitted that he was ready to skip the 1992 Olympics if the U.S. Olympic committee picked Thomas to play for the Dream Team. "That was one of the stipulations put to me," he said in an NBA TV Dream Team documentary. "That Isiah wasn't part of the team." That's when you know you're annoying.

Years: 1992-2005
Career stats: 12.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.6 APG
Team(s): Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat
Annoying Highlight

People hate Duke basketball players and Laettner was arguably the most hated of them all. So even though he didn't really do anything all that annoying during his NBA career—outside of underperforming at times and, of course, stealing a spot on the 1992 Dream Team—he never really stood a chance. He could have played one year and then given up basketball forever and he would still deserve a place on this list. That's what happens when you decide to go to Duke.

Years: 1993-2005
Career stats: 8.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.5 BPG
Team(s): Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks
Annoying Highlight

On the one hand, we sort of feel bad for Bradley. For all we know, he wanted to be, like, a bus driver when he was little but quickly realized that he couldn't fit his behind the wheel of a bus once he grew up. So instead, he did the only thing that 7'6" guys are really qualified to do. We can't help but look at a guy who grew to be 7'6" and think, "WHY ARE YOU SO BAD AT BASKETBALL?!" It was literally annoying to watch Bradley take the court and suck as bad as he did. He eventually found a role in the NBA and stuck around for a dozen years.

Years: 2004-Present
Career stats: 18.3 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.5 APG
Team(s): Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets
Annoying Highlight

When Howard is actually on the court and playing basketball, he's not annoying at all. It's actually a delight to watch him play. He sucks at the free-throw line, and his low post game is getting better. But inside the paint, he's an absolute beast on both ends of the court. When he's not playing basketball, though, Howard is easily the most annoying basketball player in the NBA right now. From his multiple trade demands to his lack of decisiveness, the last two years have been filled with fails for Howard. It's frustrating to see a guy like him, who could be one of the best players in the league right now, do some of the things he's done. We hope all of that is behind him now that he's running with the Houston Rockets, but we wouldn't count on it.

Years: 1989-2005
Career stats: 20.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.5 APG
Team(s): Indiana Pacers
Annoying Highlight

Miller holds a rare distinction. He annoyed us both when he was in and out of the league. Back in the 1990s, he did it as a member of the Pacers by antagonizing Spike Lee (and millions of Knicks fans around the country) and calling the Knicks choke artists. And today, he does it by making cheesy jokes and talking on and on and on during NBA games as a commentator for TNT. Hey, if nothing else, he's consistent, right?

Years: 1980-1994
Career stats: 12.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.0 APG
Team(s): Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons
Annoying Highlight

Bill Laimbeer's job was to be annoying. Sure, the "Bad Boy" Pistons counted on him to do other things, like score a few points, grab some rebounds, and hustle his butt off to get loose balls. Ayo! But they also paid him millions of dollars to make sure that players on opposing teams were thoroughly annoyed by the time they were done playing the Pistons. And he did his job well. He elbowed people. He got in his fair share of cheap shots. Hell, he even put Larry Bird in a sleeper hold once. It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it.