Kevin Garnett and 10 Most Intense Players in the NBA

Basketball players have been known to jaw at each other—take, for example, Rasheed Wallace, Dennis Rodman and the many other players known for making basketball more entertaining for the fans.

Merriam-Webster defines intensity as "extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling."

While intensity can be good for the basketball court it may also have ramifications if not channeled correctly. It can lead to feuds not only between teams but within teams.

We'll leave the decision of the impact of intensity up to the reader.

For now, here is a countdown of the NBA's 10 most intense players.

10. Amar'e Stoudemire

Amar'e Stoudemire is undoubtedly a very emotional player.

You can see it throughout his game and the ferocity with which he dunks the ball. His recent injury problems have limited his on-court play, but there is no denying he plays the game with extreme force.

Come on, the guy punched a fire extinguisher after a playoff loss at the hands of the Miami Heat.

Need we say more?

9. DeMarcus Cousins

The Kings center is becoming a force in the paint, both offensively and defensively.

His 18 points and 11 rebounds per game for a terrible Sacramento team is extremely impressive, considering he was surrounded by a team that for the most part couldn't play to his level.

And while he has tattooed "misunderstood" on his leg, Cousins errs on the side of immaturity and hotheadedness—qualities that often come with intensity.

His multiple ejections and fight with Kings forward Donte Green show just a bit of the intensity in the 21-year-old big man.

Hopefully he can learn to control his temper because if so, he will enter in the discussion of the NBA's best centers.

8. Carmelo Anthony

Although Carmelo Anthony told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that the notion he is selfish is "a slap in the face," he has that tag attached to him.

Right or wrong, Melo always wants to take the shot and does isolate himself frequently in games.

These effects are the result of his intensity on the court and desire to win. He wants the ball because he thinks he can do what it takes to get the job done.

The Knicks' quick first-round exit was more complicated than blaming it solely Anthony. In fact, his 41-point explosion led to the only win the Knicks had in the first round of the playoffs against the Heat.

As with many of the league's gifted scorers, Carmelo plays with an incredible intensity that is not readily quantifiable.

7. Monta Ellis

Monta has always been intense.

Having been able to watch him regularly when he played in Golden State, I cannot recall ever seeing a smile on Ellis' face.

Like mentioned about Carmelo, many scorers have an intensity about them that leads them to their successes (and failures). Monta thinks he can score at will—and while at times that is true, he does not have the ability to get to the rim of someone like reigning MVP LeBron James.

Watch him play, and you will see the incredible concentration in the young Bucks guard.

6. MWP

First, let me say I completely agree with ESPN's Bill Simmons assessment of the new legal name of the Laker forward formerly named Ron Artest.

I simply cannot call someone "World Peace" after helping instigate the "Malice at the Palace." His career of actions has been anything but peaceful. After the hit on James Harden, it seemed like a mockery of the term.

Regardless, MWP plays the game with an intensity that is matched by few others in the NBA. His incredible defense is the main way that NBA fans have seen this emotion.

So, in addition to the intensity of scorers, it is a common theme throughout the NBA that strong defensive presences are usually intense players.

You may (or may not) like MWP, but there is no denying he plays the game like his life is on the line.

5. Joakim Noah

The Bulls big man wears intensity on his face.

Continuing on from the trend of intense defensive presences, Joakim Noah definitely fits that bill.

While his on-court intensity may sometimes get the best of him, like it did in the playoffs last year, Noah is a crucial piece of the puzzle in Chicago and adds solid interior defense to complement the incredible offensive firepower headed by former NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

4. Kobe Bryant

The Laker legend is already in the discussion of all-time NBA greats.

His on-court intensity is a main reason Kobe has been such an incredible success.

There is no doubt Kobe wants to do whatever it takes to make himself and his team better. Although it may not always work out like he thinks it should, his five championships show that he is a winner.

From his hours of shooting practice to his desire to take the big shots, Kobe Bryant is the epitome of intensity in a scorer.

You don't get a nickname like the "Black Mamba" without reason.

3. Russell Westbrook

He looks even crazier than MWP sometimes.

The emotional display after finishing an "and-one" play in the Western Conference finals against the Spurs will be emblazoned in my mind as a representative moment of the intensity that the Thunder point guard plays with.

After getting fouled, his slow, big steps followed by a lion-like yell was almost maniacal.

But that is how he plays, and love him or hate him, he did help lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals.

Westbrook is the most intense scorer currently in the NBA, which leaves the final two spots to big men who often get snubbed of the credit they deserve.

2. Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick Perkins may be the nicest guy off the court, but on the court, he has the reputation as one of the NBA's fiercest defenders.

He may be more than below average in terms of offensive ability, but his defensive intensity has made him the centerpiece of the Boston Celtics and now the Oklahoma City Thunder.

His 6'10" frame isn't particularly overwhelming, but his interior defense is one of the best in the league.

After being thrust into the national spotlight on championship (-winning and -caliber) teams, the Thunder big man is an intimidating force down low.

And Perk is still only 27 years old.

1. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is the most intense player in the NBA. Period.

Like Perkins, Garnett is quiet off the court and has been very good at avoiding the cameras throughout his career.

But no one who has seen him on the basketball court is fooled about the emotion the Celtics forward plays with.

From the pregame head-pounding ritual (see introductory slide picture) to the on court domination, Kevin Garnett's intensity has been one of the main reasons he has been able to perform at such a high level into his late 30s.

And while some players on this list have aspects of immaturity or hot-headedness, KG channels his energy effectively.

Like mentioned earlier, these types of high-strung players are generally either scorers or defensive stoppers.

Garnett fits the bill in not one of those categories, but both. His talent on both sides of the court is a result of the all-out intensity that Garnett plays with night in and night out.

Who can forget that "anything is possible!!"