15. Zaza Pachulia
We start not gently but in secret, in vice, in whore. There are entire compilations of the gestures of bastard Georgian pivot trickster. But his step closer to Kawhi Leonard marks an important turning point in recent NBA history. Not so much because of the fault itself – much less spectacular than the rest of the classification – but for its terrible consequences.
Leonard hardly ever played for Spurs again. He was injured on this dangerous action, only returned for 9 matches the following season and the management of this affair led him to request his transfer from San Antonio to Toronto. All this to lead the Raptors to their first coronation in 2019.
We can never repeat it enough, putting your feet under the cylinder of a guy in extension, when it’s voluntary, it’s really a bastard thing.
14. Ron Artest
One of the most violent nudges in recent years. But what’s intriguing about this story is that we wonder what really went on in the head (who wouldn’t like to know what’s going on in his skull?) of Ron Artest, alias Metta World Peace at the time. For once, he did not really fit his name.
Artest had just landed a massive dunk on Serge Ibaka and he looked determined to celebrate with an angry fist. But… why this nudge so gratuitous???? In fact, the player repeated several times afterwards that he had no idea James Harden – his unfortunate victim – was behind him. He was so in his world that he claims not to have realized it. Hence the fact that he pleads his case with the referees on the spot.
The NBA did not joke with Artest and gave him 7 suspension matches. His reputation probably didn’t help him in this story.
13. Shaquille O’Neal
There must have been nastier fouls than this in NBA history. But on the other hand, just imagine that a Shaq of 2.15 meters and 130 kilos (uh… 150?) comes into you at full speed when you measure 1.83 meters for 84 kilos.
12. Derek Fisher
Hey, another Lakers player. Definitely. Afterwards, when we know that Luis Scola is never the last to put the blows on the sly, we imagine that Derek Fisher wanted to send a message.
11. Mardy Collins
When Madison Square Garden turned into a boxing ring. It all starts with a butcher’s fault by Mardy Collins, which sends JR Smith to the ground. The latter immediately got up and everything went into a spin. A general melee, just two years after the traumatic fight between the Pacers and Pistons supporters at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
The irony is that Smith, victim on the first contact, took 10 suspension matches against… 6 for the Knicks player.
10. Alonzo Mourning
We remain in the fight with once again players from New York. Except that there, it is Alonzo Mourning who is at the origin of the scuffle with this completely absurd judo take. Ah, the NBA the old way, it was still a hell of a delirium.
9. Bill Laimbeer
A little for all of his work. The master of vice, who illustrated the “bad boys” of the Pistons so well.
8. Robert Horry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LT_C7o5ZGM
You don’t always need to put your hands or feet (we’ll get to that) to hurt an opponent. A big, badly placed hip kick – finally well placed for the shot – it can send more than one to the mat. Steve Nash fell for this disgusting gesture from Robert Horry.
Again, this fault had rather dramatic consequences. But not even for Horry. Rather for the Suns. By getting up from the bench, outraged, Amar’e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw broke NBA rules. They were therefore suspended for one game. A decisive playoff meeting which undoubtedly cost the series, and even probably a title, in Phoenix.
So we can’t say for sure that Mike D’Antoni’s players would have won in full. But it must be particularly infuriating to lose in these conditions after suffering an attack like Horry’s.
How Steve Nash and the Suns were robbed of an NBA title
7. Raja Bell
We stay with the Suns. And their watchdog, Raja Bell. Considered the “Kobe stopper”, the back of Phoenix has morfled on this first round of the playoffs. Bryant walked him around several times. And maybe Bell just freaked out because he was tired of taking shots in the face.
6. Marvin Williams
A chokehold while his opponent is in the air. Purely free, especially since the Celtics were heading for victory and were going to knock the Hawks out of the playoffs. Marvin Williams just wanted to make someone pay. It fell on Rajon Rondo. Strangely, Kevin “Bar Fight” Garnett didn’t react more than that.
5. Jerry Stackhouse
Like Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal didn’t try to assassinate his opponent after eating a space foul. Admittedly, he got up furious before Dwyane Wade calms him down. Above all, when he saw that it was Jerry Stackhouse at the origin of his gliding flight, he calmed down. And that says a lot about Stackhouse, which has quite the reputation in the industry. He notably hit Allen Iverson and Kirk Snyder.
4. Karl Malone
We have the feeling that Karl Malone just wanted to beat the shit out of Isiah Thomas. He could have almost punched her in fact. Finally, it is his elbow that hits the face of the leader of the Pistons, while the latter was already in the air! If that’s not intentional and premeditated…
Thomas remained on the ground for a long time, bleeding. He needed 40 stitches. His face was so swollen when he got home that his wife even started crying when she saw him. Dirty.
3. Andrew Bynum
Horrible. Here again, a completely gratuitous attack. Bynum does not even seem to regret his gesture on the spot since he takes off his jersey and goes to the locker room before the referees even bother to send him off. The cold blood of the killer what. He knows what he just did, he knows what awaits him and he doesn’t care. Like nothing ever happened.
2. Kevin McHale
Kevin McHale thought the Celtics were too soft. He wanted to provoke a reaction. But the violence of the attack towards Kurt Rambis. A real fault of madman which again causes a beginning of general fight. In any case, ironically, it paid off since his teammates found a desire to revolt afterwards.
1. Bruce Bowen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edb6bz_C9ms
Ever seen a guy contest a shot with his feet? We, yes. Bruce Bowen. An absolutely improbable and super dangerous action that could have ripped Wally Szczerbiak‘s head off.
