Chris Bosh and the Top 15 Fake Tough Guys in Sports

Apparently Kevin Durant doesn't think highly of Chris Bosh's toughness. In a report filed by FoxSports.com, Durant said, "There are a lot of fake tough guys in our league, and he's one of them.”

It was in reference to a verbal altercation earlier in the day between Bosh and Durant during the Oklahoma City Thunder's loss to the Miami Heat. 

While Bosh might be a fake tough guy, he's certainly not alone. The truth is that sports these days are riddled with fake tough guys. So now, let's take a look at some of the most notorious fake tough guys in professional sports.

15. Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL, Jacksonville Jaguars

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches the action during the game against the Washington Redskins at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Offense: Won't Say It And Mean It

When Jay Cutler sat out for the second half of the Chicago Bears NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, Mo Jo Drew had a few choice tweets for the much-maligned quarterback. He tweeted, “The Urban Meyer rule is in effect right now. When the going gets tough....QUIT.”

His comments got national attention, but when asked about his questioning of Cutler's heart and desire, MJD quickly denied he meant anything by his pointed comments. 

14. LeBron James, NBA, Miami Heat

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat on the bench with his wrapped ankle during play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Offense: Karma is a b****

When LBJ left Cleveland for South Beach, Dan Gilbert proclaimed James was a traitor, and the Cavs would win a title before the Heat ever would. Once the Cavs were in the middle of a 55-point blowout loss to the Lakers, and the perfect microcosm to their season, James tweeted that karma was a...well, you know.

When confronted about his comments, not only did James back off and deny it was about anyone, but denied even having created the tweet. He claimed it was a re-tweet, but there was nothing on the posting to indicate that.

This isn't the first time he's backed off, either. Nothing tougher than being afraid to own up to your Twitter opinion.  

13. Albert Haynesworth, NFL, Washington Redskins

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins stands on the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

Offense: Eating and Stomping Heads

We all remember Haynesworth back in the day. When he was playing for the Tennessee Titans, he was one of the baddest men on the planet. However, he delivered his toughest shots when you weren't looking for him. Like when he stomped the face of the Dallas Cowboys Andre Gorude.

And this is the same tough guy who couldn't muster up the manhood to complete a routine conditioning drill. Fat and tough don't always, or often, go together.  

12. Chris Bosh, NBA, Miami Heat

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 15: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat reacts after a play against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Heat 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Offense: Talking Out of Turn 

Apparently Chris Bosh doesn't think James Harden can dunk on him. That's what he told Kevin Durant after KD told Harden to dunk on Bosh next time.

However, Bosh's rep around the league is he's among the softest bigs playing today. He doesn't like to post up, and he's not a big fan of contact. He also ripped Omer Asik from the Chicago Bulls for diving near his legs for a loose ball.

Not exactly the kind of guy who should be jawing on the court.  

11. Chris Paul, NBA, New Orleans Hornets

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets moves the ball in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Offense: The Silent Fake Tough Guy 

You wouldn't think it to look at him, but CP3 is a fake tough guy of the worst kind. While he pretends to be the tough dude who takes all the abuse a basketball court can give him, he also has a bit of cheap-shot streak.

While Chris Paul has been known to give elbows and set nasty little screens, he has also been known to punch a guy where the sun don't shine. There is nothing worse or a more fake tough guy than that.

10. James Harrison, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after stopping running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens on a play during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in

Offense: Playing with His Head

No one would say that football players aren't tough by nature, but you earn Fake Tough Guy status by delivering the brunt of your biggest hits illegally. While James Harrison might lead the Steelers in sacks, he also leads the NFL in helmet-to-helmet shots.

Of course he threatened to retire after being fined. Apparently, if he can't be a fake tough guy, then he doesn't want to play.

9. Tim Sylvia, MMA Fighter

Offense: Genetically Enhanced Toughness 

It sure looked like Tim Sylvia was the real deal, but shortly after his first UFC title defense against Gan McGee, it was proven that Sylvia had taken steroids to achieve his massive frame. After that he's been most notably punched around by Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko.

Not so tough are we, Tim?  

8. Alex Ovechkin, NHL, Washington Capitals

Abelimages/Getty Images

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 22: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals shoots during warmup before game action at the Air Canada Centre January 22, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Offense: Cheap Shot Artist

While Ovechkin might arguably be the league's most celebrated player, he is also one of the biggest fake tough guys on the planet.

While stories of his toughness abound, most of his shots come on the blind side and when they don't need to be administered. Look no further than the nasty cheap shot he gave the Chicago Blackhawks' Brian Campbell last season.

Ovechkin delivers the knockout blow, but like a fake tough guy, it's usually a sucker punch.

7. Antonio Margarito, Boxing

Nick Laham/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 13: Antonio Margarito (black trunks) of Mexico looks on from his corner as he waits to fight Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during their WBC World Super Welterweight Title bout at Cowboys Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Arling

Offense: A Real Sucker Punch

A fighter makes a living off of their ability to pack a powerful punch. Margarito tried to take it a step further when he placed a plaster substance in his hand wrapping before fighting Shane Mosley.

While it's commendable that he was thinking ahead and understood that he was a little weak in the fighting department, it's still a fake tough guy move.  

6. Vicente Padilla, MLB, L.A. Dodgers

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Vincente Padilla of the Los Angeles Dodgers poses during media photo day on February 27, 2010 at the Ballpark at Camelback Ranch, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Offense: Head Hunter

We all love it when a pitcher protects the inside of the plate, but when they begin to use their cannon arm as a weapon, it signals we have a fake tough guy on our hands.

Vincente Padilla was such a bad guy, the Texas Rangers ate his $8 million dollar contract just to get him off the team.

His low point was breaking the San Francisco Giants' affable Aaron Rowand's face with a fastball. Nothing says tough like trying to break a guy's face from 60 feet away.  

5. Carl Edwards, NASCAR

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JANUARY 20: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac Ford, speaks to the media during the break from testing at Daytona International Speedway on January 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NAS

Offense: Attempted Manslaughter 

While road rage gets the best of so many people, running someone off the road is never OK, and there is nothing tough about it. So, when Carl Edwards tried to run Brad Keselowski off the road at the Gateway International, there were people like Ryan Newman who likened it to attempted manslaughter.

That's never OK.  

4. Chris Pronger, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 20: Chris Pronger #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Ottawa Senators on January 20, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Offense: Dirty Isn't Tough 

A lot of these guys on the list love to antagonize guys when they aren't looking. A tough guy doesn't wait till you're not looking. Chris Pronger has made a living out of hitting guys when they weren't expecting it.

Whether it be a high stick or stomping on another player's calf, Pronger knows all too well what a fake tough guy is all about.

3. Kimbo Slice, MMA

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- MAY 8: Kimbo Slice punches Matt Mitrione in their heavyweight bout at UFC 113 at Bell Centre on May 8, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Offense: Only Tough in the Streets 

While I wouldn't say any of the following to his face, it should be noted that Kimbo Slice is a bit of a fake tough guy.

Even though he made a name for himself beating up broken-down neighborhood guys, he has made a bigger name for himself by getting whooped all over the octagon in MMA.

He started off strong in MMA by whipping on tomato can fighters but quickly started proving that being the toughest guy on your block might just make you the biggest fake tough guy in MMA.

2. Floyd Mayweather, Boxing

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - MAY 01: (L-R) Floyd Mayweather Jr. in action against Shane Mosley during their welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Offense: Afraid of Pacman

The man who is supposed to be the fastest in all of boxing is apparently afraid to get into the ring with the one guy who can give him a run for the money. Mayweather agreed to fight Manny Pacquiao until Mayweather started imposing all the drug testing stipulations on the fight.

Manny walked at first but later agreed to a fair compromise. However, Floyd still won't fight him.

1. Kevin Garnett, NBA, Boston Celtics

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics stares down Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns after Garnett was called for a technical foul during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns de

Offense: Typical Bully

Garnett is a Hall of Fame player, but he's also a Hall of Fame fake tough guy. You can routinely find him on the court delivering cheap shots, shoves, pushes and elbows.

Who are KG's favorite targets? Rumor has it, he likes to pick on rookies and foreign players. Sounds like all the making of the fakest tough guy around.