10 Biggest Jackasses in the NBA

The NBA is not exactly latent with lockout progress, but is filled with more than its fair share of jackasses.

Too many players make ill advised comments, boast despicable attitudes and are just plain stupid in what they say and do both on and off the court. Such behavior does not discriminate, as both heralded and lesser praised players are guilty of it.

Whether it's the result of anger, misguided morals, tactical blueprints or a complete nervous breakdown, idiocy prevails far too often in a league that consists of some of the greatest athletes in the world.

And here are 10 players who aren't exactly helping the case. 

Honorable Mention: Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin is certainly a jackass, but he's China's problem now.

Whether he's complaining about how the Denver Nuggets gave Al Harrington "his" money or going on a supposed Twitter rant, Martin is a wealthy of idiocy.

Martin has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, but his production has never quite been able to back up his loose cannon of an attitude. 

After spending countless seasons trying to stave off reoccurring injuries while making $90 million, Martin had the tenacity to believe that the Nuggets owed him anything. All he ever did for Denver was cash their paychecks and instigate confrontations on the rare occasions he step foot on the court.

What seemed to be a promising career turned out to be a nauseating roller coaster ride.

Martin can deny that he was the one to go on the highly offensive twitter rant, but whether or not he did is irrelevant. He remains a bonafide jackass regardless.

No. 10: Delonte West

Delonte West's NBA career has been shrouded in controversy to say the least.

In 2009, West was arrested when he was pulled over for speeding on a motorcycle while carrying three loaded firearms. He has since offered an in detail explanation of that night, pretty much portraying that it wasn't what it looked like.

Aside from the arrest, West has proved to be a damaging presence on his teams. He has been accused of having an affair with then teammate LeBron James' mother, and he also instigated a fight with Boston Celtics teammate Von Wafer.

When West headed to Boston, many had hopes of him turning his career around. However, he has proved a magnet for trouble, and his inability to not cause controversy makes him an idiot. 

No. 9: LeBron James of the Miami Heat

A large part of LeBron James' displays of stupidity are due to ignorance and spending an excessive time under a social microscope. The aforementioned notions, combined with his abundance of charity work, are the reasons why he is not higher on the list.

But that doesn't mean he isn't a jackass.

James' "The Decision" raised some serious cash for charity, but the premise of the entire broadcast was the epitome of boneheadedness. Chalk it all up to youthful exuberance, right?

Wrong. James is no friend to the media, and while some may believe otherwise, he doesn't exactly handle the pressures of his job well.

Over the course of last season, James lashed out at the media countless times and even took a shot at opposing fans after falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

His incessant whining is reproachable, and his tendency to falter in the postseason is easy to criticize, but his complete lack of common sense is embarrassing.

James' skill set makes him worthy of being one of the premiere faces for the NBA, but his demeanor is a different story. 

No. 8: Gilbert Arenas of Orlando Magic

Gilbert Arenas is often chastised for not living up to his lucrative contract, but he is also known for his countless acts of idiocy.

Arenas and former NBA Player Javaris Crittenton pulled guns on each other in the Washington Wizards team locker room last season. Calling this a jackass move is being conservative.

His whole career, Arenas has always had an "I don't care" attitude about him, but he got away with it because of his prolific scoring abilities. Those have vanished, and while he is inclined to blame everyone and everything under the sun but himself, we know the truth.

Arenas' work ethic is also questionable. He came out of this year's all-star break saying that he worked hard on his game and was ready to regain his former flair. Well, to put it candidly, the fans of Orlando are still waiting for him to regain said flair.

Yes, not everything falls into place on command, but Arenas is a poster child for stupid decisions and unwarranted behavior, and the fact that it he is more detrimental to his own team than the opposition doesn't help his case.

Someone on a downward tailspins only saving grace can bee a sense humbleness and humility. In the case of Arenas, there is no saving grace.

No. 7: Stephen Jackson of the Milwaukee Bucks

Over the course of his volatile 11-year career, Stephen Jackson has never been one to keep his mouth shut, or his gun holstered for that matter.

Jackson is notorious for his role in the brawl at the Palace and his 2006 strip club excursion in which he discharged his firearm, an incident that took place while he was on probation for his role in the aforementioned 2004 brawl between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons.

Jackson's reputation certainly proceeds him, as he was thought to have been arrested for public intoxication with Kendrick Perkins this past summer, when he actually wasn't.

It is Jackson's self-destructive nature that makes him a jackass. He has never seemed to fully learn a valuable lesson after any of his antics and has maintained that violent edge that sparked his claim to infamy in the first place.

If that's not enough, then linger on the first argument. Any player who strikes a fan is a jackass; professional athletes are expected and need to be above that.

But Jackson has already proved he isn't.

No. 6: Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics

Kevin Garnett is one of the most prolific big men to ever play the game, a class of athlete that he does not always represent so well.

He is one of the most hated players to step foot on the court, but what truly makes him a jackass is his willingness to embrace such a role.

Garnett is notorious for blocking shots that come after whistles and getting in players' faces whenever he sees fit. He is also one of the most hardcore trash talkers in all of sports.

But at what point does it become too much?

Last year, Garnett was accused of telling Charlie Villanueva he looked like a cancer patient, a heinous insinuation to say the least. Garnett went on to say that he actually said Villanueva was cancerous to his team, but the damage was certainly done.

However, regardless of what he actually said, it doesn't rewrite a career long exhibition of obnoxiousness.

Garnett is fiercely loyal, but his tactics are often just as fiercely childish and irrevocable. His display of talent is appreciated, but his reprehensible attitude is something the league could do with out.

No. 5: DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings

DeMarcus Cousins had quite the rookie season, showcasing his talents and jackass tendencies to the fullest extent.

Cousins was known to be a hothead entering last summer's draft, and he lived up to such a classification. He was fined multiple times by the Sacramento Kings, had an array of run-ins with opposing players and even voiced his displeasure toward teammates.

In fact, a heated argument with teammate Donté led to him being kicked off the team plane and suspended for three games.

Cousins is only 21, and while most his age still have a lot to learn, he is in even further need of some maturing. He obviously has the time, but after repeatedly being reprimanded by his own team, optimism is not a feeling that prevails in regards to his future.

People would kill to be in Cousins' situation at his age, and the fact that he is not only not humble toward the opportunity, but actually condescending to those around him, makes him an idiot in that sense.  

No. 4: Michael Beasley of Minnesota Timberwolves

Michael Beasley is only 22, but he has already secured his spot amongst the league's biggest jackasses.

Just after being drafted, Beasley was fined $50,000 for smoking marijuana and then fleeing the scene when the police showed up. The following year, Beasely posted pictures of himself on his Twitter account, with bags of the drug behind him.

Beasley's latest run-in with the law involved him being pulled over after driving 84 mph in a 65 mph zone. Many drivers are guilty of speeding at one point or another, but that being said, most don't have 16.2 grams of marijuana on their person while doing so.

Beasley's inability to learn his lesson after numerous convictions and time in rehab make him a jackass. Not only is it killing any chance he has at obtaining a favorable public persona, but his inconsistencies on the court make it clear his habit is killing his potential.

The window for Beasley to redeem himself will not be open that much longer. If he wants to make a change, he has to do it now, not later.

That is, unless he is comfortable going down in history as a serial jackass, incapable of change.

No. 3: Andray Blatche of Washington Wizards

Andray Blatche had a solid season for the Washington Wizards, but he is better cut out for being a jackass, and not a future all-star.

The 25-year-old is highly volatile and is no stranger to physical altercations, even with his own teammates. He reportedly fought with teammate JaVale McGee last December at a night club.

Blatche is best known for his failed attempt at a Ricky Davis. He was one rebound away from a triple-double and did everything he could to get it, including running down the court and trying to get a shot off, miss it and grab the offensive rebound. He also yelled at his teammate for grabbing a rebound instead of letting him get it.

Statistics are important, but a true team player lets their individual performance take a backseat for the greater good of the team. Blatche is not a true team player. 

Even if Blatche was to act with the utmost of professionalism for the rest of his career, he has no chance of shedding this label of being jackass. 

Once you become that cancerous to your team, there is virtually no turning back.

No. 2: DeShawn Stevenson

DeShawn Stevenson had quite a busy year, playing a less than pivotal role in the Dallas Mavericks championship run, maintaining a heated feud with LeBron James and getting arrested over the summer for public intoxication.

Stevenson is a free agent, and while it is likely that some team inks the 30-year-old, it is unlikely he ever ceases being a PR nightmare and consistent jackass.

In 2008, Stevenson was fined $25,000 for making a throat slash sign on the court and has come up with idiotic explanations for some of the tattoos he sported heading into 2009.

Additionally, during his championship celebration, Stevenson sported a shirt that said "Hey LeBron! How's my Dirk taste?" He has also stirred up trouble with James' good friend Jay-Z.

Stevenson's career has been shrouded in absurd controversy, but void of talent. He has toed the line between troubled and insane, and is a true testament to a jackass without a cause. 

No. 1: Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) of the Los Angeles Lakers

Metta World Peace, who we will refer to as Ron Artest for the remainder of the slide, is the jackass of all jackasses.

Early on in his career, it seems he prided himself on violence, clearly evident by his prominent role in the Brawl at the Palace in 2004. Artest's other offenses include being arrested for domestic violence in 2007 and being fined on multiple occasions, among other things.

Artest has always danced to the beat of his own drum. He is notorious for showing up late to practices, instigating scuffles and being a thorn in the side of coaches, teammates and opposing players alike.

Currently, it seems that Artest has attempted to go under a serious image overhaul, changing his name and becoming an advocate for peace. It's hard to accept him as a spokesperson for the very principle he seemed to reject merely years ago, though.

Artest's tweets and interviews are often filled with nonsense nowadays, and now that his incredible defensive abilities seem to be disappearing, the cons of employing Artest severely outweigh the pros.

Moving forward, it will be interesting to see if the public prefers the volatile jackass Artest one was or the peace-endorsing, nonsense-raving athlete he is currently potraying.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.