The NBA's 15 Scariest Players Of All Time

Debut: 1993
Number Of Years: 17
Nickname: "DC"

After learning physical play from the New York Knicks, Christie quickly found a place to cause some distraction of his own in Sacramento. Even before being known for in-your-face defense, Christie wouldn’t take a back seat to anybody.

Debut: 1980
Number Of Years: 13
Nickname: “Mr. Mean”

It’s impossible to find any real clips of Larry Smith showing any gruesome activities, but his nickname wasn’t just because of a random drawing. Smith rarely spoke a word on the court, but he made sure that his physicality was felt by everyone watching the game.

Debut: 2000
Number Of Years: 15
Nickname: “K-Mart”

Kenyon Martin hustles better than most, but if you ever out maneuver him, chances are you will receive an elbow to the face. If that wasn’t enough reason to keep your distance, his appearance and demeanor were extremely similar to that of a caged animal.

Debut: 1995
Number Of Years: 18
Nickname: “Sheed”

Rasheed Wallace is the king of the technical foul, and given this list, that’s saying a lot. He might not have the physically pounding history these other guys do, but his temper was highly unpredictable.

Debut: 1995
Number Of Years: 20
Nickname: “The Big Ticket”

KG has Hall-Of-Fame talents for sure, but it’s his unforgiving gritty attitude that makes him one guy you don’t want to mess with. It’s a true blessing when you have him in your corner, but when the tables are turned you best walk away.

Debut: 2003
Number Of Years: 12
Nickname: “Swamp Thang”

Kendrick Perkins is the epitome of a big-man enforcer. He always seems to have bad intentions.

Debut: 2004
Number Of Years: 11
Nickname: “Swish”

JR Smith might be able to shoot well, but he is incredibly unpredictable. During his younger years, he was even more of a loose cannon.

Debut: 1976
Number Of Years: 16
Nickname: “Mo”

Maurice Lucas was the one who punched Darryl Dawkins from behind, and anybody who does that deserves to be walked around with extreme caution. Dawkins was no small man.

Debut: 1985
Number Of Years: 19
Nickname: “Oak Tree”

Charles Oakley would be a great choice for a body-guard, but if he’s not on your side you're in trouble. Oak will always have your back, and he’ll break a lot of rules to do it.

Debut: 1973
Number Of Years: 11
Nickname: “Special K”

Kermit Washington was special alright, as he took physicality to a whole different level. Unlike many, he actually did taste blood.

Debut: 1984
Number Of Years: 18
Nickname: “The Round Mound Of Rebound”

Sir Charles was undersized for a big-man, but he made sure his raw aggression was bigger than anyone else on the court at any particular time. If you did something him, Barkley would return it tenfold.

Debut: 1980
Number Of Years: 18
Nickname: “McFilthy”

Rick “McFilthy” Mahorn might be forgotten in a lot of circles, but he was the baddest out of all the bad boys in Detroit. His nickname says it all, as he was always out for blood and destruction.

Debut: 1980
Number Of Years: 15
Nickname: “Lambs”

Whenever the bad boys of Detroit came to town, Laimbeer would make sure you couldn’t get any easy baskets. If you were brave enough to attempt it though, chances were there would be a face imprint on the hardwood with your name on it. He was not somebody to mess with.

Debut: 1986
Number Of Years: 14
Nickname: “Dennis The Menace”

Dennis Rodman, no matter what side he’s on, is one scary specimen. Even if his on-the-court antics weren’t enough, Rodman’s different personas off the court will be sure to make you uneasy. His troubled past is a movie script for the ages, and his fragile yet unpredictable demeanor will never be duplicated.

Debut: 1999
Number Of Years: 15
Nickname: “Tru Warier”

From the Malace at the Palace to the James Harden elbow, Artest's history can simply speak for itself. He is dangerous in every sense of word.