NBA Most-Hated Teams: Fans have been known to despise teams over the years for being overtly dominating or for employing dishonest strategies. To be honest, who among us would be so passionate about a team as to pay to see them get destroyed? While this kind of activity is common in every competitive sport, some supporters go a little too far with it.
Because they were so powerful in their respective eras, teams like the Chicago Bulls under Michael Jordan or the Boston Celtics under Larry Bird were frequently targeted and made fun of by the home side.
These teams aroused not just contempt but outright hatred. The supporters of the other clubs could not bear to see these teams play. As a result, a lot of supporters started jeering these teams and, occasionally, yelling offensive things.
Numerous clubs on this list were the targets of numerous criticisms in addition to fan assaults. The majority of NBA fans held the league’s most loathed teams accountable for its demise.
It might have been due to the already-established systems, the way players played, or the combination of superstars to create “superteams.” Having stated that, let’s examine the NBA most-hated teams throughout history.
The Top 10 NBA Most-Hated Teams in History
Check out NBA most-hated teams in history:
1. 1988-1989 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons of 1988–1989, sometimes referred to as the “Bad Boys of the NBA,” are the NBA most-hated teams in history. The Motor City Bad Boys had a completely different approach to the game and spared no one, although the majority of NBA teams at the time played hardball.
The Detroit Pistons would lash out at any star player on the other side, whether it was Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, or Scottie Pippen.
The Detroit Pistons caused havoc around the league, led by defensive-minded core players. Michael Jordan defeated the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals of that year despite the Pistons’ best efforts to contain star players. This was despite their extremely defensive and aggressive style of play.
As a result, the head coach of the Pistons implied that the NBA had prepared a set of regulations to shield Michael Jordan. This collection of guidelines is commonly known as the Jordan Rules. Many people consider the 1988–1989 Detroit Pistons to be among the best basketball teams of all time, despite their dishonest approach to the game.
You might also be interested in reading this: The Top 5 NBA Youngest MVP Winners
2. 1993-1994 New York Knicks
The 1993–1994 Knicks were one of the NBA’s most respected teams that season because of Pat Riley’s coaching. The New York Knicks were not just a dominant defensive team, but they were also effective on offence. Leading the club as captain Patrick Ewing did, the New York Knicks had postseason success in addition to regular season success.
The Knicks beat the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers in the postseason this year. Similar to the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks were blatantly dishonest and violent. It was obvious that this squad was prepared to go above and beyond to win since they had two of the roughest players on their roster (Charles Oakley and John Starks).
Harper and Jojo English would trade punches during the Knicks’ playoff game against the Chicago Bulls. The end effect of this would be a brawl between the two teams on the court. In the end, a $50,000 fine was paid by both organisations; Harper was suspended for two games and English for one game. The other players who engaged in the altercation were fined $2,500 apiece.
3. 2001-2002 LA Lakers
The 2001–2002 LA Lakers are the third most despised team in the NBA and are perhaps one of the most contentious teams in the league’s history. The Lakers and Kings’ championship run was marred by contentious decisions, missed fouls, and a tonne of free throws, even though they emerged victorious.
Even though the Lakers were a strong team at the time, their performance versus the Kings revealed certain weaknesses. The Kings were the last club the Lakers needed to beat in order to go to the NBA Finals after they had already swept the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs.
After five games in the seven-game series, the Los Angeles Lakers trail 3-2. A lot of commentators think that NBA commissioner David Stern conspired with the officials to make sure that a championship game between the New Jersey Nets and the Kings would not do. He thought low TV ratings would be the major cause of this.
This idea may not have worked, but one thing is for sure: the referee ruined the game. The referee failed to flag obvious fouls committed by the Lakers in addition to calling non-fouls against the Kings. In the end, Game 7 became the most-viewed Western Conference game in NBA history because of the controversy surrounding Game 6. In the end, almost 23.8 million people watched Game 7 on television globally.
4. 2000-2001 Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers were hated by the rest of the NBA, but their local crowd adored them. The Portland Trail Blazers, led by Rasheed Wallace, were a formidable opponent on defence but also a headache.
Unquestionably one of the biggest teams, the Portland Trail Blazers were known as the “Jailblazers.” The club concluded the season with 40 victories out of 60 games with a newly constructed lineup. But once Wells was ruled out of their game against the LA Lakers, the squad would struggle in the postseason. The Portland Trail Blazers were a good team, but their disorderly conduct frequently got the better of them.
In the end, Rasheed Wallace made history that season by accruing 41 technical fouls. Conversely, after making derogatory comments, Bonzi Wells was fined $50,000.
5. 2012-2013 Miami Heat
A star-studded squad in the NBA is loved by no one save the supporters of that particular organisation. The Miami Heat of 2012–2013 met this destiny when LeBron James moved to South Beach from Cleveland. In addition to causing a stir in the NBA, LeBron’s actions turned him into the most despised player.
The Miami Heat were regarded as a super squad by many NBA teams and fans, along with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. As a result, the Miami Heat were constantly subjected to the support of the other club when playing away from home.
Supporters would frequently take personal offence when they could find nothing wrong with any of the main players’ performances. It might have been directed at Chris Bosh’s “soft” style of play or LeBron James’s thinning hairline. The performances of the Miami Heat’s main players were always affected in the opposite direction from what many supporters had hoped—that is, negatively.
In addition to becoming unstoppable, the Miami Heat also took home the NBA title that year.
6. 1985-1986 Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics squad of 1985–1986 is regarded as the best in club history and was a formidable opponent. The Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird, not only captured the NBA championship this year but also established a new team record with a 67-15 record.
The Boston Celtics were not a filthy team, but their all-star roster was the fundamental reason why many NBA fans didn’t like them. Made up of five halls of farmers, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Bill Walton—the team’s MVP—completing the core. Bill Walton had a successful season and won the Sixth Man of the Year title despite having a history of injuries during his NBA career.
Larry Bird ended up taking home the NBA MVP trophy for the third time in a row the same year. Numerous observers believe that this was Bird’s finest NBA season to date. The Boston Celtics would ultimately defeat the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks in the postseason that year.
In the end, the Houston Rockets would be faced by the Celtics, who defeated them in just six games. They became one of the most despised NBA teams because of their incredible run and domination.
7. 1997-1998-Utah Jazz
One thing that can be inferred from Michael Jordan’s Farewell Dance is that the Chicago Bulls were essentially obstructed from winning the title by only one club. The Utah Jazz of 1997–1998 are that team. The Utah Jazz were an all-around squad that excelled in every aspect, in contrast to most teams. The Utah Jazz, led by one of the all-time greats in NBA history, Karl Malone, not only enjoyed a great season but also easily defeated opponents all the way to the NBA Championship finals.
Similar to the Chicago Bulls, they were one of the most despised teams that season due to their winning ways and tight-lock defence. The Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls both had identical records before the playoffs—62 wins and 20 losses.
In addition to Karl Malone, John Stockton, one of the NBA’s least popular players, was a member of the Utah Jazz. In addition to his blatantly immoral antics, John Stockton was a very aggressive player who frequently received a lot of foul calls.
8. 2012-2013 LA Lakers
Irrespective of the NBA season, the LA Lakers have always been among the most despised teams for a considerable amount of time. It’s easy to understand why, with so many championship berths. The Lakers were expected by many NBA observers and supporters to add another championship to their already impressive collection during the 2012–2013 season. The LA Lakers were a flop in spite of having a roster full of stars.
The LA Lakers added Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol to an already strong roster before the season started. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Metta World Peace were the other players on the squad.
The organisation had high expectations for the club to win its 17th title, but injuries, new strategies, and mid-season head coach changes caused the team to suffer in the postseason.
9. 2016-2019 Golden State Warriors
The 2016–2019 Golden State Warriors in the NBA suffered a similar fate to the 1995–1996 Chicago Bulls. The Golden State Warriors were just too good to stop in the two seasons prior when the Splash Brothers were leading the squad. Although the pair was regarded as one of the best by many NBA fans, Kevin Durant’s choice to join the already elite squad infuriated many NBA fans even more.
Given that the Warriors altered the way other teams played basketball, several NBA clubs were not pleased with them. Teams started attempting more three-pointers. Kevin Durant’s decision was viewed by many NBA observers and fans as both weak and an easy route to the NBA Finals.
At the conclusion of the season, Kevin Durant emerged as the NBA’s most despised player.
In addition to Kevin Durant, Draymond Green was another member of the Warriors that many NBA fans liked to despise. Draymond had a reputation for being blatantly dishonest and for talking trash, which frequently led to argumentative exchanges and physical altercations in court.
10. 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls
Based on observations throughout the years, very few NBA fans have a soft spot for winning, dominant teams. It’s difficult to believe that the Chicago Bulls of 1995–1996 are among the most despised NBA teams, even though they went on to become the greatest NBA team of all time. When it came to the Chicago Bulls in 1995–1996—a team that NBA fans loathe, they were unable to defeat them.
The 1995–1996 Chicago Bulls broke the NBA record that season with 72 victories and just 10 losses. The players endured a difficult season on the basketball court, even if this was the best season ever for Chicago Bulls fans.
The fans of the other club frequently taunted the Chicago Bulls while they were on the road. This was made worse by the fact that their team had one of the most despised athletes in history.
These are the Top 10 NBA Most-Hated Teams in History. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
