Ranking the Most Vicious NBA Big Men

Not everyone can be an NBA player. To thrive in such a physically demanding and competitive league, one needs to acquire a certain skill that sets them apart from the rest.

For some, it's their raw talent that ranks them superior in the league, while others are known for their physical attributes.

Quickness has allowed certain players to rise to prominence, while others have been blessed with breathtaking size, or athleticism.

Size is key in basketball, perhaps more so than any other sport. However, not every "big man" in the league is given the label due to their colossal height. Many acquire the characteristic because of their extreme level of strength.

Even the seven-footers need to establish a certain level of power in order to abuse opponents in a desired fashion.

Here's a list of the league's most vicious bullies, whose size, strength or athleticism strikes fear into the hearts of their opponents.

Honorable Mentions

Kevin Love

Kevin Love is one of the league's most dominant big men; however, the reasons for his constant dominance is much more than his ability to score in the post.

His versatile game has allowed him to become the league's top power forward, with his three-point and mid-range shooting abilities compensating for any low-post ability he may lack.

He is a fantastic rebounder and isn't afraid to go up after grabbing an offensive board; however, you won't see Love overpowering defenders, or pushing them around the way others in the league might.

Kris Humphries

Kris Humphries is one of the most underrated players in the league. As a constant double-double machine, Humphries never looks weak on the stat sheet, and in-game his contributions are many.

He is incredibly strong, and always falls in the top five in rebounds per game. However, offensively, Humphries leaves a lot to be desired, and while his defense is in no way poor, it certainly isn't eye-catching. 

Joakim Noah

Watching Joakim Noah play basketball is like watching a child fight with his mother over a toy. The kid will seemingly never run out of energy, and will fight for hours on end, but doesn't always win the fight.

Noah hustles more than any NBA big man in the league, and is a fantastic defender. However, offensively he's a bit of a liability, and Noah often finds himself outmatched in certain aspects of the game.

LeBron James

If this list entailed a list of all NBA players, LeBron James would undoubtedly be near the top. However, James isn't a true big man, and while he often plays the power forward position, he is naturally a small forward.

Still, James is one of the strongest, most tenacious players in the league "with no regard for human life," so he deserved at least an honorable mention.

Tyson Chandler

Tyson Chandler finally proved himself last season as one of the league's top centers, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award as well as All-NBA honors.

He emerged as an elite defensive force, and a dominant post player. Narrowly missing out on the top 10, Chandler is still one of the most vicious players in the NBA.

Serge Ibaka

When it comes solely down to shot blocking, Serge Ibaka is the league's most dominant big man. On offense, too, he has established himself as a force, both as a dunker as well as just an offensive presence.

However, his inconsistency ultimately forced him to drop a few spots, also barely missing the top 10 cut. 

10. JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee is a freak of nature. The rising center clocks in at seven feet, but his most impressive attribute is his 7'6'' wingspan.

It is due to these physical blessings that McGee has emerged as one of the league's most prominent dunkers, as well as one of the most showcased shot-blockers.

His intelligence is constantly in question, but then again—bullies are never stereotyped to be particularly smart.

McGee doesn't appear to be a bully in the sense that he is downright mean, but he certainly does his fair share of abusing with his frequent posters and relentless slams—often putting the basketball in the upper rows of the stands.

He worked with Hakeem Olajuwon over the offseason, and likely picked up a few tricks on how to knock opponents around from the man who did it so well himself.

He runs the floor well and will destroy anyone standing in his way on a fast break. The young center is improving rapidly but has already established himself as one of the league's most ferocious players.

9. Kenneth Faried

It is precisely his ability to abuse opponents on both ends of the floor that has earned Kenneth Faried the nickname, "The Manimal."

The nickname may be the best in the entire league, as it fits the player that Faried is perfectly. An animal at heart, you'll be hard-pressed to find a big man who plays with more hustle than the Denver sophomore.

He scored his first career points off of a steal/give and go/alley-oop and went on to pace himself to one of the best seasons of any 2012 rookie.

Faried was no stranger to the highlight reels, as he used his remarkable athleticism to wind up on the right side of several posters, while also leaving his mark on the defensive end, with the frequent rejection.

When you think of a wild animal, a fearsome, vicious beast comes to mind, and Faried is every bit an animal in his own right. In fact, he's a "Manimal," one that will continue to use his strength to dominate opponents throughout his NBA career.

8. Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick Perkins isn't like most of the guys on this list. He isn't an elite scorer, or a top player in the league. He doesn't stand out as one of the better players on his team, and is really nothing more than a role player.

However, he is without question one of the league's most vicious big men. Over the years, Perkins has garnered quite the reputation as one of the league's dirtiest players. He talks trash, throws elbows and never fails to leave his mark on whatever shoving match ensues in each particular game.

Opponents dislike him, because many feel that he fakes the entire act. False or not, he still has managed to become one of the NBA's most prominent bullies.

From an actual talent standpoint, Perkins is average at most. However, he is a solid defensive player, even though his defense is often dirty. Still, he clogs the middle well, and plays with a high level of physicality.

He is incredibly large in stature, making him even more intimidating to opponents. He may not play the game cleanly, but he still manages to perturb other players with his constant forceful actions.

7. Zach Randolph

When you're 6'9'' and can jump six inches off the ground—on a good day—it's hard to establish yourself as a dominant post player in the NBA.

However, Zach Randolph is living proof that you don't need to elevate 30 inches off of the ground in order to be a force in the paint.

Randolph has displayed an incredible level of strength during his NBA career, and his build—more suited for the NFL than the NBA, has allowed him to bully opponents in the paint without worry.

He won't "posterize" you, but Randolph will undoubtedly crash the paint and fight for every board, winning the battle more than not.

He's no stranger to the offensive glass and has never expressed any qualms about following up an offensive board, completely unconcerned by the player who stands between him and the basket.

Randolph bumps opponents around at will, completely abusing anyone who challenges his strength, doing so in a vicious manner that leaves competitors mystified.

6. Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum is an above-average player at a weak position, so it goes without saying that he has a clear advantage over almost everyone he plays. Second only to Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum is one of the league's best centers, and he finally proved it to the NBA after escaping injury last season.

He doesn't dominate with finesse or grace, instead exerting force with his power, using his size and strength to push opponents out of the way, clearing the way for an open dunk.

Even if a defender manages to stay in front of the Philadelphia big man, Bynum rarely displays any signs of difficulty when it comes to powering the ball into the hoop.

He is a very successful rebounder and contributes greatly to his team's defense each night, picking up multiple blocks per game.

As long as he's healthy, he's one of the most dominant big men in the game—and he's still on the rise. Expect a strong career of dunks, blocks and overall pure dominance for Andrew Bynum.

5. Amar'e Stoudemire

Amar'e Stoudemire's career has taken quite a hit, as of the late. Plagued by injury, the once-legendary power forward is slowly declining, as it is clear that his best years are behind him.

However, despite his inevitable aging, Stoudemire has remained one of the strongest, most powerful players in the entire league, and an elite player nonetheless.

His defense is slowly withering away, but he still remains a force in the middle, whenever the Knicks need someone to clog the middle or contest an inside shot.

On offense, S.T.A.T. is one of the strongest inside presences in the entire league, constantly forcing himself into traffic, ultimately overpowering anyone who tries to stop him.

He can throw down a hammer, and even when he isn't performing a breathtaking dunk, Stoudemire still goes up strong, scoring at a high level from inside.

Rebounding also remains a strength for the big man, who averaged a more-than-adequate 7.8 rebounds per game in what many consider to be the worst season of his career.

He is aging but has yet to feel the full effects of it, and he remains the vicious low-post player he was in his youth. 

4. DeMarcus Cousins

Just looking at DeMarcus Cousins is enough to send a shiver down my spine. From his 6'11'', 270-pound frame down to his off-the-charts strength, Cousins proposes a threat in every single way.

His menacing frame, supplemented by his insane athleticism, make the young big man one of the most powerful post players in the league, as well as one of the most threatening defensive presences in the NBA.

He displays a complete disregard for the well-being of his opponents, as every NBA player should—never hesitating to push his defender out of the way to make room for a scoring opportunity.

He's one of the league's most powerful dunkers and will do his best to block or contest any shot attempted by the opposing team. 

Cousins also proposes somewhat of a threat off the court, as his constant attitude problems are threatening enough as it is.

He's built like a lion, and moves like a tiger, so any defender preparing for a battle with the young Sacramento better prepare well, because Cousins is a beast that you don't want to mess with.  

3. Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin has been frequently labeled as one of the league's fakest tough guys, and in some ways, critics may be right.

For such a dominant player, Griffin does his fair share of whining, and is one of the league's most infamous floppers. He's known for picking fights with guys half his size, and he rarely ever resorts to violence to back up his trash talk.

However, while he may shy away from fights, his superlative athleticism cannot be questioned, and I highly doubt any defender in the league will testify that he enjoys standing in the lane when Griffin readies himself to slam down one of his celebrated dunks.

He has turned Timofey Mozgov's name into a verb, and given countless other NBA players attention for the wrong reason. 

Griffin is widely known as one of the league's most dominant power dunkers, and even though his other post moves need polishing, you cannot deny his spot as one of the league's most powerful big men.

2. Dwight Howard

In a league where the center position is so weak, being an above-average one provides you with an enormous advantage. When you're the best center in the league, however, the level of dominance that you can exert is unfathomable. 

Dwight Howard is the best center in the league, and barely any debate can be made for any other player. The interval between him and the league's average center is so wide, that Howard could dominate them in his sleep.

He is the league's best rebounder, as he uses his unparalleled strength to knock the opposition around as much as he likes. On defense, Howard is one of the league's best, as he always finds himself sending attempted shots into the bleachers.

On offense, Howard manipulates defenders until he finds himself near the basket, to which point he elevates, often finishing with a highlight-worthy slam dunk.

Defenders pose little threat to Howard, who simply dominates them with his strength until the final buzzer sounds. In a more competitive league, Howard would still be great, but when there is so few worthy opponents, Howard is so authoritative that it is almost unbearable.

1. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is the epitome of a basketball bully.

He plays with unprecedented intensity, hustling to impact the game in any way possible. He isn't the biggest guy in the NBA, nor is he the strongest or the most athletic, but the fact that Garnett performs every play as if it was his last makes up it.

He's as dominant an inside player as there is today, and he will go out of his way to ensure that he strikes fear into the heart of opponents. 

He'll push you around in the paint until you've had enough, and then caps that off with a monster block, sending the ball into the stands, glaring you down after he does so.

And just when you think he's done, Garnett will race down the lane, slamming down a dunk, all the while talking trash—just to remind you that he means business.

He sees the game as more than just basketball, he sees at as a battle, a war, a bar fight—and he's willing to do anything to ensure that he finishes on top.

It is exactly this characteristic of his play that makes him so vicious and intimidating, so don't cross Kevin Garnett, unless you want to get bumped around and abused for 48 minutes straight.