biggest trash talkers in nba. A survey of 108 NBA players released by The Athletic before Phoenix's Game 2 win Tuesday ranked Booker fourth among NBA players for trash talking. biggest trash talkers in nba

 
 A survey of 108 NBA players released by The Athletic before Phoenix's Game 2 win Tuesday ranked Booker fourth among NBA players for trash talkingbiggest trash talkers in nba  Start the day smarter

Players use it to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents, and it has become an integral part of the game of basketball. Check it out. Vote up the. SI Staff. Biggest Trash talker. Start the day smarter. Trash-talking is a colorful and controversial aspect of NBA culture, with certain players earning a reputation for their ability to verbally spar with opponents. “Generally, I don’t talk trash,” Bird told The Athletic in 2019. MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid talks about one of one of the best trash talkers in the league from the Phoenix Suns. Athletes like Patrick Beverley, renowned for his defensive prowess, shared his list of the top five trash talkers in the NBA during an interview with GQ. Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and MJ are all classic trash talkers. Jalen Ramsey, cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars. "Draymond. The Hall of Famer sportingly replied to the tweet. ‘The Answer’ was also one of the game’s top trash-talkers and lit up games with his words. The trash talk of Joel Embiid often extends from the on-court action to the social media world. TEAMS. Publish date: Aug 6, 2022 12:14 PM EDT. Larry Bird was one of the best trash-talkers in the history of the NBA. These days many people don’t mention Cassell when they talk about other great players from his era. LARRY BIRD. Bird is a legendary trash talker. Robinson says Butler is one of the biggest trash talkers in the NBA. So with that track record, it's clear the Kobe is one of the biggest trash talkers in NBA history. If only the NBA let us hear all the trash-talking in-game, that would be the icing on the cake. The 25+ Best NBA Trash Talkers, Ranked. Larry Bird apparently wasn’t in the Christmas spirit 30 years ago. During his interview, Patrick Beverley listed several NBA stars, including Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Luka Dončić, and Russell Westbrook, among the top trash talkers in the league. Chael Sonnen may be a good trash talker, he may be a tremendous comedian, but his quote about failure on The Ultimate Fighter is one of the few times that Sonnen pulls back the curtain and shows his true colors as one of the best competitors in the game. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports. Green, a noted trash-talker himself, asked legendary yapper Payton who the biggest trash. Conor McGregor, UFC. Taylor openly said the warning wouldn’t stop him. One of the greatest small forwards ever. Voting Rules. He established himself as a superstar in the league, but also as one of the fiercest competitors and biggest trash talkers in the entire association. Odell Beckham Jr. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is among the biggest trash talkers in the NBA, according to an anonymous survey of 108 players conducted by The Athletic. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is one of the NBA's best trash talkers, according to. He has been following the NBA for more than a decade and represented his state at the National. Colby Covington is known for saying some crazy things and being one of the biggest trash talkers in mixed martial arts. Reggie Miller Talked Trash to Michael Jordan Once. Inside the NBA. Publish date: Aug 6, 2022 12:14 PM EDT. Watch any NBA game and you'll see plenty of trash talking. When talking about some of the biggest trash-talkers in the history of the NBA, the usual suspects are guys like Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, and more. The four-time NBA champion was recently asked about. In case you didn't know, trash-talking in sports, well, it's an art form. m. Garnett made sure he didn’t forget his adversary Tim Duncan. Draymond Green and Joel Embiid are two of the best trash-talkers in the NBA. But Morant has flair and incredible skills that he combines with bold confidence. So he worked on. Larry Legend, outside of being one of the greatest basketball players ever, was also a legendary trash talker. Then, there's the Netflix basketball documentary The Last Dance (2021),. Leave it Zion Williamson to help confirm that. MJ is now considered one of the biggest trash-talkers in NBA history, and even though he took inspiration from Larry Bird, Jordan took it to the next level, trash-talking everybody he competed. The players on this list may not all be the most skilled or NBA 75-worthy, but they excel at getting under opponents' skin and providing a laugh for the fans. Many people think that Green is the biggest trash-talker of the modern era. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is among the biggest trash talkers in the NBA, according to an anonymous survey of 108 players conducted by The Athletic. Ewing heard all of it first-hand, and considering how he played against some other big trash-talkers in the NBA, it seems safe to bestow the trash-talking crown to Jordan and Bird. Legend has it that Reggie Miller’s lines were the only to ever get a rouse out of Michael Jordan. Table of Contents. ing Christmas". Kevin Garnett reveals the guys who were more than happy to spar with words on the court during his NBA career! From the full episode of Unleashed, presented. Many people struggled to understand him but that didn’t stop him from offering his two cents. Gary Payton. Everyone lauds "The Hick From French Lick" as one of the most savage trash talkers in NBA history. While most of these tiers include past players, there are some current stars who haveSean Avery is the King of the Trash-Talkers, according to a headline in the New York Times. Low-key, Luka Doncic. Isiah Thomas was part of that Pistons group that often gave the Celtics fits. Jun 30, 2023. Inside Look into the NBA's best Trash Talkers from 91/92 season with a Magic Moment of Larry Bird nailing a game winner over Xavier McDaniel. Only a few months after that, Stoudemire was yet again living up to his reputation. But Larry Legend often played the long game as well, his most devastating trash talk simply being the Indiana State alumnus telling the poor soul. WWE has been the biggest wrestling promotion for quite some time and in turn have had some amazing trash talkers come through the doors at Titan Towers. . ‘The Answer’ was also one of the game’s top trash-talkers and lit up games with his. Bird was dominant during the 1980s and would always put on a. Green stated that KD was one of the biggest trash talkers since he came into the league. In an era where trash-talking wasn’t penalized, Johnson definitely knows those trash-talkers who knew how to get under their opponents’ skin. But the Maine native was a brilliant athlete and one of the most clutch stars of his day. Patrick Beverley. Kevin Garnett will long be remembered as one of the fiercest competitors and biggest trash-talkers to play in the NBA. ESPN. NBC Sports. According to ESPN, Jordan once told an opposing player that. “Tommy was always in the first base dugout in Wrigley Field and Tommy always had a lot of colorful language towards me for about nine innings,” Grace said. Former teammates would tell stories of him telling his opponents the move. Top clients: Agency: BDA Sports Management. When talking about some of the biggest trash-talkers in the history of the NBA, the usual suspects are guys like Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, and more. NBA "Trash Talking" MOMENTS showcases some of the greatest trash talkers throughout recent NBA History. Published 04/01/2022, 5:30 PM EDT. Check out the NBA's biggest trash. 2. Larry Bird. Television. He talked trash to opponents, coaches, his own teammates and also silenced the. “I’m going to get the ball right here and I am going to shoot it right in your face,” Larry Bird to Xavier McDaniel. He is a 3x NBA champion 3x League MVP and the BIGGEST trash talker ever. For this piece, let’s rank the 10 biggest NBA villains of all time. 5) Reggie Miller. Since he entered the NBA in the 1979-80 season he had a big game that came with equally big smack skills. . Golden Hoops Merch: provided by Epidemic SoundThis video features players like: Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Kla. Grace followed up with a great story about his biggest trash talker, Tommy Lasorda. Zoom in: On the question of who talks the most on-court trash, Booker took fourth place with 7. "Tom Brady [is] one of the biggest trash talkers all of time," Williams wrote. Trash-talking has always been a part of NBA action, with some of the most memorable players also. 5 of 25. 10. Only 1 in 4 sports fans say they’ve never trash talked before. Here are the greatest trash talkers in NBA history. Stephen R. KD [Kevin Durant] for sure. . A list of the NBA's biggest trash talkers of the past and present, from Michael Jordan to Kevin Garnett to Dillon Brooks. Bird, a white man himself, took offense to being guarded by other white basketball players because he grew up. But even though Pierce is legendary for talking throughout his 18-year NBA career, he wasn’t considered the best when The Times conducted a poll on the best trash-talkers in the league. Kobe Bryant is widely regarded as one of the fiercest competitors to have ever played the game. (To Chuck Pearson after saying he was going bird hunting): "Merry f…. Subscribe to The. Bird, a white man himself, took offense to being guarded by other white basketball players because he grew up. Iverson was once one of the NBA’s best guards and spent his prime years with the 76ers. While some legendary trash talkers followed them, there's a decent chance that nobody will ever be able to match the brazen confidence that this duo had. . Appearing on GQ’s Actually Me, the 76ers guard answered questions from fans, which included offering his take on which players are the NBA’s “biggest trash. George also spoke about Leonard's presence on the floor, and gave a hilarious answer about the lack of trash talk that he receives due to the respect other players have for him. 7. The Biggest Trash Talkers at the Rio Olympics. Recently voted the NBA's biggest trash-talker right now, Golden State Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green as the ability to get beneath the skin of nearly every one of his opponents—unless. For the most parJan. But the modern version of the Memphis Grizzlies are on a one-team mission to change this. Original: Oct 12, 2023. Although Jordan was the Bulls’ trash talk king, Scottie Pippen delivered the franchise’s greatest line. Most importantly, Williamson’s inability to stay healthy and actually in lean shape has. I think you start to realize it now with the more he talks on Twitter or the more he's caught saying stuff to fans in the stands, KD. Michael Jordan Hilariously Revealed Details Of His Trash Talk Against His Sons. 4. Draymond Green is the best trash-talker in the NBA. Trash talk is always going to be a part of sports, especially when one is in a game setting. It includes players such as LeBron James, Russell Wes. With this in mind, he is truly the GOAT of trash talking. Selling wolf tickets. Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. On Tuesday, he crossed the line. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 17 of 17 Posts. During his interview, Patrick Beverley listed several NBA stars, including Draymond Green,. Trash-talking is sort of a lost art in the NBA nowadays, but back in the '80s and '90s, Jordan and. After the subject of NBA trash talkers came up, Beverley provided his own top five list, which unsurprisingly included himself. Open comment sort options. After the subject of NBA trash talkers came up, Beverley provided his own top five list, which unsurprisingly included himself. In an episode this week of his podcast for “The. Ewing heard all of it first-hand, and considering how he played against some other big trash-talkers in the NBA, it seems safe to bestow the trash-talking crown to Jordan and Bird. Green looked James dead in the face and called him a “b—-. One of the greatest players in NBA history, Larry Bird, was one of the biggest trash talkers back in the day. Yeah book has been a huge trash talker. In fact, Luca admits that he likes it when players trash talk to him as it only pumps him up and gets him going. The New Orleans-area native previously covered the NBA's Utah Jazz (The Salt Lake Tribune) and. However, since both players no longer play for the Chargers, it appears a new name has emerged as not only the biggest trash talker for the Chargers but one of the. Rich Paul. When the NHLPA asked players around the league who is the worst trash talker in the NHL, 5. Gilbert Arenas was widely considered one of the biggest trash talkers in the game during his time. Veteran NBA fans often complain that there are fewer trash talkers in the modern game. Zoom in: On the question of who talks the. It therefore should barely be a surprise that a 2010 poll by Sports Illustrated voted Bryant one of the biggest trash talkers in the NBA. on Marquee Sports Network. “But I especially don’t talk trash to Dee. The NBA has seen hundreds one-on-one fights through its many years of basketball history, but it is the all out brawls among teams, players, coaches, and sometimes even fans, that remain etched in our collective. 7. Check out the NBA's biggest trash. Larry’s trash talk came from his incred. Draymond Green. McGregor is “Notorious” for his trash talk, never wasting a chance to fling some insults at his opponent. Bird did not take any prisoners as well. Around 2015 (at least I think it was 2015), there was a poll that has current players choose who they think is the biggest trash talker. Dallas Mavericks TV analyst Brian Dameris gave his unfiltered thoughts on Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden before Friday's game began. He talked trash to opponents, coaches, his own teammates and also silenced the. List of 15 Best Trash Talkers in NBA History 1. At All-Star media day Saturday, Williamson was asked who's the best trash talker in the league. Seeing players getting into word fights especially during heated moments in the game wheneverything’s on the line, and mouthing off is something we’re all us. He won an. The guard was known for talking about people’s mothers, personal situations, and underground scandals. . Michael Jordan. The top 7 NBA trash-talkers. Larry Bird -- "He was the king time and again, including that All-Star Game when he sauntered into the locker room before the 3-point contest and asked. Grizzlies get picked as league's biggest trash talkers. Professional wrestling has countless performers who are amazing at talking trash to an opponent. However, the league has seen its fair share of ruthless talkers over the years. Who is the best agent for a basketball player to have in his corner? $111,321,339. Trash-talking is an integral part of a lot of sports including basketball. 2. In a YouTube video posted by GQ Sports, Philadelphia 76ers guard Patrick Beverly revealed his list of the biggest trash-talkers in the NBA that includes Draymond Green and Kevin Durant (starts at. . Dallas Mavericks TV analyst Brian Dameris gave his unfiltered thoughts on Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden before Friday's game began. • 9 yr. Reliving NBA's trashiest moments. Green isn't shy to go against anybody in the league and yell whatever goes through his mind at any moment, which is why he was named the biggest trash-talker in the NBA by other players. Morant is one of the most confident young players in the NBA today. LaMelo Ball - 5-year, $205 million. Listen to his two-minute rant, where he says Harden. Sixers’ Patrick Beverley names NBA’s biggest trash talkers, including himself · 1h Blazers PG Scoot Henderson’s defiant ‘starstruck’ take on facing Kevin Durant proves he’s bound for. , boxing has enjoyed some of the best trash-talkers in sports. They get. . 7. Draymond Green, known for his excellent defensive skills, is also a superb communicator on the court. Golden Hoops Merch: provided by Epidemic SoundThis video features players like: Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Kla. He is a 3x NBA champion 3x League MVP and the BIGGEST trash talker ever. Draymond Green Calls Kevin Durant NBA’s Biggest Trash Talker. The art of trash talking has become a part of the culture of the NBA, and it has been embraced by players and fans alike. Maybe trash-talking does the trick. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is among the biggest trash talkers in the NBA, according to an anonymous survey of 108 players conducted by The Athletic. Garnett won with a mind. 5. . of trash-talking. The Brooklyn Nets' Spencer Dinwiddie defeated Chicago Bulls rookie Lauri Markannen in the finals of the 2018 Taco Bell Skills Challenge to bag the crown. Larry Bird’s NBA achievements are legendary. Metta World Peace. Taylor was even warned by the NFL about his trash talk in 2011. Low-key as hell. Television. Dillon Brooks: 14. Johanna Huybers. – Rasheed Wallace to absolutely everyone. O. The 3x NBA champion was not just ruthless with his words, he went to extreme lengths to crush his opponents. That’s good enough for fourth-place, which makes it back-to-back seasons in. Their young roster is amazing at. The Three Best Trash Talkers in NBA History NBA Trash Talker #3: Michael Jordan. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. So much so that in 2010, he was voted one of NBA's biggest trash talkers in a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated. He was not afraid to express his opinions or challenge anyone, which made. In this story: Miami Heat. “Michael is the biggest trash talker that you’ll ever meet. Draymond Green, known for his excellent defensive skills, is also a superb communicator on the court. Catch Cubs 360 Daily, presented by Miller Lite weeknights at 6 p. We can all recall his friendly words for Michael. . While most of these tiers include past players, there are some current stars who have A survey of 108 NBA players released by The Athletic before Phoenix's Game 2 win Tuesday ranked Booker fourth among NBA players for trash talking. With good reason. 1. Pacers forward Chuck Person had done a little bit of trash-talking before the game. Ja Morant - 5-year, $197 million. When you combine trash talk and the physical nature and high emotions of an NBA game, things can sometimes get out of control. Patrick Beverley has garnered a noteworthy reputation as a trash talker throughout his NBA career. 1. Reggie Miller. Check out the NBA's most legendary trash-talkers here. He famously trash-talked Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Larry. In a surprise guest appearance for GQ, NBA veteran Patrick Beverley sat down for a segment of 'Actually Me,' where athletes and other American celebrities go undercover to react to fan discourse. They are even backup by huge fan bases from all over the world. However, Miller's hilarious personality has often made up for his trash talking, but it wasn't nearly enough to eliminate him from this list. During his 13-year NBA career, Larry Bird talked the talk and walked it out harder than Andre 3000's verse on the remix of DJ UNK's song by the same name. Rose played with Miller with the Pacers, so he saw first. Kobe Bryant. Trae Young - 5-year, $215 million. Reggie Miller Talked Trash to Michael Jordan Once. Golden State Warriors anchor Draymond Green says Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is the NBA's best trash talker. Check out the NBA's biggest trash. The three-time NBA Champion was also one of the biggest trash-talkers in the league for two decades. 1. Kevin McHale gets called for a bogus foul that pissed him right the fuck off and he's jawing at. During his 13-year NBA career, Larry Bird talked the talk and walked it out harder than Andre 3000's verse on the remix of DJ UNK's song by the same name. Durant and Green won two back-to-back NBA championships in the 2016-17 and 2017-18. ‘The Answer’ was also one of the game’s top trash-talkers and lit up games with his words. He is a 3x NBA champion 3x League MVP and the BIGGEST trash talker ever. Check the rest of the 25 Greatest Trash-Talkers in Sports History. SPORTS. Draymond Green Retains Biggest Trash Talker Title According to Current NBA Players. MLB. Devin. Entertainment; San Francisco News; The NBA’s Biggest Trash Talkers: Draymond Green, Kevin Garnett And MoreNBA Forum. Russell Westbrook has a multi-faceted personality and is also a fashion icon apart from being. But, what are the biggest NBA controversies of 2022? Which 2022 NBA controversy drives you crazy? So far, multiple big name NBA players have caused controversy in 2022. #5 Kobe Bryant. Evan Fournier recently told Tidal League that Green is the biggest trash-talker in the NBA. Talking with Today, Jordan and his son Jeffrey talked about their duels, with the Chicago Bulls legend explaining that trash-talking was a common thing in the Jordan household. C. He then received. Mike Tyson- Had a couple explicit interviews on ESPN about opponents. The fame went to Odell Beckham’s head long before he was a television star. Reggie Miller. Author: Jayden Armant. NBA Legendary Loudmouths: Ranking The NBA’s Loudest Trash-Talkers Of All Time. By. The thought got me wondering who would bring the most ruckus spectating from. SCORES. During World War I, the Transjordanian tribes fouMorant is one of the most confident young players in the NBA today. Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s rivalry has been well-documented. . They're also two of the 10 toughest, icons who mentally eviscerated their opponents as they. Perhaps more than any other Boston Celtics great before or since, The Hick From French Lick (as Larry Bird was lovingly called as a nickname) could get in his opponent’s head with trash talk. 6. In a surprise guest appearance for GQ, NBA veteran Patrick Beverley sat down for a segment of 'Actually Me,' where athletes and other American celebrities go undercover to react to fan discourse. He was one of the biggest trash talkers in the NBA during his day, but more often than not, he’d back everything up. (To Chuck Pearson after saying he was going bird hunting): "Merry f…. trueDaGuys pull up to Dallas dressed as Jackie Moon and Semi-Pro characters, but run into trash talkers who got aggressive and physical FAST!Full Video Here: htt. So when I’m on the other side, I tell all my teammates, do not talk trash. October 13, 2023 2 min read. Larry Bird’s NBA achievements are legendary. According to the 12-year veteran, there are at least five players who deserve to stand in a class of their own in that department. 8. In the first minute of the video, he was asked who the biggest trash talkers in the NBA are: "Draymond [Green] for sure. The 80s Celtics were my favorite trash talkers that don't get enough credit for it. Author: Jayden Armant. Larry Bird- Was known as one of the biggest trash talkers of his era. Change language & content:These are some of the best. Talking smack. 2) Deion Sanders. Allen Iverson. Cassell could talk the hind leg off a donkey and regularly did so. Cassell could talk the hind leg off a donkey and regularly did so. -4. Bird’s response: “Yeah, at the end of the Bulls’ bench. CFB. For a player that flirts with. Jan 19, 2010. "Larry Bird is the greatest trash talker and mind-game player of all time," Jordan said. . S. But the modern version of the Memphis Grizzlies are on a one-team mission to change this. Check out the NBA's biggest trash. Larry Bird is arguably the biggest trash-talker ever. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F. Joey Porter and the Biggest NFL Trash Talkers. Yes, Booker is one of the biggest trash talkers. Out of all the players called out by Beverley, Draymond Green's inclusion was the least surprising. Although Jordan was the Bulls’ trash talk king, Scottie Pippen delivered the franchise’s greatest line. “Michael is the biggest trash talker that you’ll ever meet. The NBA has a history of trash talkers, but by far the biggest one was Larry Bird. There are even more stories about Bird roasting his opponents and many other NBA greats will admit Bird was the biggest savage of them all. He famously trash-talked Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. The New York Knicks guard noted Green has taken over from Kevin Garnett, who previously held that title. One of the meanest things she said was about Festus Ezeli, the center for the Portland Trailblazers. A list of the NBA's biggest trash talkers of the past and present, from Michael Jordan to Kevin Garnett to Dillon Brooks. When asked the top reasons why they trash talk, the top choice was for fun (56%), followed by a bad call that was made (52%), and to let off some steam (28%). That is apparent with the recent poll of current NBA players who listed Stephenson fifth among the NBA’s biggest trash talkers, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic: 1. Kevin Garnett. Share Sort by: Best. Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the fiercest trash talkers in NBA history. But the Glove was also one of the biggest trash-talkers ever in the league's history. Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Josh Hart listed forward Brandon Ingram and point guard Briante Weber as the team's biggest trash talkersESPN. The players on this list may not all be the most skilled or NBA 75-worthy, but they excel at getting under opponents' skin and providing a laugh for the fans. Karl Malone was fouled with nine seconds left in a tied Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals. He famously went head-to-head with Kobe Bryant during the 2001 Finals as the Sixers pushed the Lakers to the brink. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is among the biggest trash talkers in the NBA, according to an anonymous survey of 108 players conducted by The Athletic. Zoom in: On the question of who talks the. One of the questions in the interview was about the best trash-talkers in the NBA. Yeah, the guy is a piece of work. Other*: 13. Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images. The three-time NBA Champion was also one of the biggest trash-talkers in the league for two decades. Recently, Patrick Beverley who is infamous for his antics on the hardwood shared his top-5 best trash-talkers in the NBA. We all know about the Spike Lee/Knicks moment, but Reggie was a loud-mouthed player who never. While Green’s suspension was the biggest news on the eve of a possible series clinching win by the Warriors, talk of the trash-talk that bothered James was a hot topic as well. If anything Miller was surely one of the biggest NBA villains. Draymond Green is often the subject of a lot of jokes,. Reggie Miller. By Gavin Evans. Draymond Green: 26. Hats off to one of the NBA’s most infuriating talents. The three-time NBA Champion was also one of the biggest trash-talkers in the league for two decades. Joel Embiid and JJ talking about best trash talkers in the NBA, Joel says to be a good trash talker you have to back it up, unlike in Embiid’s words, Patrick Beverley. Bird, a white man himself, took offense to being guarded by other white basketball players because he grew up. The NBA playoffs are heating up, and so are tempers on the court. The Golden State Warriors legend has engaged in big battles with other players and knows who are the best ones when it comes to trash-talking. Watch your moths Steelers fans! According to a new survey, Steeler fans are among the NFL’s top trash talking fans. The Big Ticket was a force on both offense and defense, and his ability to get into his opponents' heads only made things. Patrick Beverley Lists Kevin Durant as One of NBA's Top Trash Talkers. Should the NHL expand the playoffs with an NBA-style play-in round involving the 7-10 seeds in each conference? Yes: 2 No: 14. Kevin Garnett, also known as “The Big Ticket”, was a force to be reckoned with both on and off the court. His relentless energy and intense competitiveness made him one of the most fierce competitors in NBA history.