Lamar Odom and 8 Biggest Prima Donnas in the NBA

The definition of a prima donna, according to Urban Dictionary, is a person who's considered vain, temperamental and/or conceited.

When scouring NBA rosters, several players fit the role of the high-maintenance character who borders on diva-type behavior.

But that doesn't mean the guys on this list aren't great players. To be a prima donna, you have to be worthy of the attention.

Here's a look at the top prima donnas in the NBA today.

Lamar Odom

Odom wasn't happy with being traded in the preseason in the nixed Chris Paul trade, then he wasn't happy with being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

All Odom has done since his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers is express his unhappiness and severally underachieve.

Poor Odom wants to play closer to Los Angeles and apparently isn't a happy camper if he doesn't get his way.

He's now headed to the D-League for at least one game which should really make this diva happy.

Dwight Howard

Is there any guy in the NBA who craves the attention right now more than Howard?

He's gone from lovable personality to attention-driven diva in the matter of three months.

Howard's consistent trade demands and his precious little list has changed many fans' opinion of him. The fact that he has trouble keeping his mouth shut and has-to-keep-talking-until-he-eventually-gets-his-way attitude isn't doing him any favors.

The constant back-and-forth updates of who he will sign with and whether or not he's willing to stay in Orlando has made him one of the top prima donnas in the NBA.

LeBron James

The inclusion of LeBron on this list mostly dates back to his high-maintenance days in Cleveland and the following spectacle of "The Decision."

He's gotten much less high maintenance this season and has tried to focus simply on basketball.

But he still craves attention and has to have an opinion about everything which still makes him look like a prima donna in most NBA fans eyes.

LeBron still doesn't handle criticism well, and public opinion gets to him.

He's in the middle of having a great season but could benefit by doing a little less talking.

Rajon Rondo

Rondo needs a babysitter half the time as if he's not being taken care or a temper tantrum could be coming very soon.

He's as high maintenance as it gets, and it's no wonder that the Celtics are putting him on the trade block at the moment.

Kobe Bryant

As great as Bryant is, he remains one of the biggest high-maintenance stars in today's game.

On the court, it's nothing but business for Bryant, but off the court, it's always been a different story.

If Bryant could be both the coach and general manager as well, he would since he's made enough comments in the past about the job both have done.

In the past, it was the "Me or Shaq ultimatum."

This year, it's the constant reminders about what general manager Mitch Kupchak hasn't been able to do to improve the team which is a reminder of why he still belongs on this list.

Paul Pierce

People in Boston won't agree with why Pierce makes this list, but outside of Boston, there's plenty of reasons why he's on it.

First, there's the wheelchair incident when Pierce got escorted off the court in a wheelchair during Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals, only to "miraculously" recover. 

Then there's been the constant chirping and trash talking combined with his ridiculous flailing every time he's fouled.

As a Celtic, he's been one of the most productive players in franchise history, but it's all the other stuff that earns him a spot on this list.

Kevin Garnett

Put Garnett in the same category as Pierce. Celtics fans love him, and he's had a great career, but there's always been the sideshow antics involved with Garnett.

His mouth never stops, and there was the incident on Christmas Day when he tried to choke New York's Bill Walker after a loss.

Who could forget the "Bar Fight," postgame interview?

Then there was the crazy Celtics-Bulls series of 2009. Garnett was sulking on the sidelines the entire time. If your team is at risk of getting knocked out of the playoffs, who wouldn’t want to play?

Especially when you’re seemingly healthy enough to jump around on the bench in excitement to celebrate.

It’s funny that Garnett always seems to pick on guys much smaller than him, but that tells the story of his career.

Carmelo Anthony

If LeBron makes the list, Anthony has to as well.

He pulled his superstar card and forced his way to New York but quickly found out that maybe he's not the superstar we once thought he was.

Melo has all the talent in the world, but it hasn't translated to wins.

Denver's been better off without him, and until Jeremy Lin showed up in the Big Apple, Anthony's become New York's whipping boy.

He could quickly be off this list though if he proves he can co-exist with Lin and lead the Knicks on a playoff push.