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The NBA and controversies always seem to go hand in hand. This year, even before the regular season began, Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey raised a storm when he tweeted out in support of the Hong Kong protesters. The NBA was having their preseason matches in China and this did not bode well for the NBA and raised a huge controversy before the season began.
Just like the league, the players too have a knack of being very controversial. From getting into it with referees to Malice at the Palace, the free-for-all brawl that happened between the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers and a bunch of fans, the players are never too far behind with more controversies. With a new decade upon us in 2020, here are the 5 most controversial players in the NBA right now.
#5 Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder)
While Chris Paul might also be known as "Point God", he is not the favorite teammate of a lot of players, let alone be loved as an opponent. He is one of the most hard-working players in the NBA and does not let anything or anyone get in between him and winning. This sort of never die attitude always leads to beef between players and Paul is no stranger to one.
His most long-lasting feud has been with Rajon Rondo, who is also a controversial figure in the NBA. Rondo and Paul have said to have started fighting all the way back in 2008, when Rondo did not get a call-up for Team USA and Paul did.
Tensions lay dormant until last season, when Rondo allegedly spat on Paul during an altercation with the Los Angeles Lakers players, leading to suspensions for both players. Paul has also been involved in numerous spats with players like James Harden, Russell Westbrook but none like the one with Rondo.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Atlanta Hawks interested in OKC's Steven Adams
#4 Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets)
Russell Westbrook is an 8-time All-Star, who has won the MVP award in 2017 and has averaged a triple double for 3 whole regular seasons, let alone in a few matches. Nobody can match his raw athleticism and his sheer will to win and defeat anyone in his path. Such a fiery attitude to his game was always bound to cause controversies, be it with the media or the players.
His most famous beef has been with Damian Lillard, against whom Westbrook always plays with a chip on his shoulder. They are always trash talking each other and trying to one-up the other. The famous "rock the baby" celebration on Lillard, in the playoff series last year, is still fresh in most minds.
Westbrook has also had an ongoing feud with Patrick Beverley of the Los Angeles Clippers. Beverley is known for being a tough defender and his never give up attitude, always ending up as a thorn in the opponent's side. But Westbrook does not believe this, saying that Beverley cannot defend and mentioned Harden scoring 47 points on him.
While these feuds do not seem to have an end, Westbrook is they type of player who will start another one tomorrow if someone or something rubs him off the wrong way.
Also read: 5 Active players with the most NBA All-Star selections
#3 Rajon Rondo (Los Angeles Lakers)
Rajon Rondo is one of the most divisive figures among fans and critics alike in recent memory. There is no question about how good Rondo was, but of late, his numbers have been inconsistent, giving his critics a chance to call him out. But one thing that does not seem to stop is the on court controversies he courts.
He had his run-ins while playing for the Boston Celtics, where he fought with Doc Rivers, leading to Rivers leaving to coach the Clippers. He then joined the Dallas Mavericks and had a conflict with head coach Rick Carlisle. He had another controversy with the referee at the Sacramento Kings. He has been on the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans after that, joining the Lakers last season.
Recently, Rondo had a fight with Chris Paul, where it looked like after the verbal altercation with Paul, Rondo spat on the player, leading to a 3 game suspension. Rondo is still a Laker this season, but it seems like the next controversy is never too far away.
#2 Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Joel Embiid is one of the most talented players in the NBA and probably the best Center in the league right now. He can create plays for the 76ers, he can space the floor, he is an absolute monster in the paint and a big nuisance on the defensive end of the floor. But with all this talent also comes the showboating.
Embiid is known for causing controversies, both on and off the field. One of his longest feud was with the Detroit Pistons Center Andre Drummond, who Embiid managed to thoroughly embarrass. Since the Pistons face the 76ers 4 times in the regular season, it was an ongoing topic throughout and Embiid had the last laugh.
His most recent scuffle was with Karl-Anthony Towns this season, where the two players got into a heated altercation and were ejected from the game. The feud did not end there as the 2 players got into it on social media as well and Embiid again managed to have the last laugh. Controversies seem to follow Embiid with ease.
#1 Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat)
Jimmy Butler has started off this season on fire for the Miami Heat, dispelling any thoughts his critics had about his recent issues with team chemistry. He has managed to make the locker room a better place with his presence and is currently leading the Heat from the front. The Heat are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference, with a 28-12 record.
Yet, Butler is probably one of the most controversial figures in all of NBA right now. After his public spat with Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of the Timberwolves roster last season, Butler has spent more of his time aggravating his opponents this season than his teammates.
His most recent altercation was with TJ Warren of the Indiana Pacers, where both players got into a scuffle on the court and had to be separated. The very next play, Butler got called for an offensive foul but Warren was the one ejected for taunting, leading to Butler then blowing him goodbye kisses.
Butler also called Warren "trash" and "soft" in the post game interview. This is just one of the many controversies Butler has caused and this has only cemented his place as one of the most controversial players in the league right now.
Guess the Lakers players!
