Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
About This Quiz
Michael Jordan, at his prime during his Chicago Bulls days, is widely regarded by many as the greatest to have ever played in the NBA. His career numbers are ones that every player who enters the NBA longs for: 30 points per game, along with six rebounds and five assists. His list of accomplishments is a mile long and includes six NBA titles and being named the NBA scoring champion 10 different times. But, one of Jordan’s most well-known career accomplishments lives outside the record books, and that’s his reputation for being a champion-caliber trash talker.
This post: Can You Identify These Legendary NBA Trash Talkers?
Trash talk in the NBA (or any sport, for that matter) is nothing new, but Jordan ranks near the top of most every “All-Time NBA Trash Talkers” list. He once famously said to fellow NBA star and then-rookie Reggie Miller, after outscoring him 40-2, “Be sure, and be careful, you never talk to Black Jesus like that.” For the record, Miller went on to be a pretty skilled trash talker himself.
So, let’s take a walk through the annals of NBA history and see who “talked the (trash) talk” the best. Look at these hints and see if you can guess who was the trashiest trash talker of all time, from Black Jesus to some of today’s most promising candidates for the Top Trash Talker title.
Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
About This Quiz
Michael Jordan, at his prime during his Chicago Bulls days, is widely regarded by many as the greatest to have ever played in the NBA. His career numbers are ones that every player who enters the NBA longs for: 30 points per game, along with six rebounds and five assists. His list of accomplishments is a mile long and includes six NBA titles and being named the NBA scoring champion 10 different times. But, one of Jordan’s most well-known career accomplishments lives outside the record books, and that’s his reputation for being a champion-caliber trash talker.
This post: Can You Identify These Legendary NBA Trash Talkers?
Trash talk in the NBA (or any sport, for that matter) is nothing new, but Jordan ranks near the top of most every “All-Time NBA Trash Talkers” list. He once famously said to fellow NBA star and then-rookie Reggie Miller, after outscoring him 40-2, “Be sure, and be careful, you never talk to Black Jesus like that.” For the record, Miller went on to be a pretty skilled trash talker himself.
So, let’s take a walk through the annals of NBA history and see who “talked the (trash) talk” the best. Look at these hints and see if you can guess who was the trashiest trash talker of all time, from Black Jesus to some of today’s most promising candidates for the Top Trash Talker title.
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Which career baller for the Oklahoma City Thunder claims he has a trash-talking strategy where he only engages when provoked?
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has been aboard the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008 and has seen his fair share of teammates come and go over the years. That’s enough to make anyone salty, but Westbrook claims he won’t trash talk for no reason. Instead, he asserts that he will spout off if someone is talking crazy to him.
LaMarcus Aldridge
MarShon Brooks
Jimmy Butler
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Which former Charlotte Bobcats player was noted for trash-talking Michael Jordan, his boss at the time?
Larry Bird
Patrick Beverley
Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson was playing for the Bobcats (now the Hornets) when Jordan (who owns the team) decided to play in a pick-up game with the current players. Jackson was quick to let Jordan know that the past was just that and he would manhandle him now. Jackson later admitted he lost that battle.
Carmelo Anthony
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Which of these NBA players’ trash talk game was so epic that Nintendo created its own video game using his name?
Seth Curry
Bill Laimbeer
“Bill Laimbeer’s Combat Basketball” hit store shelves in 1991, an invention of Nintendo that drew on Laimbeer’s reputation as one of the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons. The Pistons retired Laimbeer’s jersey in 1995.
DeMar DeRozan
Reggie Miller
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Which of these NBA stars famously responded, “I called game” when asked if he called bank after a game-winning shot?
Draymond Green
Chris Webber
Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce’s tenure in the NBA just so happened to coincide with a period of intense trash talk. One of his most infamous moments came when he sank a game-winning shot against Al Harrington, calling “game” on a heated match-up.
Jalen Rose
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Which of these superstar athletes’ trash talk game was so fiery, he made his point without saying anything at all?
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson’s infamous (and literal) step over the Lakers’ Tyronn Lue after making a long two will go down in history as a trash talk highlight that didn’t involve any words at all. The movement highlighted the trash talk that had gone on throughout the first game of the 2001 Finals.
Dennis Rodman
Charles Barkley
Spud Webb
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Which NBA trash talker recognized his own limitations when trying to trade barbs with Tim Duncan?
Tony Parker
Blake Griffin
Vincent Edwards
Draymond Green
Draymond Green has quickly climbed the NBA’s well-known trash talkers list, but even he realized he was out of his league when going up against career-long San Antonio Spur, Tim Duncan. Green recounted an attempt to get under Duncan’s skin, which Duncan didn’t respond to. Green said Duncan’s lack of reaction was enough for him to never try it again.
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Which three-time NBA champion trash-talked an entire team at once, referring to the Sacramento Kings as the Sacramento Queens?
Tim Duncan
Shaquille O’Neal
Though the comment that would probably get him in immense trouble today, Shaq was well-known for his trash-talking jabs during his playing days, including a diss intended toward the Sacramento Kings. Shaq later apologized, but now a broadcaster, he still finds ways to take jabs.
Ron Artest
Kobe Bryant
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Which of these great NBA shooters took trash talking to the stands, taunting one particular famous fan?
Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller’s choke sign, aimed at film director Spike Lee – an avid Knicks fan – came following a 1994 playoff game in which Miller racked up nearly 40 points. Miller took the opportunity to turn his trash talk to the Knicks’ famous sideline presence.
John Wall
Serge Ibaka
Kyrie Irving
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Which of these former Lakers’ trash talk game was so ruthless it was even directed at his own teammates?
Kevin Durant
Charles Barkley
Chris Webber
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant played no favorites when it came to talking trash. It might have been an opponent or, just as likely, a teammate that drew Kobe’s ire. Once, he said one of his teammate’s shouldn’t have been playing in the NBA.
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Which of these former NBA ballers considered trash talk just another part of the game and famously said, “I’m not a role model.”
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley’s belief was that trash talk was part of the game and served to get inside the opponent’s head. When people would get upset over his comments, Barkley would simply tell them he wasn’t a role model. His opinionated ways sometimes still come out as a broadcaster.
Michael Jordan
Ray Allen
Vince Carter
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Which NBA player’s trash-talking ways earned him multiple technical fouls – and the admiration of fans?
Shawn Marion
Joakim Noah
Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Wallace’s trash talk didn’t sit well with NBA officials, who would frequently throw a technical foul in the Detroit Pistons’ direction. Fans thought it pretty comical, however, belting out “Sheeeeeed!” every time like a badge of honor.
Hakeem Olajuwon
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Which of these former athletes’ most infamous trash-talking incident included calling an opposing coach a “Smurf?”
Gary Payton
Gary Payton’s trash talk game knew no bounds; it extended beyond opposing players to coaches on opposing sidelines. He once told former Timberwolves coach, Sidney Lowe: “Sit down, you Smurf!”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Walt Frazier
Manu Ginobili
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The former NBA baller’s trash talk involving Carmelo Anthony’s wife might be NSFW. Who was the offender?
Kevin McHale
LeBron James
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett would go straight for the jugular with his trash talk. Some of his more infamous moments include telling a player with alopecia that he looked like a cancer patient, and making an R-rated comment about Carmelo’s wife and Honey Nut Cheerios. (Google that one.)
Russell Westbrook
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He shoots, he scores! Which of these legendary NBA stars started talking trash to the opposing bench before the shot ever went in?
Lamar Odom
James Harden
Dwight Howard
Larry Bird
Tales of Larry Bird’s savage trash talk are told far and wide, including one particularly lethal story where he predicted his three-point shot to end – and win – the game. While the ball is still in the air, Bird turns to the opposing bench and yells, “Told you so,” and trots straight to the locker room.
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Eyes wide shut: Which NBA athlete trash-talked an opponent with, “This one’s for you,” and then proceeded to shoot a free throw with his eyes closed?
Michael Jordan
With Jordan at the free throw line in a 1991 game against the Denver Nuggets, His Airness threw a little trash talk Dikembe Mutombo’s way, saying “This one’s for you,” and making a free throw with his eyes closed.
Shaquille O’Neal
Kyle Lowry
Chris Quinn
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Which of these new NBA stars has said he enjoys taking his trash talk from the court to Twitter?
Chris Paul
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid has helped revive the trash talk the NBA has long been known for (but had somewhat tapered off) since entering the league in 2014. Embiid has been known to trash talk the entire game and then continue his chatter on social media.
Buddy Hield
Nick Young
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Which of these NBA stars’ pre-game trash-talking session got him a little extra attention from the officials during the actual game?
Damian Lillard
Dominique Wilkins
Trae Young
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins’ pre-game trash talk warm-up with Enes Kanter earned him a bit of extra attention from the officials once the game kicked off. The NBA heard about the pairs’ interaction hours ahead of the tip and made sure the officials knew.
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Maybe not the most original retort, but which of these NBA stars yelled “Bite me!” to a fan who told him he sucked?
Glen Rice
Chris Paul
Chris Paul has been known as quite the talker during games; in fact, he is well known for talking all game long, including to fans he hears in the stands. One fan got an invitation to “bite” Paul.
Kevin Love
Andre Iguodala
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This old-school NBA star is still talking trash almost 20 years after retiring… about current players!
Dennis Rodman
Just a few months ago, cameras caught up to Dennis Rodman, who never misses an opportunity to talk trash. This one may have been warranted, however, directed at Joel Embiid’s opinion of Michael Jordan as the GOAT.
Tom Owens
John Stockton
Moses Malone
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Following a particularly gruesome injury he caused, which NBA athlete refused to shake hands with his victim because he was a “substitute?”
Rashard Lewis
Pau Gasol
Metta World Peace
So much for having the word “peace” in your name! After elbowing James Harden (for which he received a suspension), Metta World Peace told the press he wouldn’t shake Harden’s hand because, “I don’t shake substitutes’ hands.” Alrighty then.
Kobe Bryant
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When NBA baller did Steph Curry call a “24-7 trash talker and hype man”?
Kevin Durant
Nate Robinson
When asked by the media about the game’s biggest trash talkers, Steph Curry knew his pick: Nate Robinson. Curry said when Robinson was a Warrior that he would talk trash everywhere, from the locker room to an airplane.
Klay Thompson
James Harden
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LeBron never responded to this guy’s trash talk except once to say, “What is wrong with you?” Who was he talking to?
Lance Stephenson
Lance Stephenson is an epic trash-talker but was never able to get a reaction from one of the league’s best: LeBron. There was one time, however, that must have pushed James over the edge. He he looked at Stephenson and responded, “What is wrong with you?”
Dwayne Wade
Chauncey Billups
Carmelo Anthony
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Which NBA legend talked trash in a sly way, with a subtle laugh or a grin?
Horace Grant
Rick Barry
Magic Johnson
Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan was often referred to as the quiet assassin during his playing days, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t able to dish the trash. Duncan preferred his signature sly, in-game smile or laugh to let opponents know how he was really feeling.
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Name the basketball star who returned a brutal staredown with the words, “You’re down 20, homie.”
Bobby Jones
Steph Curry
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant’s trash-talking game has grown over the past few years. One recent episode saw him return a staredown from Chris Paul with the quip, “You’re down 20, homie.” Ouch.
Kyle Lowry
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The dunk wasn’t enough? Which of these players used to dunk on his opponents and then give his dunks over-the-top names right from the court?
Darryl Dawkins
Darryl Dawkins’ trash talk typically involved dunking over an opponent and then introducing that opponent to the dunk’s on-the-fly name. One, in particular, stood out: “The Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam-Glass-Breaker-I-Am-Jam.” Say that three times fast.
Derek Fisher
Tyronn Lue
Eddie Jones
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Which former NBA player used an opponent’s teammate as a weapon in his trash talk?
John Wall
Larry Johnson
Larry Johnson had had enough of Scottie Pippen’s trash talk and finally decided to clap back with some commentary of his own. Johnson went for the jugular, telling Pippen to just “give the ball to 23 to bail you out,” a reference to Pippen’s teammate, Michael Jordan.
Scottie Pippen
Michael Jordan
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Nothing was off-limits to this guy. Which former NBA athlete used to make his trash talk personal?
John Havlicek
Gary Payton
Gary Payton’s record as a trash talker was well-known throughout the NBA, but Payton used to make it personal. He would attack players’ personal situations — or even family members — when trying to get under another person’s skin.
Kyle Korver
Dirk Nowitzki
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Which of these players got ejected for trash talk during the 2019 NBA playoffs and then kept talking after the game?
Steph Curry
Kevin Johnson
Kyrie Irving
Patrick Beverley
Patrick Beverley’s war of words with Kevin Durant got them both ejected from game 1 of the playoffs’ opening round. When asked about it later, Beverley continued his terse talk, saying, “I can’t say, I might get fined.”
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Which of these former basketball stars once said, “If you intimidate a guy, you’ve done your job?”
Ray Allen
Xavier McDaniel
For Xavier McDaniel, intimidating other players through his trash talk was just a part of the job. McDaniel, who had more than a dozen actual fights during his rookie season, said he had to send a message to other players that he wasn’t one to back down.
Chauncey Billups
Michael Jordan
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This guy took down an entire city with his trash talk, saying, “Cleveland really sucks.” Who did it?
Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah likely isn’t welcome in Cleveland anytime soon. He doubled down on his “Cleveland sucks” comment, adding, “Every time I look out my windows, it’s pretty depressing here, man. It’s bad. It’s bad.” Tell us how you really feel, Joakim.
LeBron James
Walt Bellamy
Tyson Chandler
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“The Mailman don’t deliver on Sundays” was trash talk directed at Karl Malone. Who was on the delivering end of this barb?
Michael Jordan
Charles Barkley
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen delivered perhaps one of the best trash talk lines of all time, using Malone’s nickname, “The Mailman.” Malone earned the nickname in college because he always delivered, but Pippen clearly thought otherwise.
Shaquille O’Neal
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This former NBA player let it be known that current players’ antics wouldn’t have lasted long in the 1990s. Who schooled the new guys?
Michael Jordan
John Starks
Former Knick John Starks was known as a pretty good trash talker in his day, and it apparently hasn’t ended. Not too long ago, he gave his take on some current players’ behavior, saying, “… he would probably have gotten checked real quick for his antics.”
Clyde Drexler
George Gervin
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Trash talk doesn’t always mean a lack of respect. Which of these former NBA players earned the respect of legend Larry Bird for his talk that he backed up with his play?
Chuck Person
Chuck Person had a mouth on him, that’s for sure. But, he backed up his talk with his play, earning him the respect of legends like Larry Bird. Bird said of Person that he appreciated the fire Person brought to the court.
Michael Jordan
Scottie Pippen
Charles Barkley
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Despite retiring in 2004, which of these former NBA athletes is still taking every opportunity to trash talk his former opponents?
Dale Davis
Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley is still gunning for Charles Barkley, taking pot shots at the now-broadcaster for “hiding” behind his TV gig. Oakley pulled no punches, telling Barkley he was never tough when the two met on the court.
Chris Webber
Wilt Chamberlain
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Never one to shy away from trash talk during his playing career, which of these former NBA stars recently threw shade at a current player for trying to build a “super team?”
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing knew a thing or two about playing with some great athletes, having been a part of Dream Team in 1992. Yet, Ewing said he never would have tried to unite all of those players on the same team, as the NBA is somewhat experiencing today, because of great rivalries that existed in his day.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Serge Ibaka
Bernard King
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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
His civic duty? Which of these NBA stars, renowned for his trash talk, tries to use it on his own teammates as “motivation?”
Lonzo Ball
Russell Westbrook
Bernard King
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo has been well-known throughout his career as one to dish out plenty of trash talk. As a teammate to Lonzo Ball, Rondo has admitted to using his trash talk on his own team to help motivate the NBA newcomer.
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Which of these NBA fixtures has a record of trash-talking multiple athletes without setting foot on the court?
Kobe Bryant
Spike Lee
The most famous feuds film director Spike Lee engaged in were clashes with Reggie Miller. Though Miller has moved on from the NBA, Knicks superfan Lee continues to engage in a war of words with plenty of current players.
Patrick Beverley
Drake
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Which of these NBA owners has racked up the fines – millions, in fact – for trash talking anyone in his vicinity?
Grant Hill
Mark Cuban
For most people, nearly $3 million in fines would be an insurmountable expense to pay. For Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, it’s just another day at the office. Cuban’s verbal tirades know no boundaries. He’s directed them at officials and said controversial things in the media.
Jerry Reinsdorf
Wyc Grousbeck
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ESPN
Keep it in the basketball family. Which of these sibling duos used to talk trash each other?
Cheryl Miller and Reggie Miller
Cheryl and Reggie Miller, the first brother-sister duo in the Basketball Hall of Fame, used to talk trash to each other as only siblings can. Though they never met on the court, it didn’t stop the pair from taking jabs at one another when they could.
Brook Lopez and Robin Lopez
Jarron Collins and Jason Collins
Jeff Van Gundy and Stan Van Gundy
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This NBA coach developed quite a reputation for mocking fans and taking shots at team owners. Who is this retired trash talker?
Steve Kerr
Mike D’Antoni
Luke Walton
Phil Jackson
Maybe he earned it for all the success he had. Former coach Phil Jackson wasn’t known for shying away from turning up the trash talk, taking players, fans and even team owners to task whenever he felt like it.
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