NBA Players You Love to Hate But Want on Your Team

The view of the casual basketball fan has always featured the idea that the NBA is a star-driven league, but some of the most important players are the role players that get on every fan's nerves. Some of these players draw ire from basketball fans with bouts of flopping and dirty play. Their ra-ra, all in your face celebration might cause you to turn off your television in anger and frustration. They might be annoying as opponents, but when your favorite team needs picks one of them up, these players come in and draw love from home crowds with their energy and passion for the game. If players like the Indiana Pacers' Lance Stephenson or Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers are available at the right price, they are an absolute must-have for any NBA team. From Shane Battier to Joakim Noah, here is a look at the NBA Players You Love to Hate But Want on Your Team.

RELATED: The Most Hated Player on Every NBA Team

Team: DeMarcus Cousins
2013-14 stats: 48 G, 22.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.3 BPG

There aren't many players in the NBA more surly than DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings. His altercations with players like Mike Dunleavy are classics. His well-known and controversial decision to prevent teammate Isaiah Thomas from shaking hands with Chris Paul drew headlines earlier this season as well. Even though he can be volatile, Cousins is a double-double machine. If the Kings can find a way to build some solid pieces around Boogie Cousins, they're sure to rise in the standings in future seasons.

Team: Indiana Pacers
2013-14 stats: 53 G, 14.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 5.2 APG

It's hard to find a player with the right mix of showboating and flopping in the NBA. Lance Stephenson might just be at the top of the list in all three categories. With all of those negatives flashing right in front of fans, it's not a shock that Stephenson draws some hate. On the other hand, Stephenson's abilities have made him a League Pas favorite this season. Born Ready is a shoe-in for the Most Improved Player award with career-highs in nearly every category that you could imagine right now.

He will have fans Instagram commenting and tweeting asking him to sign with their team this offseason when he enters into free agency. Every team needs somebody that's not scared of anyone.

Team: Toronto Raptors
2013-14 stats: 39 G, 5.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG

He can even take it into the MMA arena based off of this tackle of the Chicago Bulls' Mike Dunleavy recently. His hard fouls and overtly-physical play makes him a hated player by fans around the league. Just ask Miami's Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen how "Psycho T" gets down. Hansbrough brings a level of toughness that can bolster any bench in the NBA. His occasional scoring, rebounding, and relentless energy is helping the Raptors as they prepare to make their first playoff appearance since 2008.

Team: Sacramento Kings
2013-14 stats: 31 G, 2.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG

Reggie Evans will never be a fan favorite for his flopping on the court. One thing going for Evans is that he's one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Players with the nose for the ball are a rare breed and his talent has helped him lead the league in two different seasons in Total Rebounding percentage. He's a great teammate and his energy can help inspire others to play harder.

Team: Golden State Warriors
2013-14 stats: 29 G, 9.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.2 SPG

Blake is a quality role player that anyone would love to have. He can run an offense efficiently. After being acquired in a trade deadline deal recently, he's bound to help the Golden State Warriors this season with his veteran play. They've been missing Jarret Jack and Blake's basketball IQ will help fill that void. If you don't feel like he's an important player, just check out Kobe's reaction to him being traded.

Team: Indiana Pacers
2013-14 stats: 55 G, 7.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.9 APG

Luis Scola is known for bouts of flopping which makes him a target for hate from fans. He's also had more than a few altercations with other basketball players. Outside of all of the red flags that might upset fans, the Argentine power forward has fit in nicely with Indiana. He's provided a solid offensive boost off the bench and has played an integral part in Indiana's continued success this season.

Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
2013-14 stats: 56 G, 8.9 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.6 APG

The flopping aspect of diminutive guard J.J. Barea's game is probably one of the least fun experiences in the NBA. He's been fined before for his actions so at least he's gotten his comeuppance. One thing Barea does well is score despite his small stature. The waterbug point guard will be forever remembered for his role in the Dallas Mavericks' 2011 championship season. Barea has moved onto Minnesota where he's been able to still score amongst the trees on a regular basis.

Team: Memphis Grizzlies
2013-14 stats: 29 G, 10.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.9 SPG

Tony Allen can be the master at annoying opponents with his ferocious defense. He also can get on the nerves of opposing fans with plays like his flops and the time he kicked Chris Paul in the face. If Allen's on your team, you will feel absolutely different. He's been one of the best defensive players in the NBA for most of his career and he's represented the Grit and Grind motto that has revolutionized the Memphis Grizzlies franchise.

Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2013-14 stats: 39 G, 7.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.7 APG

Blake Griffin always seems to be getting picked on by his NBA peers. Luckily for him, he has forward Matt Barnes to hold him down. Barnes' ability to space the floor from the three-point line and his defensive intensity are a necessity for any squad. He's also willing to commit a hard foul or start a fight for his teammates. Just don't forget that he's not standing up for them anymore from now on. It's time to start saving some money.

Team: Houston Rockets
2013-14 stats: 38 G, 9.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.4 SPG

Patrick Beverley became public enemy number one in Oklahoma City when his pressuring of Russell Westbrook during a stoppage in play led to a serious injury to the Thunder's All-Star. Beverley received death threats for injuring Westbrook and was mercilessly booed on the road during the Rockets playoff series with OKC. Despite all the hate, Beverley is a key role player for Houston. His pressure on the ball is exciting to watch and he's skyrocketed to become one of the most nagging perimeter defensive players in the NBA currently.

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2013-14 stats: 48 G, 8.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG

A veteran flopper in his own right, Anderson Varejao has built his reputation in the NBA as a quality big man for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's extended his jump shot further out to the free-throw line, his offensive game has improved overall, and he's always been an effective defender. Now if only he could leave that sorry Cleveland franchise. All the other 29 teams would want Varejao on their roster.

Team: Miami Heat
2013-14 stats: 48 G, 4.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.9 APG

One of the worst floppers in the NBA has to be Shane Battier. He might annoy fans with his acting but he gets the job done. Battier might not wow you with his statistics (he hasn't averaged double figures in eight years), but he's very important to the Miami Heat. The two-time NBA champion has done all the dirty work for the Heat since he was acquired two years ago. He guards the best opposing players while frustrating them with his propensity to take charges. Battier eases LeBron's workload. Shane is the perfect role player for winning franchises.

Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2013-14 stats: 46 G, 17.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 BPG

Pau Gasol's "soft" play usually makes him an easy target. That doesn't eliminate the fact that Gasol has a vast amount of talent on the offensive end of the court. It's a well-known fact that Gasol will garner major interest from fans and teams when he hits the free agent market this summer. D'Antoni never knows how to utilize a low-post threat. The Knicks would trade Amar'e for Pau in a heartbeat.

Team: Brooklyn Nets
2013-14 stats: 47 G, 6.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.5 APG

The Big Ticket is not the big draw and superstar that he once was. Knicks fans probably don't love the Carmelo Anthony, Honey Nut Cheerios story or him allegedly calling Charlie Villanueva a cancer patient. Even though those rumored moments don't paint Garnett in the best light, he's the ultimate team player. After a long career, he looks nearly finished but his veteran experience and positive energy would make any team happy to have him.

Team: Chicago Bulls
2013-14 stats: 53 G, 12.0 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Whether it's drawing hate from fans or spending time arguing with his opponents, Joakim Noah's fiery demeanor stands out instantly. That passion for the game is what makes Noah a very special player. Noah goes hard for all 48 minutes of the game if need be. He's also nice on the court skill-wise. His effort and energy draws constant praise from Bulls fans who would never want to see him go. All the fans who dislike Noah would instantly jump for joy if Noah joined their team. If there's any player that can upset Miami Heat fans on a consistent basis, it's this guy.