Top 5 Meanest NBA Veterans of All-Time
Veterans are pivotal to a young player’s success in the NBA. Rookies are often tasked with responsibilities that the older, more experienced players do not have to attend to, but at one time they did. All these tasks — no matter how silly — should instill some type of value lesson, notice the keyword should. There have been stories throughout the history of the NBA were rookies have been mistreated, some would argue that the NBA turned a blind eye to the alleged rookie haxzing, but nonetheless, it is impossible to say that every veteran player was perfect.
As the NBA has evolved into a more offensive, free-flowing game, the demand for the defensive prowess and mental toughness has declined; an intangible that was pivotal in the ‘glory days’ of the NBA.
These five players that we discuss embody the mental fortitude that propelled them to the best of the best in the NBA. Unfortunately, the transfer of intangibles was not picked up by the appointed protégés of these endeared NBA vets, in which these young whippersnappers had to see a different side of the hero that they had heard all about.
Check out the Top 5 Meanest NBA Veterans of All-Time
5. Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley was a no-nonsense kinda guy, a man’s man, you do not mess with Charles Oakley. As strong as an ox, as smart as a fox, Oakley know what it takes the get to the top of the food chain and stay there, that’s what he was trying to tell Metta World Peace in this hilarious NBA vet story.
4. Kobe Bryant
All of the men on this list are no nonsense, but Kobe Bryant by far was not the one to mess with. Chasing greatness in Michael Jordan, Kobe set himself apart from the rest through his work ethic. Bryant barked at all of his teammates, challenging them to get on his level. Even the most dominant player in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal, did not have the same work ethic as Kobe Bryant; as good as he was, and Kobe let ’em know it. This Lou Williams story encapsulates, in Kobe’s words, “what is was like to play with Kobe Bean F****g Bryant”
3. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett is the definition of talk the talk and walk the walk. A force since he came into the league out of high school, Garnett has always been one of the toughest players in the league, physically and mentally. His post moves will wear you down… but the trash talk after he buries the left hook? Absolutely deflating. As Zach Lavine tells this authentic story of KG in his essence, you have no choice but to laugh and say “yup… that’s him”
2. Michael Jordan
The Great of All Time, is it no question that is was excruciatingly nerve-wrecking to play with Jordan. One mistake felt life-threating, as his alpha-male attitude breeded fear not only in his opponents, but his teammates. This video below encapsulates how intimidating Jordan was, as the creator asks questions to Jordan’s teammates throughout his entire NBA career. One thing his consistent throughout all these accounts, each man genuinely feared Jordan.
1. Draymond Green
Draymond Green has a well-documented history of his struggles with teammate chemistry. Green’s abrasiveness, and friendly-fire altercations certainly set the standard for this list, but the altercation rising star Jordan Poole catapulted him to the top of it. In the video below, we see chirping between the young Poole and veteran Green. Poole is then approached by Green before he pushed Green. Draymond then retaliates with a right hook that knocks Poole out cold. Green has since apologized for his actions, but has since severed the relationship between him and the rising star.
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Top 5 Meanest NBA Veterans of All-Time was originally published on wrnbhd2.com
