Top 5 NBA players who have openly criticized their teammates

#3 Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant after hist last game

Rest in peace Kobe Bryant. Bryant was known throughout the league as one of the toughest competitors in the league. If you were on his team and didn’t match that energy, it did not go well.

Bryant had issues with Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard, both players who enjoyed having fun, while Bryant was strictly business. Early in Bryant’s career, he had problems with O’Neal that ended with them fighting once. With Howard, he just bashed him every time he could.

Despite those two situations, the best time for Bryant to be openly annoyed by a teammate was when he was live on Jimmy Kimmel. The host shared a video of Bryant’s young teammates celebrating a victory. The issue is that this broke a long losing streak and wasn’t worth celebrating.

Bryant does not say anything, but his face does all the talking for him. It was close to the end of his career, and he was sitting out due to injury, which might have made it worse for him.

#2 Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid hyping up the crowd

Joel Embiid might be one of the best trash talkers in the NBA. He uses his social media posts to bash appointments he has constantly beefed with or just recently dominated. This ties together with him being super competitive and wanting to win so badly. Embiid’s actions help make fun storylines of the NBA, but they also show that he can be raw with the media.

Now that the Ben Simmons saga is in full swing, it makes sense that Embiid would not like Simmons's actions. After Simmons was suspended for not trying in practice, Embiid was not happy.

After the news broke, Embiid was asked about Simmons, and well, Embiid said everything he was thinking. Embiid came out strong, saying, “he does not care about that man,” referring to Simmons. Embiid’s frustrations are rational, and the Philadelphia 76ers want to try to win a Championship, and it would help to have your second All-Star on your team.

#1 Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler on the Minnesota Timberwolves

When Jimmy Butler was on the Minnesota Timberwolves, he probably had the best practice ever. After missing some of the team’s offseason workouts, due to the fact Butler wanted out, he came back and put on a display in practice.

This practice has almost become an NBA legend. It is reported that Butler came out on the court, took the third-string players, and dominated the starters in a scrimmage. While humiliating his teammates, he yelled at head coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden.

Butler yelled at everyone, telling the franchise that they needed him to win. Butler eventually got his wish and was traded to the 76ers, but Butler's practice in Minnesota still lives on as one of the most incredible NBA practices.