NBA Players Nobody Hates
Inevitably, as a player spends more time in the league, they will begin to build a roster of haters. Whether from players on opposing teams to the fans themselves, it really is difficult to get the love and respect from everyone.
But, for some players, it’s simply too difficult to hate them. For these players, with their affable personalities, quick wit and charm, and superior play on the court, hatred can come difficult.
Below, we are going to review the NBA players that nobody hates. Do you agree with our list of players?
Kawhi Leonard
One of the most humble NBA players, Kawhi Leonard isn’t known for his trash-talking or bully style of play. Rather, quiet in demeanor and affable to a fault, Leonard allows his game to speak for itself.
Currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, Kawhi Leonard is a two-time NBA champion and a five-time All-Star, with three All-NBA First Team selections.
With superior ball handling skills, Kawhi Leonard has been nicknamed the “Claw”.
Kawhi Leonard played two seasons of college basketball for the San Diego Aztecs and was named a consensus second-team All-American as a sophomore.
Selected 15th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers, he would go on to help the Toronto Raptors win their first NBA championship.
Shaquille O’Neal
We’ll admit, during their Lakers dynasty days, Shaquille O’Neal and the great, late Kobe Bryant definitely had some beef. But since retiring from the league in 2011 and becoming a regular on TNT’s Inside the NBA, Shaq has been able to reestablish himself as one of the most liked and personable personalities in the NBA.
A dominant center who is most widely associated with his days with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat, Shaquille O’Neal had a difficult upbringing, with his biological father leaving his family due to drug addiction.
However, those childhood struggles never stopped Shaq from pursuing his dreams. An all-time NBA great, Shaq is also a successful entrepreneur, managing several fast food restaurants and franchises.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo may have one of the most difficult last names to pronounce in the NBA but he also has one of the best personalities and is widely beloved across the league.
“The Greek Freak” was born and raised in Athens, Greece to Nigerian immigrants. Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in the Central Division of the NBA’s Eastern Conference, he led the Bucks to the 2020-21 NBA Finals championship.
And although he is most widely known for his on-court play and dominance, he is also one of the most affable characters in the NBA. Stories of Giannis’ pureness began early in his career, as retold by one Sports Illustrated reporter.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki may have become a household name due to his superior shooting abilities, particularly for a 7-footer, but his easy-going personality, genuine smile, and hard-work ethic has made him a fan favorite and a difficult player to hate, even when he would drop 50 points on you.
A German professional basketball player who is currently a special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks. Nowitzki is also widely regarded as one of the best power forwards in the history of the league and one of the greatest European basketball players of all time.
Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan, nicknamed “The Big Fundamental” is one of the most difficult NBA players to hate, even through his dynasty seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. An old-school player who played the game of basketball properly, without any additional fluff or exaggeration, Duncan was a world-class athlete and NBA player.
As only natural, Duncan would spend his entire 19-year playing career with the San Antonio Spurs. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Duncan was the NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected by San Antonio with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft.
Playing the power forward and the center positions throughout his career, he is a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA MVP, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, a 15-time NBA All-Star, and the only player to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons.
Pau Gasol
Another European basketball player, Pau Gasol was born in Barcelona, Spain. He was described as, “”a family boy and the perfect student, a tad shy, and a bit of a joker.” And although he loved playing soccer, it was basketball where he found his rhythm.
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft, but his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. In addition to playing for the Grizzlies, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Chicago Bulls, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
A 2-time NBA champion, 6-time NBA All-Star, and NBA Rookie of the Year, Gasol was also most famously one of Kobe Bryant’s closest friend.
Bryant, famous for his work-ethic, liked to claim that he did not have time for friends or friendships, once quipping, “Friends hang sometimes, banners hang forever.”
And Pau Gasol, during his time with the Lakers, heard Bryant say that all the time, relaying one day after Bryant’s passing:
“Yeah, he’d always say, ‘I don’t have time for friends. I’m too busy achieving, being the best out there or achieving greatness. I don’t have time for the sentimental stuff,'” Gasol said. “He would say that publicly, and there was some truth to that. But … He’s the closest thing to a big brother that I’ve had in my life.”
Pau Gasol is definitely one of the kindest and nicest NBA players in the league.