These teams were unanimously disliked!
In the last decade, certain NBA teams have become the ones fans love to hate. Whether it's due to controversial players, on-court antics, or relentless winning, these teams have earned their villain status. From dominant superteams to scrappy underdogs, their rivalries and moments have sparked intense emotions. Here are the five most hated NBA teams of the last 10 years.
When the Golden State Warriors signed Kevin Durant in 2016, they transformed from fan favourites into the league's most hated team. Fresh off a 73-9 season and a crushing Finals loss, the Warriors were already dominant. Adding Durant felt like overkill, akin to using cheat codes in a video game. The 2016-17 Warriors cruised through the season and playoffs, finishing with a 67-15 record and an easy championship win. Their unstoppable trio of Durant, Curry, and Thompson was met with backlash for destroying the NBA's competitive balance. Draymond Green's brashness only added to their villainous image.
The 2021 Phoenix Suns quickly became one of the NBA's most hated teams after rising from a decade-long playoff drought. Led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker, they transformed into contenders, finishing 51-21. However, their path to the Finals was marred by controversy, as opponents like the Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers faced major injuries. Critics argued their success was more luck than skill. Chris Paul's fiery demeanour and Booker's perceived arrogance fuelled the animosity. Despite losing to the Bucks in the Finals, the Suns sparked debates about legitimacy, earning them a polarising spot in NBA history.
The 2021 Brooklyn Nets became the epitome of a "superteam" that fans love to hate. With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, they formed an offensive powerhouse but faced criticism for taking the easy route to success. Their 48-24 season was marked by brilliance, injuries, and defensive struggles. Despite Durant's heroic performances, they were eliminated in a thrilling seven-game series against the Bucks, sparking widespread schadenfreude. Off-court drama, including Irving's controversies and Harden's exit from Houston, added to their polarising image, making the Nets a team that embodied both modern star power and fan disdain.
The 2018 Boston Celtics were a polarising team, both admired and resented. After trading Isaiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving and adding Gordon Hayward, they became instant contenders. Despite Hayward’s early injury, they finished 55-27, led by rising stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Brad Stevens' coaching received heavy praise, though it irritated rival fans. In the playoffs, the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals without Irving and Hayward, pushing LeBron James' Cavaliers to seven games. Their brash confidence, media hype, and near-Finals appearance made them both overachievers and a source of frustration for many NBA fans.
The 2016 Houston Rockets became one of the NBA’s most disliked teams due to underachievement, drama, and their divisive playstyle. Coming off a strong 2015 season, expectations were high, but the Rockets stumbled to a 41-41 record, barely making the playoffs. Tensions between James Harden and Dwight Howard, Harden’s defensive lapses, and coach Kevin McHale's mid-season firing only fuelled the negativity. Their isolation-heavy offence, with Harden drawing frequent fouls, was criticised as boring and reliant on flopping. A first-round playoff exit to the Warriors sealed their fate as a team that failed to live up to its potential.
2022 Memphis Grizzlies, 2022 Los Angeles Lakers, 2021 Philadelphia 76ers, 2020 Los Angeles Clippers, and 2018 Oklahoma City Thunder also closely follow in the most hated list.
