The 20 Fattest Players in NBA History

Image via Complex Original

Basketball isn't one of those major pro sports where you can really afford to slack on your fitness. You can't doze off in the outfield or spend half of the game on the bench while your teammates play defense. These facts make it all the more amazing that ballers like Eddy Curry—who turns 29 today—can be considered clinically obese yet not only make it into the league but receive contracts upwards of $60 million. So, from Oliver Miller to Glen "Big Baby" Davis, here are the 20 Fattest Players in NBA history...

RELATED: An Awesomely Awkward Oliver Miller Photo Gallery

20. Khalid El-Amin

Years: 2000-2001
Team(s): Bulls
Peak Playing Weight: 200 lbs.

When your squad wins the NCAA tournament, damn-near everyone on the team gets shine and has a shot at making it to the league. Such was the case for Khalid El-Amin when UConn beat Duke for the championship in 1999. He was drafted in the second round by the Bulls but only played a total of 50 games in the league. Sidebar: Considering how short of time he spent in the league we're surprised action shots of him in the NBA actually exist. #basedgodrare

19. Derrick Coleman

Years: 1990-2004
Team(s): Nets, 76ers, Hornets, Pistons
Peak Playing Weight: 250 lbs.

Derrick Coleman was a solid player for the Nets in the early '90s, but after a trade and stints with the 76ers, Hornets and Pistons he became known for his lack of focus. In other words homie got lazy. His lack of production, weight gain, and multiple injuries led to the Pistons cutting him and effectively ending his career in 2004.

18. Brian Scalabrine

Years: 2001-2011
Team(s): Nets, Celtics, Bulls
Peak Playing Weight: 250 lbs.

Don't get us wrong, we love Brian Scalabrine just as much any other fan. But he's out of shape and makes us wonder how they hell did this dude who looks like the 40-year-olds in our rec league made it into the NBA much less stayed for a decade. Oh yeah, that and we still believe he's a virgin.

17. Boris Diaw

Years: 2003-present
Team(s): Hawks, Suns, Bobcats
Peak Playing Weight: 250 lbs.

Looks can be deceiving. Being listed at 6-8 250 lbs may seem respectable for an NBA player but a big part of it is how much of that weight is muscle compared to fat. When Boris played at the World Games in France in the summer of 2010 it was clear that the added weight he put on came as a result of Krispy Kreme not protein shakes. Now that the lockout's over it'll be interesting to see what kind of shape Mr. Diaw shows up to camp in.

16. Zach Randolph

Years: 2001-present
Team(s): Trail Blazers, Knicks, Clippers, Grizzlies
Peak Playing Weight: 260 lbs.

During this past season's playoffs, Zach Randolph showed what kind of effect maturity and determination had for his career. Just a few years earlier he was known for being pudgy, having attitude issues, and a few run-ins with the law like his DUI arrest back in 2009. He credits his turn around to the LenDale "No Patron" White diet he went on. OK, that last part isn't true but it could be. No DUIs since then and he isn't looking as hefty.

15. Craig Smith

Years: 2006-present
Team(s): Timberwolves, Clippers
Peak Playing Weight: 265 lbs.

Craig Smith wasn't one of those hyped up players going into the 2006 Draft, but since being picked 36th overall he's put in quality minutes as a role player. He's played in 75 or more games in four out of five seasons. So, his nickname "Rhino" seems pretty appropriate based on his size and work ethic. Sure beats Hungry Hungry Hippo.

14. Sean May

Years: 2005-2010
Team(s): Bobcats, Kings
Peak Playing Weight: 270 lbs.

Fresh off winning a NCAA championship with the Tar Heels in 2005 and being named the Most Outstanding Player of the tourney, May entered the league with high expectations. But microfracture surgery in his second season changed forever changed him. the time he sat out with injuries led to weight gain and a lack of stamina. He had another short stint with the Kings before heading overseas. See, it isn't only Average Joes who say everything went downhill after college.

13. Popeye Jones

Years: 1993-2004
Team(s): Mavericks, Raptors, Celtics, Nuggets, Wizards, Warriors
Peak Playing Weight: 275 lbs.

Dude's name is "Popeye" and he played at one point with a obese BMI (body mass index) of 30.2. You can't make this stuff up.

12. Greg Ostertag

Years: 1995-2006
Team(s): Jazz, Kings
Peak Playing Weight: 290 lbs.

When it comes to NBA players, they don't get much more white and goofy than Greg Ostertag. The fact that he spent over a decade in the league and spent all of those years with the Utah Jazz just makes things better. He's just another example of how the Average American Joe can make it into the league, too. Oh yeah, if they're 7-foot-2, of course.

11. Al Jefferson

Years: 2004-present
Team(s): Celtics, Timberwolves, Jazz
Peak Playing Weight: 293 lbs.

One of the biggest ties to players gaining weight are injuries. When athletes weight too much for their frame, they're more prone to injuries. When they've missed a lot of time due to injury they're of course going to gain weight. Al Jefferson became familiar with both of these scenarios in 2009 as he battled knee injuries. His weight gain caused him to play at a nearly 300 lbs despite usually being closer to 250.

10. Jerome "Big Snacks" James

Years: 1998-2010
Team(s): Kings, Sonics, Knicks, Bulls
Peak Playing Weight: 300 lbs.

In one of the worst signings in sports history, the Knicks inexplicably gave Jerome James $30 million over five years. "Big Snacks" rewarded them by playing in a total of two games for five minutes during the 2007-08 season. Isiah Thomas has to hold some record for the most terrible front office moves during his tenure.

9. Bryant Reeves

Years: 1995-2001
Team(s): Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies
Peak Playing Weight: 300 lbs.

Some people can make millions just from their frame and size alone. At 7 feet 300 lbs, Bryant "Big Country" Reeves was one of the most hyped white players to enter the league. His size and the thought that he could be a white version of Shaq led him to be picked sixth overall in the 1995 draft. After a few respectable seasons, he received a six-year, $61 million contract in '97. By 1998 he gained weight, developed back problems and had to retire in 2001. SMH, $61 million can buy a whole lot of fast food...

8. Glen Davis

Years: 2007-present
Team(s): Boston Celtics
Peak Playing Weight: 300 lbs.

Glen Davis is one of the few players on this list who hasn't been hampered by his weight (yet). The big boned and pudgy power forward was actually a significant role player in the Celtics championship run in 2008. That being said, he still has had a ton of fails...

7. Charles Barkley

Years: 1984-2000
Team(s): Sixers, Suns, Rockets
Peak Playing Weight: 300 lbs.

Despite all the jokes make about Chuck's weight, there's no denying that dude was a beast during the '80s and '90s. The Hall of Famer won the MVP in '93 and was a member of the Dream Team. So, while people poke fun at Sir Charles (yeah, you Bron Bron) there's no denying that Barkley goes down as one of the best "Big Men" in NBA history.

6. Shawn Kemp

Years: 1989-2003
Team(s): Sonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Magic
Peak Playing Weight: 300 lbs.

In his prime, Shawn Kemp was up there with some of the best physical specimens in the game. Word to Alton Lister. But during his latter years dude started to blow up, showing up to the Cavs summer camp weight 275 lbs. in '99. He'd continue to gain and by the time he was out of the league he was considered obese. Yup, drugs and lots of baby-mama drama will do that to ya.

5. Robert "Tractor" Traylor

Years: 1998-2005
Team(s): Bucks, Cavaliers, Hornets
Peak Playing Weight: 320 lbs.

The late Robert Tractor Traylor was another big man in whom scouts saw Shaq-like potential during the '90s. He was picked sixth overall in the '98 Draft by the Bucks ahead of guys like Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce. Sadly his career never developed into much and he was out of the league less than a decade later. Traylor died of a heart attack in Puerto Rico in May of this year. At the time he was playing for the Vaqueros de Bayamón. R.I.P.

4. Michael Sweetney

Years: 2003-2007
Team(s): Knicks, Bulls
Peak Playing Weight: 348 lbs.

SMH, were the Knicks just putting out tons of "Help Wanted" ads asking for overweight lazy players in the early 2000s? New York picked Michael Sweetney ninth overall in the 2003 Draft only to see him play a total of 42 games in his rookie season. After the next season he was traded to Chicago and out of the league all together by 2007.

3. Eddy Curry

Years: 2001-present
Team(s): Bulls, Knicks
Peak Playing Weight: 350 lbs.

You know that saying "You're worth your weight in gold?" Well, that's the only reasonable explanation for why the Knicks decided to give Eddy Curry one of the worst contracts in sports history. A six-year $60 million deal got the Knickerbockers a lazy, overweight excuse of a player who in 2008 only played in three games and scored a total of five points on the season.

2. Shaquille O'Neal

Years: 1992-2011
Team(s): Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavs, Celtics
Peak Playing Weight: 360 lbs.

Shaq is no doubt one of the most dominant players to take to the hardwood. The four NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, and 15 All-Star selections speak for themselves. But there came a point when Shaq's BMI (body mass index) became way higher than any points per game average. His last years with the Cavs and especially the Celtics were pretty painful for Shaq and our eyes.

1. Oliver Miller

Years: 1992-2000
Team(s): Suns, Pistons, Raptors, Mavericks, Kings
Peak Playing Weight: 375 lbs.

Some people are fat and great at what they do. Legends like Big Pun and Biggie never let their weight prevent them from reaching greatness, in fact, they used it to their advantage. Unfortunately that wasn't the case for Oliver Miller, who ballooned to way over 300 lbs. during his career, limiting his stamina and mobility over the years. Instead of having a lengthy career in the league, he spent a lot of his years in the ABA, CBA and overseas. Miller most recently made headlines for pulling a gun at a barbecue...*insert fat joke here* #tooeasy