11/22/23

Jay C. Brandriet

If I think about the “NBA villain’s” who have played in my lifetime, one stands out above the crowd.

Not including enforcers and irritants, let’s look at some of these guys.

Draymond Green just choked out Rudy Gobert. Last year he used a guy’s chest like a bouncy house. He’s always played with a fire that will sometimes burn out of control. Colin Cowherd often refers to him as “the bouncer at the night club.”

Dillon Brooks called a man five times better than him, “old.” He’s a pro wrestling figure. Eazy-E once called some folks “studio gangstas.” Brooks feels like a made for T.V. villain.

Dennis Rodman could control crowds with his effort and antics. An antagonist? For sure. I saw him as more of a rebel.

Ron Artest was a centerpiece in the “Malice at the Palace.” He once broke Michael Jordan’s ribs in a scrimmage. Dangerous for sure. The guy gave a shout out to his psychiatrist at the podium. He changed his last name to World Peace. I’ll let him off the hook.

After his trial in Colorado, Kobe Bryant began to hear the crowd say despicable things to him. He created a character called “The Black Mamba.” The scowl on his face, while he would grit and grind with his jaw? He had a window of being an amazing villain. Ultimately, he was too good and popular to remain “an NBA bad guy.”

LeBron and KD took short runs at it because of decisions.

Karl Malone had sharp elbows.

Players called John Stockton “dirty.” I saw it as occasionally, dangerously aggressive.

Rasheed Wallace just had problems with authority figures that wore whistles.

THE MOST HATED NBA VILLAIN OF MY LIFETIME

In a late 1980’s playoff game the Detroit Pistons were in Atlanta facing the Hawks. During a timeout, there was a little demonstration out on the court.

A guy took a cardboard cutout of Bill Laimbeer and chopped it to bits with a chainsaw.

Laimbeer is the most hated NBA villain of my lifetime.

It’s not close.

He was the naughtiest among a group of “Bad Boys.”

Here’s an example of how he saw things:

“I don’t give an inch. I don’t give anybody any respect. I think that’s a major problem with a lot of other players. I don’t respect their game. If they happen to get in the way, that’s not my fault, it’s their fault.”

He would bow gracefully into the teeth of angry crowds.

The hate and the boos were his sign of a job well done.

Larry Bird told Bill Simmons in 2013 there was “hate” for Laimbeer.

“Ricky Mahorn and them would bump ya. You knew it was coming. Bill tried to hurt you.”

You know that saying we have as sports fans?

“I hate that guy, but if he was on our team I would love him.”

It’s true with Laimbeer too.

He was SO unlikeable, I had to talk myself into believing it.

Bill wore the villain’s name tag better and more intentionally than anyone I can remember.

Former head coach Richie Adubato put Laimbeer in the perfect light.

“He’s a fierce competitor and a winner. He’s intelligent. He’s a great actor. He’s dirty. To sum it up, he’s someone that everyone hates.”

Jay C. Brandriet