The piece centers on the idea that every NBA team has a most-hated villain of the century, presenting villains as real, emotionally charged adversaries rather than fictional antagonists.

For the Golden State Warriors, Chris Paul is portrayed as a catalyst for rivalries and perceived meddling, casting him as a villain in the eyes of some fans.

For the Atlanta Hawks, LeBron James’s dominance and repeated playoff dismissals are cited as fueling his lasting villain status among Hawks fans.

The Indiana Pacers’ fan lore centers on Ron Artest and the Malice at the Palace as a defining villain moment in franchise history.

The Boston Celtics view Kyrie Irving as a longtime antagonist due to contentious moves and multiple team changes.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ era under Donald Sterling is recalled as a central villain period marked by scandals and ownership failures.

The piece opens by framing the survey across teams, highlighting that villains are real, emotionally resonant figures rather than mere antagonists.

For the Denver Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony’s departure and the fan backlash are highlighted as a defining grudge.

The Chicago Bulls anchor point is Derrick Rose’s ACL injuries, depicted as a pivotal, franchise-altering villain moment for fans.

The Houston Rockets are linked with the “math” era under Daryl Morey, portrayed as a source of fan frustration through missteps.

The Los Angeles Lakers recall Paul Pierce’s controversial injury return and ensuing rivalry lore as a villainous thorn for Lakers fans.

Brooklyn Nets are tied to Mikhail Prokhorov’s ownership era and trades that sparked fan anger.

Dallas Mavericks associate Nico Harrison with decisions that moved Luka Dončić’s situation, fueling perceived villainy among Dallas supporters.