The top 5 most hated NBA teams of all times featuring ‘Bad Boy’ Detroit Pistons, ‘The Heatles’ Miami Heat, and more
Throughout NBA history, there have been countless teams that have taken on the role of an antagonist. Some were so dominant that they didn't give other teams even a sniff, while others caught backlash for how the team was formed.
From the 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons to LeBron James' Miami Heat, here are the top five most hated teams in NBA history.
#5 KD, James Harden, Kyrie Irving Brooklyn Nets
This might be a controversial choice given how little time they spent together, but this iteration of the Brooklyn Nets has a case to be on this list. When the trio of superstars first formed in 2020, the NBA was filled with outrage.
Part of why this group caught so much hate was because of how it came together. After essentially forcing the Houston Rockets to trade him, James Harden joined forces with former teammate Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Together, they formed a three-headed monster that the league had never seen before.
Despite how worried opponents were at the start, this pairing was short-lived. They played only 16 games together, going 13-3 in that stretch, before Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons. Along with being a hated group, this team also belongs on the list of the biggest NBA what-ifs.
James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving played in only 16 games together.
The Nets went 13-3 in those games (8-2 in the regular season and 5-1 in the playoffs). https://t.co/DzVP9wX9Sj
#4 The 1986 Boston Celtics
During the 1980s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson had a rivalry that will forever stand the test of time. They battled it out all throughout the decade, and put on countless phenomenal performances.
In an effort to overcome Johnson's LA Lakers, the Boston Celtics put together one of the greatest teams ever assembled. They acquired Bill Walton, who was just past his prime by then, and filled their roster with as many as five future Hall of Famers.
Led by Bird, they went on to win 67 games in the regular season and secured the NBA title that year. It might not be the first team that comes to mind immediately with respect to hate. However, this group was hated by most simply because of how dominant it was.
#3 Kevin Durant's Warriors
Kevin Durant appears on this list again, only now he is the reason why his team was subjected to backlash. After losing to the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the postseason while playing for the OKC Thunder, Durant decided to join them in free agency.
Like the '86 Celtics, this iteration of the Warriors was hated because of how unstoppable they were. KD and Steph Curry were both among the top five players in the league at the time and wreaked havoc together. Opposing defenses had no chance of ever slowing them down enough to secure a victory.
Durant added two NBA titles and Finals MVP's to his resume before making his way to Brooklyn in free agency.
#2 LeBron James 'Heatles' Miami Heat
Following countless failed postseason runs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James decided it was time for a change of scenery in 2010. He opted to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat.
All still in the prime of their careers, the trio was expected to run the league for the next decade. Along with how dominant they were, the Heat were the villians of the league because of how the stars all came together in free agency.
During their run together, the Heat made it to four straight finals and walked away with two championships.
Ray Allen.
Dwyane Wade.
Chris Bosh.
LeBron James.
Former teammates at #21HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony! https://t.co/ljwQ9dzBbz
#1 The 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons
As expected, coming in at the top spot are the 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons. Led by Isiah Thomas, this group ran riot with their brash style of play.
There are physical teams, and then there's the Bad Boys. The Pistons prided themselves on making sure opponents felt their presence every time they got close to the rim.
Detroit gladly embraced the villain role and thrived off it. With their in-your-face attitude, they managed to win successive NBA titles in 1989 and 1990.