Achievements & moments are what define NBA legacies. Michael Jordan will always be remembered for his five MVP awards and his six championships and for moments like the Shot over Craig Ehlo and the Flu Game. Kobe Bryan will be remembered for five championships and his 81-point game. Bill Russell will always be remembered for dominating the NBA through the 50s and 60s and winning 11 championships. However, some players don't get accolades that define their legacies. Some end up with infamous moments that cement their spots in NBA history. With that being said, here are five NBA careers defined by infamous moments.
Ron Artest
Moment: The Malice at the Palace
Starting off this list is a player and an incident that I talked about as part of my list of players with infamous records. After being selected with the 16th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 NBA Draft, Ron Artest had carved out a solid legacy for himself. Through the first five years of his career, Artest averaged 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 31% from three-point range. Following a great 2003-04 season where he averaged 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, made the all-star team and won the Defensive Player of the Year, Artest looked ready to truly break out and become one of the NBA's top stars. And the very next season, Artest cemented his legacy...just not in a good way.
In a game where Artest's Indiana Pacers faced off against the Detroit Pistons, Artest committed a somewhat hard foul on Ben Wallace with around 45 seconds left in the 4th quarter and the game basically decided (Indiana led 97-82). Wallace responded by shoving Artest, leading to a confrontation before being separated by other players. Artest laid down on the scorer's table to calm himself down, only for him to be hit by a drink thrown by a fan. Artest responded by jumping into the stands and went after the fan who threw the drink at him. This led to several other players jumping into the stands with him, fans running onto the court, and eventually, the rest of the game being called off, thus ending the chaos known as the Malice at the Palace.
Following the incident, nine players received suspensions, with Artest receiving the most severe at 86 games (73 regular season games and 13 playoff games) and lost nearly $5 million as a result. Artest returned the next season, only to demand a trade midway through the year and ended up with the Sacremento Kings. Artest would go on to play 11 more seasons in the NBA after the Malice at the Palace with five different teams. While he continued to play solid basketball for several years after the brawl, Artest failed to recapture the magic of his 2003-04 season. For the remainder of his career, Artest averaged 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 41% from the field and 35% from three-point range. Artest did manage to win an NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will always be remembered for his role in the Malice at the Palace.
Starting off this list is a player and an incident that I talked about as part of my list of players with infamous records. After being selected with the 16th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 NBA Draft, Ron Artest had carved out a solid legacy for himself. Through the first five years of his career, Artest averaged 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 31% from three-point range. Following a great 2003-04 season where he averaged 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, made the all-star team and won the Defensive Player of the Year, Artest looked ready to truly break out and become one of the NBA's top stars. And the very next season, Artest cemented his legacy...just not in a good way.
In a game where Artest's Indiana Pacers faced off against the Detroit Pistons, Artest committed a somewhat hard foul on Ben Wallace with around 45 seconds left in the 4th quarter and the game basically decided (Indiana led 97-82). Wallace responded by shoving Artest, leading to a confrontation before being separated by other players. Artest laid down on the scorer's table to calm himself down, only for him to be hit by a drink thrown by a fan. Artest responded by jumping into the stands and went after the fan who threw the drink at him. This led to several other players jumping into the stands with him, fans running onto the court, and eventually, the rest of the game being called off, thus ending the chaos known as the Malice at the Palace.
Following the incident, nine players received suspensions, with Artest receiving the most severe at 86 games (73 regular season games and 13 playoff games) and lost nearly $5 million as a result. Artest returned the next season, only to demand a trade midway through the year and ended up with the Sacremento Kings. Artest would go on to play 11 more seasons in the NBA after the Malice at the Palace with five different teams. While he continued to play solid basketball for several years after the brawl, Artest failed to recapture the magic of his 2003-04 season. For the remainder of his career, Artest averaged 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 41% from the field and 35% from three-point range. Artest did manage to win an NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will always be remembered for his role in the Malice at the Palace.
Gilbert Arenas
Moment: Playing with guns
For a while, Gilbert Arenas was one of the best point guards in the NBA. Entering the league after being selected with the 31st overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, Arenas quickly showcased his skills and established himself as one of the biggest draft steals in NBA history. Through the first six years of his career, Arenas averaged 22.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Along the way, Arenas was selected to three All-Star appearances, made three All-NBA teams (2nd twice and 3rd once) and won the Most Improved Player for the 2002-03 season. Arenas' career got derailed following two injury-riddled seasons, but the final nail in the coffin for Arenas was yet to come.
During the 2009-10 season, news came out about an incident between Arenas and Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton that could have been deadly. As fellow Wizard at the time Caron Butler recited, Arenas & Crittenton got into argument over card game debt, with both of them warning eachother that they "play with guns." Two days later at practice, Arenas laid out four guns in front of his locker and told Crittenton to pick which one he Arenas shot him with. Crittenton responded by pulling his own gun on Arenas. Had Butler not intervened, the situation could have gotten much worse. The police were called to the scene, leading to Arenas being convicted of carrying an unlicensed pistol outside a home or business.
Arenas was sentenced to two years probation and 30 days in a halfway house as a result of his conviction. Along with that, Arenas was suspended for the rest of the 2009-10 season (50 games), which was likely made worse due to a pre-game stunt he pulled with his teammates where he pretended to shoot them with finger guns. Arenas returned to the Wizards during the 2010-11 season but was traded to the Orlando Magic midway through the year for Rashard Lewis. Arenas would only play in 87 more games over the next two years with both the Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies. For the rest of his career, Arenas averaged 9.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 37% from the field and 30% from three-point range. While injuries certainly didn't help Arenas stay in the NBA, his career was forever tainted by the gun incident.
For a while, Gilbert Arenas was one of the best point guards in the NBA. Entering the league after being selected with the 31st overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, Arenas quickly showcased his skills and established himself as one of the biggest draft steals in NBA history. Through the first six years of his career, Arenas averaged 22.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Along the way, Arenas was selected to three All-Star appearances, made three All-NBA teams (2nd twice and 3rd once) and won the Most Improved Player for the 2002-03 season. Arenas' career got derailed following two injury-riddled seasons, but the final nail in the coffin for Arenas was yet to come.
During the 2009-10 season, news came out about an incident between Arenas and Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton that could have been deadly. As fellow Wizard at the time Caron Butler recited, Arenas & Crittenton got into argument over card game debt, with both of them warning eachother that they "play with guns." Two days later at practice, Arenas laid out four guns in front of his locker and told Crittenton to pick which one he Arenas shot him with. Crittenton responded by pulling his own gun on Arenas. Had Butler not intervened, the situation could have gotten much worse. The police were called to the scene, leading to Arenas being convicted of carrying an unlicensed pistol outside a home or business.
Arenas was sentenced to two years probation and 30 days in a halfway house as a result of his conviction. Along with that, Arenas was suspended for the rest of the 2009-10 season (50 games), which was likely made worse due to a pre-game stunt he pulled with his teammates where he pretended to shoot them with finger guns. Arenas returned to the Wizards during the 2010-11 season but was traded to the Orlando Magic midway through the year for Rashard Lewis. Arenas would only play in 87 more games over the next two years with both the Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies. For the rest of his career, Arenas averaged 9.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 37% from the field and 30% from three-point range. While injuries certainly didn't help Arenas stay in the NBA, his career was forever tainted by the gun incident.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Moment: Sitting during the National Anthem
Before Colin Kaepernick ever took a knee or even stepped on an NFL field, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was causing a National Anthem controversy back in 1996. Born Chris Jackson, Abdul-Rauf was a standout at Louisiana State University, where he averaged 29 points per game on 47% shooting and shot 37% from the three-point line in his two-year college career before entering the 1990 NBA Draft. Abdul-Rauf was selected with the 3rd overall pick by the Denver Nuggets and looked set to be the NBA's next top point guard. In his six seasons with the Nuggets, Abdul-Rauf averaged 16 points and 4 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field, 35% from three-point range, and 92% from the free throw line. Along the way, Abdul-Rauf was selected to the All-Rookie 1st Team in 1991 and won the Most Improved Player award in 1993. However, his career was halted because of a controversy during his last season in Denver.
Abdul-Rauf, who converted to Islam in 1991, refused to stand during the National Anthem during the 1995-96 season, calling the American flag a symbol of oppression & tyranny and saying that standing for the anthem would conflict with his religious beliefs. It wasn't until March 12, 1996, that the NBA suspended him for refusing to stand, causing him to miss one game before they worked out a compromise. Abdul-Rauf would stand for the anthem, but during the anthem, he would look down into his hands and recite an Islamic prayer. Following his controversial season, Abdul-Rauf was traded to the Sacremento Kings, where he played two seasons before leaving the league, only returning for one season with the Vancouver Grizzlies in 2000.
Abdul-Rauf's situation is very similar to Colin Kaepernick's. Because of his protest, Abdul-Rauf was effectively pushed out of the league due to his protests. In Sacramento, Abdul-Rauf saw his minutes drop from 35.6 a game in Denver to 28.4 for his first season and then to just 17.1 minutes in his last season. Following his protest, Abdul-Rauf received death threats. However, Abdul-Rauf has no regrets. In an interview with the Undefeated's Jesse Washington, Abdul-Rauf said "It’s priceless to know that I can go to sleep knowing that I stood to my principles. Whether I go broke, whether they take my life, whatever it is, I stood on principles. To me, that is worth more than wealth and fame."
Before Colin Kaepernick ever took a knee or even stepped on an NFL field, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was causing a National Anthem controversy back in 1996. Born Chris Jackson, Abdul-Rauf was a standout at Louisiana State University, where he averaged 29 points per game on 47% shooting and shot 37% from the three-point line in his two-year college career before entering the 1990 NBA Draft. Abdul-Rauf was selected with the 3rd overall pick by the Denver Nuggets and looked set to be the NBA's next top point guard. In his six seasons with the Nuggets, Abdul-Rauf averaged 16 points and 4 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field, 35% from three-point range, and 92% from the free throw line. Along the way, Abdul-Rauf was selected to the All-Rookie 1st Team in 1991 and won the Most Improved Player award in 1993. However, his career was halted because of a controversy during his last season in Denver.
Abdul-Rauf, who converted to Islam in 1991, refused to stand during the National Anthem during the 1995-96 season, calling the American flag a symbol of oppression & tyranny and saying that standing for the anthem would conflict with his religious beliefs. It wasn't until March 12, 1996, that the NBA suspended him for refusing to stand, causing him to miss one game before they worked out a compromise. Abdul-Rauf would stand for the anthem, but during the anthem, he would look down into his hands and recite an Islamic prayer. Following his controversial season, Abdul-Rauf was traded to the Sacremento Kings, where he played two seasons before leaving the league, only returning for one season with the Vancouver Grizzlies in 2000.
Abdul-Rauf's situation is very similar to Colin Kaepernick's. Because of his protest, Abdul-Rauf was effectively pushed out of the league due to his protests. In Sacramento, Abdul-Rauf saw his minutes drop from 35.6 a game in Denver to 28.4 for his first season and then to just 17.1 minutes in his last season. Following his protest, Abdul-Rauf received death threats. However, Abdul-Rauf has no regrets. In an interview with the Undefeated's Jesse Washington, Abdul-Rauf said "It’s priceless to know that I can go to sleep knowing that I stood to my principles. Whether I go broke, whether they take my life, whatever it is, I stood on principles. To me, that is worth more than wealth and fame."
Kermit Washington
Moment: Punching Rudy Tomjanovich
Kermit Washington was always a solid player during his career, but nothing spectacular. During his ten year career, Washington played for five different teams, averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field along the way, and was selected to the All-Defensive 2nd Team twice and the all-star game once. However, Washington's role during his NBA career was primarily as an enforcer, a player who was willing to push back when one of his teammates was getting roughed up during the game. Washington wasn't as infamous as fellow enforcers Bill Lambier or Maurice Lucas, at least, not until the infamous fight that defined his career.
During a 1977 game between Washington's Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, a fight broke out between the Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Rocket's Kevin Kunnert at half court, with Washington getting involved. As the scuffle continued, Rudy Tomjanovich of the Rockets ran in to try to break up the fight. Seeing Tomjanovich sprinting towards him, Washington laid him out with a brutal right hand, sending Tomjanovich crashing down to the floor. That punch left Tomjanovich with a facial fracture, a cerebral concussion, a broken nose & jaw, and had blood & spinal fluid leaking into his skull capsule. The injuries were so severe that the doctor who treated Tomjanovich compared his surgery to fixing a cracked eggshell with tape.
Following the punch, Washington was suspended for 26 games, which at the time was the longest suspension in NBA history, and became a pariah to fans, frequently receiving racist hate mail and even death threats. Tomjanovich, then an All-Star forward capable of averaging over 20 points a game, missed the rest of the 1977-78 season and while he did make another all-star appearance the next season, would only spend three more years in the league and never returned to form. Lastly, commissioner David Stern enacted new penalties for fighting, including an automatic ejection & one-game suspension for players who throw punches. Kermit Washington might not have been a memorable player, but he certainly made his name infamous that night.
Kermit Washington was always a solid player during his career, but nothing spectacular. During his ten year career, Washington played for five different teams, averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field along the way, and was selected to the All-Defensive 2nd Team twice and the all-star game once. However, Washington's role during his NBA career was primarily as an enforcer, a player who was willing to push back when one of his teammates was getting roughed up during the game. Washington wasn't as infamous as fellow enforcers Bill Lambier or Maurice Lucas, at least, not until the infamous fight that defined his career.
During a 1977 game between Washington's Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, a fight broke out between the Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Rocket's Kevin Kunnert at half court, with Washington getting involved. As the scuffle continued, Rudy Tomjanovich of the Rockets ran in to try to break up the fight. Seeing Tomjanovich sprinting towards him, Washington laid him out with a brutal right hand, sending Tomjanovich crashing down to the floor. That punch left Tomjanovich with a facial fracture, a cerebral concussion, a broken nose & jaw, and had blood & spinal fluid leaking into his skull capsule. The injuries were so severe that the doctor who treated Tomjanovich compared his surgery to fixing a cracked eggshell with tape.
Following the punch, Washington was suspended for 26 games, which at the time was the longest suspension in NBA history, and became a pariah to fans, frequently receiving racist hate mail and even death threats. Tomjanovich, then an All-Star forward capable of averaging over 20 points a game, missed the rest of the 1977-78 season and while he did make another all-star appearance the next season, would only spend three more years in the league and never returned to form. Lastly, commissioner David Stern enacted new penalties for fighting, including an automatic ejection & one-game suspension for players who throw punches. Kermit Washington might not have been a memorable player, but he certainly made his name infamous that night.
Latrell Sprewell
Moment: Choking his coach
Latrell Sprewell was supposed to be the next big thing in the NBA. Following a two-year stint at the University of Alabama, Sprewell entered the 1992 NBA Draft and was selected with the 24th pick by the Golden State Warriors and quickly took the league by storm. Through his first five seasons in the NBA, Sprewell averaged 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 44% from the field and 34% from three-point range. Along the way. Sprewell was selected to three All-Star games, the All-Defensive 2nd team once and the All-NBA 1st team once (both during the 1993-94 season.) Sprewell was a star in the making, but that all ended following a scary incident at practice.
Sprewell had a history of bad blood with his Warriors teammates, including getting into fights with Jerome Kersey and Bryon Houston, but the most infamous altercation he ever had was with his coach P.J. Carlesimo. Following an argument between Sprewell and Carlesimo during practice, Sprewell grabbed Carlesimo by the throat and threatened to kill him, choking him for around ten seconds. Sprewell had to be pulled off of Carlesimo by his teammates & assistant coaches and left the gym, only to return and glance Carlesimo on the right side of his face before he was finally being taken away by assistant coach.
Needless to say, Sprewell was done with the Golden State Warriors after assaulting and threatening to kill his coach. Sprewell was suspended by the NBA for the rest of the 1997-98 season, resulting in him missing 68 games, at the time the longest in NBA history and currently the second longest. The Warriors initially voided the remainder of Sprewell's contract, but after Sprewell got it overturned through arbitration, the Warriors traded Sprewell to the New York Knicks. Sprewell played for seven seasons with both the Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves and while he made another all-star appearance in 2001, he never returned to form. For the last seven years of his career, Sprewell averaged 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 42% from the field and 34% from three-point range. Sprewell's career ended under bizarre circumstances after he rejected a 3-year, $21 million contract extension with the Timberwolves because, and I quote, "I have a family to feed ... If Glen Taylor wants to see my family fed, he better cough up some money. Otherwise, you're going to see these kids in one of those Sally Struthers commercials soon." Sprewell did not get another contract following that, ending his NBA career.
Thanks for reading!
Latrell Sprewell was supposed to be the next big thing in the NBA. Following a two-year stint at the University of Alabama, Sprewell entered the 1992 NBA Draft and was selected with the 24th pick by the Golden State Warriors and quickly took the league by storm. Through his first five seasons in the NBA, Sprewell averaged 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 44% from the field and 34% from three-point range. Along the way. Sprewell was selected to three All-Star games, the All-Defensive 2nd team once and the All-NBA 1st team once (both during the 1993-94 season.) Sprewell was a star in the making, but that all ended following a scary incident at practice.
Sprewell had a history of bad blood with his Warriors teammates, including getting into fights with Jerome Kersey and Bryon Houston, but the most infamous altercation he ever had was with his coach P.J. Carlesimo. Following an argument between Sprewell and Carlesimo during practice, Sprewell grabbed Carlesimo by the throat and threatened to kill him, choking him for around ten seconds. Sprewell had to be pulled off of Carlesimo by his teammates & assistant coaches and left the gym, only to return and glance Carlesimo on the right side of his face before he was finally being taken away by assistant coach.
Needless to say, Sprewell was done with the Golden State Warriors after assaulting and threatening to kill his coach. Sprewell was suspended by the NBA for the rest of the 1997-98 season, resulting in him missing 68 games, at the time the longest in NBA history and currently the second longest. The Warriors initially voided the remainder of Sprewell's contract, but after Sprewell got it overturned through arbitration, the Warriors traded Sprewell to the New York Knicks. Sprewell played for seven seasons with both the Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves and while he made another all-star appearance in 2001, he never returned to form. For the last seven years of his career, Sprewell averaged 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 42% from the field and 34% from three-point range. Sprewell's career ended under bizarre circumstances after he rejected a 3-year, $21 million contract extension with the Timberwolves because, and I quote, "I have a family to feed ... If Glen Taylor wants to see my family fed, he better cough up some money. Otherwise, you're going to see these kids in one of those Sally Struthers commercials soon." Sprewell did not get another contract following that, ending his NBA career.
Thanks for reading!
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