In the NBA, it’s not just about who you love—it’s also about who you love to hate. Over the last 10 years, certain teams have managed to rub fans the wrong way, whether it’s through their on-court antics, controversial players, or simply because they keep winning. From superteams that dominate the league to scrappy underdogs who refuse to back down, these franchises have become the villains of the basketball world. Whether you boo them every chance you get or secretly admire their swagger, here are the ten most hated NBA teams of the last 10 years. Let’s break down the moments, the players, and the rivalries that have fueled the fire of fandoms everywhere.
1. 2017 Golden State Warriors
When the Golden State Warriors signed Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016, they went from being a beloved team of sharpshooters to the most hated team in the league almost overnight. Coming off a 73-9 season that ended in a devastating Finals loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors were already a powerhouse. Adding Durant, one of the league’s top talents, felt like overkill to many fans. It was the equivalent of hitting cheat mode in a video game.
The 2016-17 season saw the Warriors dominate the league, finishing with a 67-15 record. Their offensive prowess was off the charts, with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Durant forming an unstoppable trio. Critics claimed they had ruined the competitive balance of the NBA, making the season feel like a foregone conclusion.
In the playoffs, the Warriors breezed through the competition, sweeping their first three opponents before dispatching the Cavaliers in five games in the Finals. Their dominance was undeniable, but it was also what made them so despised. Fans of other teams saw them as an unbeatable juggernaut that had destroyed any hope of parity in the league.
Off the court, the Warriors were equally polarizing. Draymond Green’s brashness and frequent trash-talking made him a lightning rod for criticism. Durant’s decision to join a team that had just beaten his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the playoffs was seen by many as a betrayal. The “superteam” narrative surrounding the Warriors turned them into the villains of the NBA, and their 2017 championship run only solidified that status.
Love them or hate them, the 2017 Golden State Warriors were a team that left no one indifferent, embodying both the pinnacle of basketball excellence and the frustrations of fans longing for a more level playing field.
2. 2021 Phoenix Suns
The 2021 Phoenix Suns were a team that quickly found themselves under the microscope of NBA fans and critics alike. Rising from a decade-long playoff drought, they became one of the league’s most hated teams, thanks to a mix of on-court success, perceived arrogance, and some controversial moments.
After acquiring Chris Paul in the offseason, the Suns transformed into a legitimate contender, finishing the regular season with a 51-21 record, second-best in the Western Conference. Paul’s veteran leadership, combined with Devin Booker’s scoring prowess, turned the Suns into a well-oiled machine. However, their rapid ascent to the top rubbed many fans the wrong way.
The Suns’ path to the NBA Finals was not without controversy. In the first round, they faced the Los Angeles Lakers, who were hampered by injuries to key players LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Critics argued that the Suns’ victory was more about the Lakers’ bad luck than Phoenix’s skill. The narrative continued in the second round against the Denver Nuggets, who were missing their star guard Jamal Murray. By the time they reached the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard, many fans felt the Suns had taken advantage of a weakened field.
Adding to the animosity was the behavior of some Suns players. Chris Paul, known for his fiery competitiveness, often walked a fine line between passion and pettiness, which didn’t endear him to opposing fans. Devin Booker, while undeniably talented, was perceived as cocky and overly confident by some, especially after his dust-up with Lakers’ fans and his “be legendary” mantra.
The Suns’ Finals run, where they ultimately fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, was marked by dramatic highs and lows. The excitement of their unexpected success was often overshadowed by the backlash from fans who viewed their journey as less than legitimate due to the injuries plaguing their opponents.
In the end, the 2021 Phoenix Suns became a lightning rod for debate. They were either a Cinderella story of a team that overcame adversity to reach the Finals or the beneficiaries of an unprecedented string of good fortune. Either way, they secured their spot as one of the most hated teams on our list, sparking discussions and emotions across the NBA landscape.
3. 2021 Brooklyn Nets
The 2021 Brooklyn Nets might be the very definition of a “superteam” that fans love to hate. When the franchise managed to assemble a trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, they became the epitome of modern NBA star power—and the target of widespread animosity.
The Nets’ journey to infamy began with the acquisitions of Durant and Irving in 2019. Adding James Harden in a blockbuster trade midway through the 2020-21 season turned the Nets into an offensive juggernaut, with three of the league’s most prolific scorers on one team. While Brooklyn fans rejoiced, the rest of the NBA fanbase watched with a mix of awe and disdain. The perception was that the Nets had taken the easy route to success, relying on a collection of superstar talent rather than building a team organically.
Throughout the season, the Nets displayed moments of brilliance, finishing with a 48-24 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference. Their high-powered offense was nearly unstoppable, but their defensive struggles and frequent absences of their star trio due to injuries and personal reasons fueled the narrative that they were a fragile superteam. Fans and analysts alike questioned their ability to play together consistently when it mattered most.
The playoffs only intensified the scrutiny. In the first round, the Nets easily dispatched the Boston Celtics, but their second-round matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks turned into a battle. Despite missing Irving due to injury and having a hobbled Harden, the Nets pushed the series to seven games, with Durant delivering some historic performances. However, their eventual elimination sparked a wave of schadenfreude from fans who were eager to see the “superteam” fail.
Off the court, the personalities of the Nets’ stars didn’t help their case. Kyrie Irving’s frequent controversial statements and unpredictable behavior, combined with Harden’s forced exit from Houston, painted a picture of a team led by mercurial and polarizing figures. Even Durant, despite his undeniable talent, carried the baggage of previous criticisms for joining the 73-win Golden State Warriors.
Ultimately, the 2021 Brooklyn Nets were a team that embodied the era of player empowerment and superteams, a reality that didn’t sit well with many traditional basketball fans. Their mix of superstar talent, off-court drama, and playoff shortcomings made them one of the most hated teams in recent memory, proving that sometimes, too much talent can be as polarizing as it is electrifying.
4. 2018 Boston Celtics
The 2018 Boston Celtics found themselves in an unusual position—they were both loved and loathed, often in equal measure. This young, scrappy team, led by head coach Brad Stevens, overachieved in the regular season and became a force in the playoffs, sparking both admiration and resentment from fans across the league.
The Celtics’ journey to infamy began with a dramatic offseason. They traded fan-favorite Isaiah Thomas for superstar guard Kyrie Irving, a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA. The addition of Gordon Hayward further bolstered their roster, making them instant contenders in the Eastern Conference. However, Hayward’s devastating injury on opening night against the Cleveland Cavaliers cast a shadow over their season.
Despite this setback, the Celtics finished the regular season with a 55-27 record, thanks to the emergence of young stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as well as the steady leadership of Al Horford. Brad Stevens’ coaching acumen was widely praised, but it also became a source of irritation for fans of rival teams, who felt the media lavished too much praise on the Celtics.
The playoffs were where the Celtics truly became a polarizing force. They navigated their way to the Eastern Conference Finals without their two biggest stars, Irving and Hayward. Along the way, they dispatched the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games and the Philadelphia 76ers in five, with Tatum and Brown showcasing their potential as future superstars.
Their matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals was a defining moment. The young Celtics pushed the series to seven games, with Tatum’s poster dunk on LeBron becoming an iconic moment. However, their ultimate loss to the Cavaliers left a bitter taste for many fans who felt the Celtics had been prematurely anointed as the next great team.
Off the court, the Celtics’ combination of brash confidence and underdog status rubbed some fans the wrong way. The media’s constant praise of Brad Stevens’ coaching and the young core’s potential felt excessive to those who saw the Celtics as being overhyped. Additionally, Kyrie Irving’s enigmatic personality and his absence during the playoff run created an air of drama and uncertainty around the team.
The 2018 Boston Celtics were a study in contrasts—a team that defied expectations, developed a young core, and came tantalizingly close to the NBA Finals, yet also one that garnered a fair share of animosity along the way. Their mix of potential, media hype, and playoff heartbreak made them one of the most compelling and polarizing teams of the last 10 years.
5. 2016 Houston Rockets
The 2016 Houston Rockets were a team that managed to draw the ire of fans and analysts alike. A mix of underachievement, on-court antics, and locker room drama made this team one of the most disliked in recent NBA history.
Coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2015, expectations were high for the Rockets heading into the 2015-16 season. With James Harden at the helm, fresh off an MVP runner-up finish, and Dwight Howard anchoring the defense, the Rockets were expected to be contenders. However, the season quickly turned sour.
The Rockets struggled to find consistency, finishing with a disappointing 41-41 record and barely making the playoffs as the eighth seed. Their underperformance was a significant factor in the growing dislike for the team. Fans and analysts criticized their lack of effort and cohesion, particularly pointing fingers at Harden and Howard. Harden’s defensive lapses became fodder for viral memes, while Howard’s inability to stay healthy and his perceived lack of effort frustrated fans.
Off the court, the Rockets were a hotbed of drama. Reports of tension between Harden and Howard surfaced, with both stars seemingly unable to coexist. The team’s lack of chemistry was evident, and head coach Kevin McHale was fired just 11 games into the season, replaced by interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The mid-season coaching change only added to the sense of turmoil surrounding the Rockets.
In the playoffs, the Rockets’ woes continued. They faced the top-seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round, a matchup that highlighted the stark contrast between the disciplined, cohesive Warriors and the disjointed Rockets. Houston managed to steal one game but ultimately fell in five, exiting the playoffs with a whimper.
Adding to the animosity was the perception of the Rockets’ style of play. Harden’s isolation-heavy offense and frequent trips to the free-throw line were criticized as boring and unwatchable by some fans. His tendency to draw fouls, often through controversial means, led to accusations of flopping and gaming the system.
The 2016 Houston Rockets epitomized a team that fell far short of its potential, plagued by internal discord and an unappealing style of play. Their mix of high expectations, underachievement, and off-court drama made them a lightning rod for criticism and one of the most hated teams in the NBA during that season.