The NBA has long been known as the League of Stars, so perhaps—it shouldn’t come as a surprise that its top players have developed some oversized egos and crybaby tendencies to go with them. Let’s take a look around the Association today and call out 10 of the most egregious drama queens it has to offer.
LeBron James
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – APRIL 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on April 12, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Yes… We know. LeBron James is arguably one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Okay, he’s probably the best. But he’s also downright addicted to his on-court complaints and dramatic reactions.
The man can’t do anything but lobby for calls and flops these days. And it actually gets worse than that. He regularly bickers with fans and creates a massive distraction with his stunningly immature (for a man of his age) behavior.
After all, you don’t end up getting your face plastered all over the internet as a “crybaby” meme without, well, being a huge crybaby.
James Harden
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 05: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers reacts after drawing a foul on a three-pointer against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on February 05, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
There are few people who have created as many enemies at work as James Harden. If it were an office job, he would no doubt have been fired by now…
But alas, he has turned his unique ability to draw fouls, also known as complaints to the referees, into a Hall of Fame career.
That doesn’t excuse the frequent flopping and exaggerated reactions to contact, which have earned him a reputation as one of the biggest NBA players who is a crybaby!
Draymond Green
HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 04: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets defends Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Toyota Center on April 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Advertisement
No one knows tantrums like Draymond Green! The Warriors star has gained a reputation for his defensive prowess and fiery personality, but his constant arguing with referees and opponents often overshadows his play on the hardwood. A notable incident occurred in the 2016 NBA Finals when his on-court antics… you know…his addiction to hitting opposing NBA players in the nuts, then acting like he is somehow the victim, and the subsequent technical fouls culminated in a suspension that many believe cost the Warriors the championship.
Joel Embiid
Now, I don’t fully blame Joel Embiid for this because he does get hung all over by opposing NBA players like a young Shaq, but the man loves… and I mean, he loves to complain. He is a dominant force in the paint, but his frequent complaining to referees and opponents has earned him a spot on this list.
Chris Paul
During his prime, Chris Paul was undoubtedly a masterful point guard with a high basketball IQ, but over the course of his career, his reputation started to be tainted by his tendency to exaggerate contact and argue with referees.
Credit to him for making the most of the twilight of his career with the Finals run he led the Suns on in the 2021 playoffs, but Paul’s demeanor on the court was still preposterous to watch from a third-party point of view and frustrated opponents and fans alike.
Luka Dončić
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 11: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to a foul call by referee Nick Buchert #3 against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on March 11, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Anyone who watched this year’s NBA Playoffs knows two things:
Luka Dončić is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA and probably one of the best players in the world today—and he is pathologically addicted to complaining to referees. So much so that it has been a point of contention and a huge distraction for his team.
Marcus Smart
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Marcus Smart #36 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum on October 30, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Marcus Smart is an interesting one because, like Draymond Green, he is known for his tenacious defense, hustle, and toughness, but on the other side of that coin is a reputation for flopping and exaggerating contact, which has understandably made him a target for criticism from fans and other NBA players. This was evident during the 2020 playoffs with the Celtics when Smart’s theatrics against the Toronto Raptors drew widespread attention, turning him and his team into a lightning rod and leading to calls for stricter penalties on flopping.
Russell Westbrook
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers argues his foul with referee Nick Buchert #3 during a 112-100 Phoenix Suns win in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook’s intensity and competitive nature are well-known, but his frequent outbursts and arguments with referees have also become a hallmark of his career. It isn’t just the referees either… Anyone can get it. Just ask the fans in Utah, who regularly find themselves on the wrong side of the ornery point guard.
Trae Young
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 03: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks argues a technical foul during the second half in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at State Farm Arena on July 03, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Trae Young has quickly become one of the league’s top scorers and, alongside, one of the league’s biggest crybabies. I’ll give him a slight pass because he is so undersized and is among the shortest NBA players today, but his relentlessness in begging for foul calls and complaints when he doesn’t get them is exhausting to watch as a fan.
Kyrie Irving
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The media may have gotten obsessed with the “Kyrie has matured” narrative this past postseason, but we can’t publish this list without including the talented, but at times, troubled, Kyrie Irving.
His career has largely been marred by controversies and immature behavior—whether it is complaining about teammates, refs, coaches, or geopolitical concerns—it is always something, and he has to be on here!