Skull Gang: The 10 Ugliest Heads in NBA History

Image via Complex Original

YEARS: 1998-present

No lie, we're big Al Harrington fans. Dude's been in the L since the last century (literally), but he still looks and acts like a young player (with good and bad results: Al's 6'9" but never seen a three-point shot he wouldn't take). Plus he was a leader in the cheap shoes revolution, which we can respect, even if we don't rock 'em. But we've got to give him an ugly head salute: Yes, there's probably enough spare change in the folds in his melon to buy a pair of Proteges, but your man has never once grown his hair out, and he's even drawn attention to it on occasion.

YEARS: 2007-present

Remember that scene in Casino where they put the card cheat's head in a vice to get him to talk? We're thinking Joel might've had an early audition for that role that got a little too real. And then Mike Tyson nibbled on his ears. And on top of all that, his hairline's gone past recession and straight to depression — and he's not even 30 yet. Oh well Joel, at least you're in the Conference Finals!

YEARS: 1968-81

Unseld is one of the all-time greats: Rookie of the Year, MVP (in the same season, no less), 1978 Finals MVP, and at just 6'7", one of the toughest, meanest centers in the game's history (as evidenced by the ice grill in this photo). It's said he modeled his tenacious game after his eyebrows, which were constantly fending off attempts by his proceeding hairline to take over his entire frickin' face. "The eyes! Don't let them get to the eyes!"

YEARS: 2006-present

Shelden's a Duke man, so he's valuable to his team(s) for what's between his ears as much as his physical skills. What's between his ears? Celery sticks, some grape tomatoes, a little ranch dressing...his ears are like friggin' cauliflowers, get it? Also, his eyes are so far apart that his court vision is in 4D. #gointohellforthisone #wesaid"valuabletohisteam" #hehehehe

YEARS: 1990-2003

Tyrone Hill's a nice guy. He was a heck of a rebounder, even made the All-Star game once. He's also got a winning smile...and a coconut that only a mother could love...and a face that might've actually looked better after Charles Oakley slapped it.

YEARS: 1993-2008

According to Wikipedia, Sam Cassell was born in Baltimore, MD in 1969. His Basketball Reference page confirms it. But we're not so sure. Looking at that shiny bald head of his, we think he grew up on Reese's Pieces in Drew Barrymore's closet. Phone home!

YEARS: 2003-present

Dude eats spaghetti in the postgame hot tub. He picks banjo with city slicker raftin' types. We're pretty sure he was a byproduct of a collision between a meth lab and a '72 Chevy Blazer. Then there was the whole headband thing. How soon should we expect the Steve Blake Breaking Bad cameo?

YEARS: 2008-present

Greg Oden isn't really 70 years old, he's just built that way. His knees have self-destructed, his career seemingly over before it even got a chance to start. (Although hey — who knows, we hear the Suns doctors can do miracles and he'll be a free agent soon enough.) But the former No. 1 pick doesn't just have old legs — he's got a head that makes us wonder whether he was the first pick in 2007 or 1967.

YEARS: 1987-2004

1994 was an interesting year for Scottie Pippen. In his first year without Michael Jordan, he had a lot of ups, and a few downs (including the most infamous sitdown in NBA history). And then there was his curious decision to shave his head (and wear red shoes!) for the All-Star game, where he won the MVP and informed every person who would ever cut his hair that no, it would not be a good idea to let him expose his wrinkled skull to the world ever again.

YEARS: 2001-present

Shane is a very, very intelligent man. How do we know this? Because he went to Duke (where the photo above was taken), and because his middle name is Courtney, and you gotta be pretty savvy to make it through life with the name Shane Courtney Battier. He's clearly also a very careful man. How do we know this? Because he's made it to the age of 32 without the benefit of a skull. Yes, folks, that is his actual brain showing through the skin on his head!