Miami Heat Hate: 10 Most Despised Players in Franchise History

Not many teams are hated more than the current Miami Heat.  

If you're a Heat fan, sure, you love the squad.

But if you're not, chances are you despise simply the thought of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all suited up in red and black.

However, hate is nothing new for Miami and the Heat franchise. 

Here are the top 10 most hated Heat players of all time.

10. Damon Jones

Though only spending one season with the Heat, Damon Jones garnered all the hate a player remotely could in just one season.

Jones was known for his on court antics, rubbing in his opponents' faces whenever he drained one of his clutch three pointers.  

Combine that with his pervasive arrogance and swagger, and Jones was not thought too highly of outside of South Beach.

9. Tim Hardaway

This way, that way, Hardaway.  

Tim Hardaway is one of the most popular players in Heat history, but he was detested by many during his NBA career.

Although Hardaway was just 6-foot, he made up for his size with his mouth. He was known for his constant trash talk that would last the duration of the entire game, every game.

If you had to guard Hardaway, you were in for a long, patience-testing 48 minutes.

8. Anthony Mason

Anthony Mason was strongly disliked for most of his NBA career because of his overly physical style of game play.

Mason enjoyed hard contact and it appeared he enjoyed inflicting pain on anyone he played against.

It was no exception when he played for Miami.

7. James Posey

James Posey was a huge part of the Heat's lone championship in 2006.

He made his presence felt on the court, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Perhaps too much at times. 

Actually, make that most of the time.

Posey often found himself "accidentally" running into his opponents. He also at times had a difficult time controlling his temper.

Add all of that up and Posey was one hated player during his stint with the Heat.

6. Jamaal Magloire

A current Heat player, Jamaal Magloire is on the team for one reason and one reason only: his physical presence down low.

Magloire has always been extremely physical in the paint, perhaps at times too physical.

If a fight breaks out while Magloire is on the floor and he didn't start it, you can make a solid bet that he's going to be the first one to rush over and join in on the action. 

5. Antoine Walker

Another crucial instrument in the Heat's 2006 title run, Antoine Walker finds himself at No. 5 on the list.

Walker was another player who throughout his entire career was detested for his arrogance on the court. Known for his annoying "shimmy" after three pointers, Walker was never hesitant to display his self-confidence.

His actions were only magnified as he joined Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade in pursuit of their title in South Beach. 

4. Alonzo Mourning

Before his kidney issues, Alonzo Mourning was despised by many across the league.

Known for his brash playing style and cocky muscle flexing, Mourning never failed to put on a show whenever he stepped on the court.

One of the more notorious moments in his career was a brawl against the New York Knick's Larry Johnson in Game Four of the first round of the 1998 playoffs.

However, once he became sick and battled his kidney disease, Mourning transformed from an arrogant villain to one of the feel good stories in the league. 

3. Dwyane Wade

Until this summer, it was hard to hate Heat star Dwyane Wade.

Known for his humility and humbleness, Wade was beloved by most basketball fans. He never talked bad about his organization and teammates, he never did anything to put his or the Heat's images in jeopardy.

He even bought a church for his mother back home in Chicago and is a part of several charities.

However, forget all of that now.

Gone is the humble Wade in most fans' eyes, and in is the new egomaniac who is the ring leader of "Miami Thrice."

Wade is now hated by many, as he was instrumental in putting the South Beach super team together.

He then proceeded to make some statements that didn't sit well with many across the league, statements like, "and even on the road, because every place is going to sell out when we come to town. So they can thank us now."

Wade has seemingly embraced the villain role place upon him this summer, and that's exactly what he will forever be outside the city of Miami.

2. Chris Bosh

Coming in at No. 2 is new Heat star Chris Bosh.

The hate for Bosh stems purely from the fact that he joined forces with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in Miami.

Outside of that, there's really no reason to hate Bosh.

He didn't leave his organization in an ugly fashion and was well liked by all in the city of Toronto.

However, just like Dwyane Wade, all of that goes out the window now that he has decided to take part in the South Beach super team.

While the hate may be unjustified at this point, it doesn't matter. It's still there, and there's plenty of it.

1. LeBron James

And finally at No. 1, you guessed it. 

LeBron James.

The man hasn't even played a game in a Heat uniform yet and he still has managed to become the single most hated player in franchise history.

How can you not put him at No. 1 on this list when, over this summer, he has become one of the most hated players in the entire league?

Again, the hate stems from his decision, especially how he conducted himself.

Nobody likes to see three super stars on a team, so his ill-advised one-hour special on ESPN was simply an excuse for basketball fans all over to hate him that much more.

Critics claim he's a coward, that he can't win a championship by himself.

Charles Barkley calls him a punk.

Dan Gilbert and Cleveland have labeled him a traitor.

It's gotten to the point that no matter what James does, it is viewed as the wrong move.

While everyone likes a winner as proven by Kobe Bryant, James will have a hard time escaping this stigma no matter how many championships he wins in Miami.