NBA Power Rankings: The 10 Most Awkward Player-Organization Relationships
The first half of this NBA season has been filled with excitement as well as intriguing stories.
LeBron James and his friends got off to a relatively slow start, but are starting to put it together, finding themselves among the league's elite. The Cleveland Cavaliers broke the record for most consecutive losses in a single season with 26. Jerry Sloan shocked everyone with his sudden retirement.
And don't forget about those Los Angeles Lakers, who are two-time defending champions. They have struggled as of late, but look poised to make another run at their third straight title.
The league has had a lot of great moments as well as some breakout players in the first half. However, it hasn't been a bed of roses for everybody.
Between attitude problems, teams fighting amongst each other and even a team owner berating his own player on the court, the league has also had quite a bit of controversy. That controversy has created some tension between players and their organization.
The following is a list of the top 10 most awkward relationships between players and their organizations.
10. Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets
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Brooks, coming off a career year a season ago, began the year as the Rockets starting point guard. He played well, averaging 16.4 points and 5.4 assists per game in the teams first five games.
Things quickly took a turn for the worse when Brooks suffered a high ankle sprain in a game against the Spurs, causing him to miss over a month of action.
While Brooks was out, the Rockets turned to Kyle Lowry to run the point, and he didn't disappoint. Lowry played well enough that when Brooks eventually returned, he was relegated to coming off the bench, much to his chagrin.
Brooks' frustration finally boiled over in a game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 5. After being taken out of the game midway through the fourth quarter, Brooks walked straight to the team's locker room instead of sitting on the bench.
Brooks earned a one-game suspension for his actions and has returned only to see his minutes stay in the low 20s.
Anytime a player walks out on his team, it's not a good sign. There is clearly tension between Brooks and the Rockets. It is interesting to note that Brooks will be a restricted free agent this summer, so his days in Houston are likely numbered.
9. Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Love has had a record-setting season already, recording 42 straight double-doubles, breaking the record for most double-doubles before the All-Star break. He has 51 total on the season, highlighted by his 31-point, 31-rebound effort against the Knicks on Nov. 12.
What has made Love's season even more impressive is that he seemed to start the season in head coach Kurt Rambis' doghouse. He only played over 30 minutes once in the team's first seven games, leading to speculation that Rambis and Love were feuding.
Love said all the right things publicly, denying having any problem with the coach. Rambis eventually came to his senses and increased Love's playing time. The move has paid off in a big way, with Love averaging 21.1 points and 15.5 rebounds on the season.
Still, one has to wonder what caused Love to receive only limited playing time to start the season. It didn't do anything to help Love's relationship with the Timberwolves going forward.
But on the court, everything continues to be smooth sailing for Mr. Double-double.
8. Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers
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Common sense would lead you to believe that Ron Artest should be happy in Los Angeles.
Artest received a ring as part of last year's championship team (which he has since sold for a good cause), gets to play alongside one of the league's best players in Kobe Bryant and gets to chat it up with Hollywood stars on a nightly basis.
However, common sense has never really applied to Artest. More than anything, he usually leaves people scratching their head in confusion.
Such was the case recently when reports surfaced that Artest had requested a trade from the Lakers. Apparently, Artest has been disappointed with his role this season.
Artest has also been repeatedly called out by head coach Phil Jackson and obviously has not taken the criticism to well.
The Lakers have the second best record in the West at 38-19 and are a good bet to reach their third consecutive NBA finals. One would think Artest should just be glad to be along for the ride.
Then again, this is Ron Artest we are talking about.
7. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
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In case you didn't know: Carmelo wants out of Denver.
He will likely get his wish with the Nuggets trading him before the Feb. 24 deadline. The Knicks and Nets are the two favorites to land the Denver superstar.
The Nuggets have played the whole season knowing their best player wants out. Numerous trade rumors have involved many of the team's players, including guard Chauncey Billups. Despite all of the distractions, Denver still has a 32-25 record, currently holding the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Still, it must be difficult for the organization and fans alike to watch a team led by a player who is counting the days until he gets to leave town.
6. Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Many people in Cleveland took the loss of LeBron James pretty hard. To this day, the city and the team has yet to recover. The Cavs recently set the record for most consecutive losses during a single season with 26.
Maybe no one was more effected by LeBron's "decision" than guard Mo Williams, who talked about how he contemplated retirement after he heard the news.
With LeBron gone, the Cavs were planning to lean on veteran leaders Antawn Jamison and Williams. Williams has had a disappointing and injury-plagued season so far, averaging 13.2 points per game in just 36 games.
The Cavs can't feel to comfortable knowing that when the going gets tough, one of their leaders begins to contemplate if he should call it quits.
5. Eddy Curry, New York Knicks
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Curry is making $11.2 million this season to sit on the Knicks bench in street clothes and watch the team play.
That's not a bad gig to have.
Head coach Mike D'Antoni and the entire Knicks organization have refused to dress Curry this season. Over the past three seasons, he has only played in a total of 10 games for New York.
The team clearly wants to get rid of Curry as soon as possible and could add his expiring contract in any deal they make at the deadline.
4. Gilbert Arenas, Orlando Magic
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This time last year, Gilbert Arenas was on suspension for bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room. His actions also led to an altercation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton, which was over a game of cards.
This year, Arenas received a fresh start when he was traded to the Orlando Magic as part of a deal that sent Rashard Lewis to Washington. Arenas seemed happy at the time, but is now back to creating negative headlines and complaining about his role.
Arenas recently blamed his poor play on his aggressiveness. After a game on Feb. 6, Arenas cited the fact that he didn't eat breakfast, causing him to go 0-7 from the field.
That's not exactly the best way to endear himself to his new team.
3. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
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Cousins has only been in the NBA for a few months now, but he has already found several ways to leave his mark on the league and his new team.
Not in a good way, either.
On draft day, Sacramento debated whether the talent that Cousins possessed was worth the well-documented character issues he had. While he has had a good rookie season so far, averaging 14 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, he has also had several issues on and off the court that have been embarrassing for not only himself but his team.
Cousins has been kicked out of practice on multiple occasions for arguing with the coaching staff. He was benched for taunting the Warrior's Reggie Williams with a choke sign on the court. Most recently, Cousins got in to an altercation with teammate Donte Greene after Greene passed the ball to Tyreke Evans instead of Cousins on the team's final possession.
His behavior has put the Kings in a very difficult position. Do they give up on him and look to deal him elsewhere? Or do they hold on to him and hopes he matures sooner rather than later?
Either way, Cousins is not off to good start when it comes to making friends within the Kings organization.
2. Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
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In his 12-year career, Rip Hamilton has won a championship and been named an All-Star three times.
You wouldn't know any of that by the way the Pistons have treated Hamilton of late.
Earlier this season, Hamilton was rumored to be part of a trade that would have sent Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey. As the rumors swirled, Hamilton was benched by head coach John Kuester and the Pistons.
Hamilton said he was blindsided by it all and was most upset that nobody in the Pistons organization approached him with an explanation.
He returned to action on Feb. 5, scoring 15 points in 20 minutes of action, but has missed every game since due to a groin injury.
Hamilton was once one of the faces of the franchise in Detroit. But apparently helping an organization win a championship just doesn't bring a player the respect it use to.
1. Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers
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Baron Davis and his relationship with the Clippers organization, and owner Donald Sterling in particular, takes the cake. By far.
This year Sterling has been heard yelling taunts at several Clippers players, including Davis, the team's highest paid player.
Sterling has been heard shouting things such as, "Why are you in the game?" "Why did you take that shot?" and "You're out of shape!"
The concept of an owner insulting his own players on the court is unheard of.
But I'm sure there is someone inside of the Staples Center is yelling at Sterling, "Why do you continue to run this franchise in to the ground?"
