The Rex Ryans of the NBA: 10 Players Who Are More Bark Than Bite
Trash talking is an art practiced in every sport created by men. Some say it energizes teams and increases confidence. Others say it creates distractions and increases pressure. Regardless, trash talking definitely has an impact on the game. If a player barks too much and fails to deliver, it builds their reputation and more often than not flags them as a Rex Ryan type of sportsman.
In the NBA, several players have made themselves known for talking the talk, and not walking the walk. In some cases, it is all they have been known for.
Here is a list in no particular order of 10 players that bark more than they bite.
Enjoy.
10. Quentin Richardson
1 of 10
The "Q" has been known for being a shooter that can make threes here and there next to a good playmaker. Besides that, not much is heard from the guy regarding anything basketball related.
Despite being a one-dimensional player at best, "Q" has managed to find himself in consistent trash talk throughout the league. His history of trash talking with the Boston Celtics alone nets him a spot on his list.
His most recent talk included references to how he would not accept a "cheer-leading" role with the Miami Heat. In all honesty, he would have probably had an easier time getting open in Miami than Orlando. Lets see if he can produce enough in Orlando to live up to his claims.
9. Kendrick Perkins
2 of 10
If one would sit down and list the scariest players in the NBA, Perkins would probably be among the top on the list. If only his menacing gestures and continuous rants on the court could translate to better production...
A lot of Kendrick's fame as an intimidator comes from his comments off the court. He is constantly making bold predictions about games, and how nobody should attempt to drive to the hoop.
More times than not, the result of the game is Kendrick getting in foul trouble and Kevin Garnett doing all the intimidating on his own.
For a guy that barks as loud and as often as any other player in the league, it would be nice to see him bite a few times. But please Kendrick, not literally. We are scared of you enough already.
8. Baron Davis
3 of 10
The NBA community needs to start worrying if Baron Davis will get back to his old self at all. Just a few years removed from being one of the most dynamic point guards in the league, he is showing that his ability, although still great, has taken a steep decline.
His productivity is not bad at all, just not what it used to be. He is still a very capable NBA player. Where he has lost his touch is in the leadership department. In Los Angeles, he has been the first unmotivated player and the last player willing to care to do anything worth noticing on the court at times.
Still, his trash-talking has been consistent. It is very easy to hear Baron make promises at the beginning of the season, and even after a winning streak to then fail to converge and complete his promises.
It has been rumored that Davis has gained 45 pounds over the summer. If that is true, lets just hopes he does not follow that up with some crazy explanation, and a promise for the Clippers 2010-2011 season.
7. DeShawn Stevenson
4 of 10
Where to start with this guy? Known by many to be an energy player and a good defender with a nice three-point shot, he goes over his head a little too much.
Stevenson is not even an above average player. He is not even a rotation player anymore. When you play for a team that has serious holes at the wings like he did when playing for the Wizards three years ago, the only reason you are there is because there really is not anyone else.
Regardless, he decides to go all "I can't feel my face" every time he makes three-pointers and consider LeBron James "overrated."
You not only get a spot on this list for that, but you also somehow get a dissed at by Jay-Z in a song. Ouch.
6. Michael Beasley
5 of 10
Ok. this one is not all Michael's fault. I am actually including his dad on this one. Since coming to the league as one of the best prospects since LeBron James and the rest of the 2003 class, Beasley has underachieved in many ways.
Considered too proud and too selfish for his own good, Beasley actually proved critics right in his first few seasons by failing to control his behavior both on and off the court.
Although he has been humbled through the year, it has not affected his dad's behavior. Beasley would have been off this list if it was not for comments from Mr. Beasley Sr., which included "The Miami Heat will regret trading my son."
No. They won't. They have a darn good team and no real need for a player like Beasley. But please, Mr. Beasley Sr., keep making comments if you promise to give us more entertaining reasons of why he was traded.
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/father-beasley-traded-for-looking-like-delonte-28665
5. Damon Jones
6 of 10
Can you think of the top five basketball shooters in the world? I am sure Damon Jones was right on the top of that list, right? Well, maybe not but he is definitely at the top of his own list.
Damon has been quoted countless times claiming to be the best shooter in basketball. He has also been quoted admitting to be in a slump. Really? The best shooter in the world in a slump?
Of course, he followed all his shooting comments by averaging 40 percent in his career. Al least he also averaged 40 percent from three-point land, so it was not terrible.
He did not say he was the best scorer in the world, so lets give him that. Still, a guy that goes from claiming such titles, and then out of the league in three years has a spot on this list as easy as anyone else on here.
4. Charlie Villanueva
7 of 10
When was the last time Charlie Villanueva did anything worth mentioning in an NBA game? Ever since he scored 48 points in a single game, and showed to be one of the top rookies in his class, he has gone downhill.
Since two years ago, it seems he has constantly been looking for a bounce-back year. This coming year? No different. He has been interviewed several times and asked about the coming season. He has responded saying he wants to be the starter, and is looking forward for a breakout season.
We have heard that before. At this point, it is hard to believe what Charlie says. It is sad that had he had not suffered so many injuries he might have actually had a shot at a breakout year. But trends rarely lie, and it seems like he will be the kind of player he is right now forever.
He needs to understand that and stop promising wonderful things all the time.
3. Rudy Fernandez
8 of 10
First of all, Rudy Fernandez came into the league in 2008, and since then has averaged nine points on 40 percent shooting. It is still obscure to me why Portland thinks so high of its Spanish guard, and not just trade him already.
They have enough wings on the team, and behind Brandon Roy, there really is not many minutes for him anyway.
Regardless, Fernandez has taken the worst approach to this team as he possibly can. It sometimes feels like he thinks he deserves superstar treatment when it comes to being traded. The worst part is that teams like the New York Knicks are providing just that.
Rudy Fernandez and his agent are too high on him. After two subpar seasons, it his hard to find evidence to give any kind of credibility to Rudy Fernandez. Regardless, after a summer of trade requests and disrespectful attitude towards his team, he did come up big down the road for Spain in the World Championships.
He might have started some kind of credibility. Let's see if it pans out.
2. Allen Iverson
9 of 10
Once one of the best players in the NBA, Allen Iverson is struggling to find a spot in any roster around the league.
He is not struggling because of lack of talent. Even the 35-year-old version of Iverson is capable of producing more than most guards in the NBA. But his ego and his ill approach to team basketball is still as high as it ever was when he used to lead the league in scoring.
At this point of his career, Allen Iverson sounds like a tired dog that constantly barks, but looks like it is not capable of putting up a fight if it were to confront anything.
Allen will be a Hall of Famer some day, regardless of his attitude and productivity towards the end of his career. Also, this last few years will also put him on the many other blacklists, including this one.
1. Shaquille O'Neal
10 of 10
Although this list is not a ranking, Shaq would still be No. 1 if it was.
Shaquille O'Neal will go down in history as one of the NBA's most dominant players, best centers, best champions, etc. But if one thing is for sure, he will go down as the best trash-talkers.
O'Neal has the resume to say a lot of things. But a lot of times he forgets he is still playing basketball professionally, and not so well. Most of his comments would have not been argued a few years back, but at the moment, they barely make any sense.
O'Neal constantly criticizes and disrespects players without looking at a lot of aspects of his game that have gone downhill and deserve just as much criticism.
O'Neal has gone from champion to journeyman. He has gone from dominant to liability. He has gone from funny to annoying. It is time his barking stops.
Move over, Shaq. There is a whole new pack of dogs that will come barking to your door and it would be best if you don't bark back.
