The 2022 All-Star Game is once again slated to return to Cleveland as a nod to that moment. Jackson has bounced around the league throughout his career, but it hasnt been because of his intensity. Pettit only played 11 seasons in the NBA and was a first-team All-NBA pick 10 times. Hes also the author of one of the single greatest moments in NBA history which revolved around his toughness. Foust, an eight-time All-Star, died in 1984 of a heart attack at 59 years old. He has the most regular-season. McHale is another player who had no fear in tossing around his elbows, and he had no trouble sending a message to anyone going up against him when he deemed it necessary. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, 1971 All-Star MVP, 1969-70 assists champ. Jordan Poole scored a game-high 34 points, 22 coming in the third quarter, the most points scored in that quarter in his career (prev. Most Improved Player. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1992-95), Miami Heat (1995-2002, 2005-08), New Jersey Nets (2003-04), Key stats: 838 G, 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 52.7 FG%. Stats: 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG in 19 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1997-98 to 2015-16). Mournings play was the bottom line when it came to his toughness, but he also had a world-class scowl that went with it, and his glare became synonymous with the rough-and-tumble play of the 1990s. Somehow, LeBron James is still No. Bottom line: Say what you will about Draymond Green, if his career ended tomorrow, you would have to put him in the discussion as the best defensive player of his era. He has won an NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2014, four NBA scoring . If you want to see a player who never doubted his ability at any moment, look no further than Miller. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1991-96), New York Knicks (1996-2001), Key stats: 707 G, 16.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 48.4 FG%. Weve already watched it a half-dozen times today, in fact. Stats: 10.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Baltimore/Capitol/Washington Bullets. Or the likes of Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter. Defensive Player of the Year. An enforcer, McDaniel did well when it came to boosting the energy of whatever roster he was on. Over the course of one season, Haslem lost 50 pounds, returned home and aced his tryout with the Heat. Teammate of the Year. Stats: 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 APG in 16 seasons with New Orleans Hornets (2005-06 to 2010-11), LA Clippers (2011-12 to 2016-17), Houston Rockets (2017-18 to 2018-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20) and Phoenix Suns (2020-21)*. Wallace was named a finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019 but somehow wasnt voted in, furthering the notion that the Basketball Hall of Fame is a joke and needs a complete overhaul if it wants to stay relevant. The 5 most aggressive Chess Players of all time Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 2013-14 MVP, 2007-08 Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star MVP, two-time Finals MVP, four-time scoring champ, two-time NBA champion. In high school, he awoke at 4:30 a.m. to do farm chores and walk two miles to school, where he had basketball practice at 7 a.m. Bottom line: Larry Fousts toughness came in the form of brute strength as a "clear out the block" post player. Hes already a five-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection (in just eight seasons), NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and has won three NBA titles. Listed at 6'6" and 250 lbs, but in truth closer to 6'4", Barkley is the shortest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding, averaging 14.6 rebounds per game during the 1986-87 season. in Game 2, swinging an elbow at Dawkins head and changing the tone of the series as the Blazers rallied for the championship. He had game-changing skills, and thats not something we talk about when discussing point guards very often. Stats: 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG in 19 seasons with Orlando Magic (1992-93 to 1995-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-97 to 2003-04), Miami Heat (2004-05 to 2007-08), Phoenix Suns (2007-08 to 2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10) and Boston Celtics (2010-11). Anyone who has watched him play has taken note of his pre-game ritual of talking to the basket while simultaneously pouring sweat off of him like hes already played a full 48. Johnsons nickname "Gladiator" is one of the most appropriate in league history. Perhaps thats why he was such a valuable commodity. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, 1963-64 MVP, 1960-61 Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star MVP, six-time assists champ, 1971 NBA champion. NBA's 75 greatest players of all time - The complete list - ESPN.com Bottom line: Aside from putting together one of the greatest careers in NBA history, Kobe Bryant also had perhaps the most legendary pain tolerance in the history of the game. Dumars showed no fear when it came to his play on the defensive end, and he wasnt afraid to go hard against anyone who he was lined up against on any given night. Bottom line: Steve Nash seemed like he was made of pure scrap iron for most of his NBA career, bouncing around the court and off of other players like he was inside of a pinball machine. He may have often looked out of place when he played, but thats because he was far ahead of his time. Bottom line: At one point in NBA history, no player was tougher or more intimidating than Larry Johnson, the No. He was intense when it came to his ability to dominate in the low post, and thats something that few big men have been able to properly emulate since he retired. Stats: 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG in 19 seasons with Boston Celtics (1998-99 to 2012-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Washington Wizards (2014-15) and LA Clippers (2015-16 to 2016-17). Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 10-time All-Defensive team, 1994 All-Star MVP, 1994-95 steals champ, six-time NBA champion. The 10 Most Dirtiest NBA Players of all Time - Sportlister Its ironic that Dumars, who has the NBA Sportsmanship Award named after him, was such a key part of Detroits "Bad Boys" teams that won NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. Watch Dwyane Wade. Kyrie Irving Knows He Must 'Be More Aggressive' For Mavs Three teams are well situated (Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings), and Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1968-69 scoring champ, two-time rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. Top 15 Greatest White Players In NBA History - TheSportster Laimbeer was seen as a leader for the bad boy Pistons, so its not a surprise to see his name on this list. Teams: Baltimore Bullets (1965-66), Chicago Bulls (1966-76). Mainly because he wasnt a bully. Every referee that has ever been a part of one of Wallaces game would attest that he should be even higher. Stats: 14.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 21 seasons with Golden State Warriors (1976-77 to 1979-80), Boston Celtics (1980-81 to 1993-94), Charlotte Hornets (1994-95 to 1995-96) and Chicago Bulls (1996-97). He had a very riled up rivalry against Bill Laimbeer, and neither sought to back down from the other, which only heightened the distaste between them. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and died of leukemia in 2016. Nash was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2018. Stats: 25.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG in 12 seasons with Oklahoma City Thunder (2009-10 to 2011-12), Houston Rockets (2012-13 to 2020-21) and Brooklyn Nets (2020-21)*. Stats: 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG in 13 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1979-80 to 1990-91; 1995-96). The 6'9" Johnson (making him the NBA's tallest point guard) not only posted the best assists-per-game mark in league history (11.2) but had a tremendous all-around game, as well. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 2006 Finals MVP, 2010 All-Star MVP, 2008-09 scoring champ, three-time NBA champion. Jones can place his name among the most admired NBA players of al -time for his class and demeanor, and he was finally elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. You know who else thought McDaniel was tough? NBA legend Michael Jordan. Whether it was through his play, his quotes or just his general presence on the floor, Oakley embodied the idea of intensity. It will be interesting to see how the second half of his career plays out. The moment Thomas toughness was no longer in doubt was at the end of his tenure with the Celtics, when he was on the verge of getting close to a max contract in free agency in the offseason. That was just the break he needed. Which threw even more fuel on his fire. NBA History: The Top 50 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time Teams: Washington Bullets/Wizards (1996-99), Orlando Magic (1999-2000), Detroit Pistons (2000-06, 2009-12), Chicago Bulls (2006-08), Cleveland Cavaliers (2008-09), Key stats: 1,088 G, 5.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 47.4 FG%. Each of the last three seasons, NBA players voting in an anonymous poll have listed Adams as one of the three players they would least like to fight in the entire league. Trash talking, stealing the rock, facilitating the flow of the offense, it was all just part of Paytons routine on a game-by-game basis. For the prime example of Jordans mentality, look to the 1997 NBA Finals Game 5 "The Flu Game." Sixth Man of the Year. He invented the famous and devastating skyhook shot. Fifty players were selected through a vote by a panel of media members, former players and coaches, and current and former general managers. Bottom line: Most of Americas introduction to Gary Payton came via one of the most iconic Sports Illustrated covers of all time, when he was a senior at Oregon State University in 1990. Parish might not get the love that he deserves for being intense, but theres no questioning his commitment. Approximately $200 million in career earnings. Later in his career, Payton managed to shake off his reputation for being brash and became a steady presence in the locker room. Stats: 21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 1.8 APG in 16 season with San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968-69 to 1971-72; 1981-82 to 1983-84) and Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972-73 to 1980-81) . The most important thing to remember about Dumars as far as gauging his toughness is that Michael Jordan called him the best defender he ever faced and the "Jordan Rules" established by Pistons coach Chuck Daly in the 1990s centered around Dumars unique defensive ability. NBA Insiders: Who Did Enough to Contend in Wild Western Conference Jordan scored 38 points despite playing with a fever and recovering from a stomach virus. After being banished to the bench and playing just 24 games in his first two seasons, Mason proved to be incredibly durable. English's nightly offensive assaults made him an exciting player to watch. He was dominant at both ends of the floor, and his mean mug was enough to scare the opposition before he entered the lane. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, three-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP, 1979-80 Rookie of the Year, 1982 All-Star MVP, three-time NBA champion. Louis Hawks (1954-55 to 1964-65). Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG in 16 seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1984-85 to 1991-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-93 to 1995-96) and Houston Rockets (1996-97 to 1999-00). He also always stayed in Detroits lineup because of his versatility, as he could sub easily for starting point guard Isiah Thomas or shooting guard Joe Dumars. Stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG in 13 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1981-82 to 1993-94). Key stats: 963 G, 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 44.0 FG%, NBA titles: 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969). Did you really expect to see anyone but the best at the head of this list? Bottom line: Opponents underestimated John Stocktons toughness at their own peril throughout his 18 seasons, including 11 in which he was selected first-, second- or third-team All-NBA. 1, but some big men are climbing the . Whats not a mystery is the impact Billups made on almost every team he played on. The 11-time NBA All Star . One of the tough guys in league history, McDaniel certainly never backed down from any challenge anyone was willing to present. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, five-time All-Defensive team. All Time Leaders - The official site of the NBA for the latest NBA Teams: Detroit Pistons (1970-1980), Milwaukee Bucks (1980-1984), Key stats: 959 G, 20.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 51.4 FG%. In the 1970s, it was Bob Dandridge, who scored more points in the NBA Finals in that decade than any NBA player while winning a title in 1971 alongside Oscar Robertson and Abdul-Jabbar on the Bucks, then alongside Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld on the Bullets in 1978. Key stats: 650 G, 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 47.6 FG%. These guys are big, strong, athletic - they look a lot different than Trae Young. Defensive Player of the Year. NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Teammate of the Year. Former 76ers general manager Pat Williams probably described Jones the best: "He gives you two hours of his blood, showers and goes home.". They didn't get that way because they could score or rebound. Unseld was never one to back down from anything, and he crafted his attack around the idea that he was fearless. Mourning doesnt get the love among the new generation of hoop-heads that he should, as some of his numbers are mind-boggling. Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1979-89), Atlanta Hawks (1989-91), Key stats: 767 G, 15.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.6 APG, 50.2 FG%. Maxwell was called a lot of different things during his career, but it was clear that his intensity was never to be questioned. RANKED: the Top NBA Players Right Now - Insider Perkins wasnt just hired muscle, though. Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1973-77), Boston Celtics (1977-78), San Diego Clippers (1978-79), Portland Trail Blazers (1979-82), Golden State Warriors (1987), Key stats: 507 G, 9.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 52.6 FG%. His most iconic play was a baseline, left-handed dunk over Jordan and Horace Grant in the playoffs. Olajuwon didnt take anything from anybody when it came to where he felt his proper position in the lane was. Toughness ran in Stocktons family. Bottom line: Patrick Beverley is truly a case study in determination. Skiles also, famously, took a swing at Shaquille O'Neal in the locker room. "You'd have a fight a week," Johnson told Sports Illustrated in 1992. To put it in perspective, Foust scored the winning basket for the Fort Wayne Pistons in the lowest-scoring NBA game of all-time, a 19-18 win over the Minneapolis Lakers, a year in which he averaged 13.5 points. Ranking the top 74 NBA players of all time - Nos. 10-1 - ESPN.com Hes also the only undrafted player in NBA history to be voted a starter for the All-Star game. Bottom line: Dan Roundfield "Dr. Rounds" could be the next name you drop in a conversation with fellow NBA heads when youre talking about the most underrated, underappreciated players of all time. Hes also on track to break the NBA career minutes played record in that same span. In the NBA, some of the greatest players of all time have also been some of the toughest as well as some of the most beloved. Dubs' Curry (leg) could return as soon as Sun. Bottom line: Alonzo Mourning crafted a career as one of the greatest defensive players in basketball history, putting the world on notice by leading the nation in blocked shots as a freshman at Georgetown University. Sixth Man of the Year. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1994-95 MVP, 1991-92 Defensive Player of the Year, 1989-90 Rookie of the Year, 1993-94 scoring champ, 1990-91 rebounding champ, 1991-92 blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. He played the first two seasons of his career in the ABA and was a four-time All-Star in both leagues. Barkley was never shy about getting into a scrappy brawl if it was warranted, but he was far more than just an agitator. Stats: 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG in 19 seasons with Utah Jazz (1985-86 to 2002-03) and Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04). You never wanted to challenge Mount Mutombo. Western Conference Finals MVP. Teams: Chicago Bulls (1985-88, 2001-02), New York Knicks (1988-98), Toronto Raptors (1999-2001), Washington Wizards (2002-03), Houston Rockets (2004), Key stats: 1,282 G, 9.7 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 47.1 FG%. Teams: Sacramento Kings (2011-14), Phoenix Suns (2014-15). He averaged 7.4 rebounds per game over 11 NBA seasons, and hes only 6-foot-5. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, five-time assists champ, two-time MVP. Passion. His intensity was on obvious display every time he dribbled the ball up the floor and with every single move he made. Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (1990-03), Milwaukee Bucks (2003), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04), Boston Celtics (2004-05), Miami Heat (2005-07), Key stats: 1,335 G, 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 46.6 FG%. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, 1986-87 All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, two-time Sixth Man of the Year, three-time NBA champion. Stats: 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG in 14 seasons with Cincinnati Royals (1960-61 to 1969-70) and Milwaukee Bucks (1970-71 to 1973-74). An absolute force in the lane, he had very little trouble positioning himself to provide a competitive advantage. Rookie of the Year. O'Neal became an All-Star 15 times and earned the 1999-2000 MVP . Other accolades include the 2007 College Player of the Year, 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year, 2014 NBA MVP, 11-time All-Star, and 6-time All NBA 1st team selection. Key stats: 971 G, 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 55.4 FG%. Bottom line: Sidney Moncrief was the first NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986, then won it again in 1987. He never played less than 79 games in his first 13 NBA seasons before abruptly retiring early in the 1993-94 season after a fight with teammate Isiah Thomas. Apart from handing out aggressive fouls, Bill Lambier was also at the center of most flagrant splays at the time. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1993-94 MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Finals MVP, two-time rebounding champ, three-time blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. Stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 7.4 APG in 13 seasons with Cincinnati Royals/KC-Omaha/Kansas City Kings (1970-71 to 1975-76), New York Nets (1976-77), Boston Celtics (1978-79 to 1982-83) and Milwaukee Bucks (1983-84). And he only played one season, his rookie year, with the Baltimore Bullets. Oakley squared up with a whos who of NBA tough guys and had an epic series of throwdowns with Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. 2002, 2009, 2010). Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, 1974-75 MVP, 1972-73 Rookie of the Year, three-time scoring champ, two-time NBA champion. Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Although his legacy is defined largely by the infamous malice at the palace, World Peaces placement on this list is about more than just that. Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 2000-01 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, 1996-97 Rookie of the Year, four-time scoring champ, three-time steals champ. Want to learn how to continue to get better every season while simultaneously carrying the load? When McHale clotheslined Lakers forward Kurt Rambis during Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals, it shocked teammates and opponents alike and arguably turned the tide of the series. Accomplishments: Four-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1967 NBA champion. 13 Kevin Durant Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 11 All-Stars NBA rank: 26th. John Stockton is the NBA's leader in assists and steals; he's a 10-time All-Star, made 11 All-NBA teams, was a five-time All-Defensive squad, and obviously earned inclusion on the. It was the third anniversary team in the league. Oakleys best seasons were with the Knicks, including two NBA All-Defensive Team selections and his lone All-Star appearance, in 1994. Starks worked his way up from 10-day contracts with the Warriors to the CBA to finally landing a shot with the Knicks in 1990, where he spent almost a decade as a key foil to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Bottom line: Its safe to say that most point guards who make it from Brooklyn to the NBA are tough.

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