PG. Gary Payton
“Man, you won’t even be in the league next year.”- Payton to Jamie Feick
The Glove was one of the most aggressive point guards to ever play the position. He was so so ruthless and taunting with his play which is part of the reason why he is 4th all time in steals. If you ever watch him play, Payton would always be in the ear of the opposing guard, daring him to make a move where he knows they’re most uncomfortable. Gary Payton’s vintage clap in the face would always grind the gears of the opponent and throw them off their rhythm. What was so special about Payton was his short-term memory, in which he always hounded you even if he was getting beat and led to some great defensive plays in big moments. Payton didn’t shy always from big names either, as he always butted heads with the likes of Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan.
SG. Michael Jordan
“You got no chance today and you never will” - Jordan to Barkley
The Jumpman himself is the greatest player of all-time, so it only makes sense that humility would be foreign to him. Jordan always let his play do the talking, but talking trash was always in his repertoire since his rookie season. From shooting free throws with his eyes close, to degrading other players, to the vintage shoulder shrug and tongue out, Jordan always made his presence known to everybody he was playing against. One game he actually commentated exactly what he was going to do to his former teammate Nick Anderson, and did it, ““I’m coming down. I’m going to dribble it between my legs twice. I’m going to pump fake and then I’m going to shoot a jumper. And then I’m going to look at you. And that’s exactly what he did.” Being the ultimate demoralizer that Jordan was, he always made it a goal to degrade his opposition, and he was the best at it.
SF. Matt Barnes
“Suck my d---, b----” - Barnes to James Harden’s mom
Matt Barnes won’t be working for Poland Spring anytime soon, because his filter seems to be non-existent. Barnes is one of the biggest instigators the league has ever seen and often receives criticism from fans for being a “fake tough guy”. He often played the role of enforcer, if you’re familiar with hockey the enforcer is the designated fighter of the team to provide a spark. His trash talk wasn’t necessarily about basketball more so than it was about ego, as he wasn’t the greatest player to ever grace an NBA court. Nonetheless, Barnes was extremely effective at getting under player’s skins and forcing altercation.
PF. Kevin Garnett
“Can I rub through your hair like a girl or something” - Garnett to Joakim Noah
Sure KG is one of the greatest power forwards to ever play this game, and although he didn’t go to college, he would have earned a degree in psychology. The Big Ticket was commander in chief of psychological warfare as he always got in the heads of his opponents. Paul Pierce recalls a time where Garnett crushed Noah’s heart and dreams, “ I remember Noah looked up to KG. He was like, 'Man, KG, I had your poster on my wall, I looked up to you, man.' And then [Garnett] just said something like that, and was like 'F--- you, Noah’.” said the Truth. I’m sure everyone remembers the famous fruity pebbles comment on Carmelo Anthony’s wife LaLa that made Melo so enraged that he went looking for KG after the game to fight him. That was just one example of the great trash talking artist. Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat recalled a trash talk story, saying, “ He got me all off my game. He scored, like, four times in a row on me in the crunch. And I was so embarrassed and so upset, and he got in my head. Ever since that day, I never said anything else."
C. Joakim Noah
“F--- you, you still a b---- tho.” - Noah to LeBron James
Joakim Noah doesn’t like Lebron James. Joakim Noah doesn’t like Cleveland. We’ve been witnessing this feud for several years now, since LeBron’s first tenure with the Cavs, and then to the Heat. Noah’s frustration probably comes from the four times that Lebron’s team sent the Bulls home packing, as LeBron is 4-0 against Chicago in the playoffs. But nonetheless, it’s entertaining to see Noah and his energetic clapping every time the Cavs seem to be flummoxed, even if it’s in precarious situations But still, he is the only person to talk down on LeBron on and off the court, so kudos for Noah trying to stir things up in today’s Charmin-like NBA.
RESERVES:
PG. Allen Iverson
The crossover phenom always shamed his opponents when he broke their ankles and went head on in the trash talk ring against the great Kobe Bryant
SG. Kobe Bryant
If it weren’t for Jordan, Kobe would be considered the greatest trash talker of all time. It’s only right, right?
SF. Larry Bird
Considered the silent assassin, Bird will degrade you so bad and act like he never did it.
PF. Rasheed Wallace
"Ball don't lie!" The all-time leader in technical fouls. Wallace never backed down to any player, or official for that matter.
C. Shaquille O’Neal
The most physically dominant player in history, Shaq both physically and mentally imposed his will on opponents
Honorable Mentions: Paul Pierce, Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller
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