He talks trash to players, officials, fans, it doesn't matter. He's often credited with popularizing the ever-present phrase on courts across America "ball don't lie". But he's said he has a code- he won't talk trash about people's family. He's got a championship ring he won with the legendary Pistons team in 2004, which obviously elevates his trash talking game even higher. He's absolutely loved by fans for his trash talk. Much of that is for his defense, but most of it is for his energetic persona and fiery personality. Rasheed Wallace is something of a famous figure among hardcore basketball fans. So without further hoopla, here are 10 of the best trash talkers ever to grace our favorite association: We all remember events like Carmelo Anthony walking out to the Celtics team bus after a game to confront Kevin Garnett over things said on court during the game. It's certainly happened plenty in the NBA, at the highest level of competition. And to be fair, if you're not numb to it, trash talking can definitely get under a player's skin. Some people do it for a competitive advantage, claiming they can 'get in the opponent's head' and mess up their game. Some people talk trash just because they're ultra competitive. There's hardly anything more embarrassing on the basketball court than talking trash and getting schooled. In fact, just about the only way to be a good trash talker is to be able to light it up on the court. Usually, good trash talkers are good players.
(Well, arid deserts, anyway.) From local pick-up games around the world to the televised NBA games, trash talking is such a part of the game, it loses most of its combativeness and shock value.Īnd then there are some historically funny, offensive, or just plain gutsy trash talkers that have graced the NBA. Trash talking in basketball comes as naturally as sand in a desert.