The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the biggest franchises in global sports and enjoys a massive global following. This is clearly evident in the United States of America, where the league is based and where the teams that play in it are located.
There are also many other countries around the world that have a passion for the NBA, and the UK is a great example of this. Over the years, the increasing popularity of basketball in general across the country has led to NBA games becoming must-see events.
There is no doubt that the league has succeeded in maintaining its global fan base by providing some special moments and exciting matches. She's also seen her fair share of controversial moments that have got fans talking.
But what are the four most controversial moments in the competition's past?
1. Tim Donaghy betting scandal
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the best competitions for sports bettors and is the league covered by all the best sportsbooks. This has made betting on games an essential part of NBA history and is likely to remain a constant in the sport.
Although sports betting does not typically negatively impact the NBA, the Tim Donaghy scandal has put the integrity of the league on the line. Donaghy was caught betting on matches he officiated, and the subsequent decisions he made in said matches have been called into question. Although an official NBA investigation concluded that Donaghy had not fixed any of the games he bet on, this was still a highly controversial moment in the annals of the NBA.
2. Hatred in the palace
Most NBA fans around the world still remember the Palace malice incident, which occurred in a 2004 game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons at Auburn Palace. Michigan. When we consider the fierce rivalry between these parties, it is perhaps not surprising to see them go down so badly.
It all started when Pacers' Ron Artest committed a foul on Detroit's Ben Wallace at the end of the game. Although the fallout initially brought each player to confrontation, it soon saw both sides fully engaged to settle the argument. Artest wisely decided to stay out of the drama by lying down on the announcers' table – and this is where it got really crazy.
One Pistons fan thought throwing a drink at Artest while he was lying on the floor was a good idea. Artest did not take kindly to this and rushed into the crowd to start fighting any Pistons fan he could find. This led to his teammates coming to the stands to help him and more violence spilling onto the field, involving other players and fans.
3. Sterling scandal
This is definitely a really controversial moment that topped all the NBA news, stories, and events at the time. It happened in 2014, when Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was exposed for making shameful racist remarks. As expected, the video of Sterling's outburst shocked the league and disgusted NBA fans, coaches and players.
As a result of these statements, Sterling was suspended for life from the NBA and he eventually sold the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. This incident also highlighted the ongoing fight against racism in sports such as basketball, and shocked fans who believed that the sport had made greater strides in this area.
4. LeBron leaves Cleveland
We all know that LeBron James is an extremely talented basketball star who will always be remembered as one of the true greats. However, it's fair to say that fans of his old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, may have a different opinion on the matter.
This all stems from LeBron's decision to leave the Cavaliers in 2010 as a free agent. Even then, he was the neighborhood favorite and a player that every Cleveland fan loved. His decision to leave to take on new challenges in Miami proved very controversial throughout the city and was a real talking point for NBA fans in general at the time.
This led to James having to hire a security team to follow him when he entered Ohio State. When fans reacted to his move by burning his jersey, destroying memorabilia and throwing objects at a giant statue of him in Cleveland, perhaps it was a reasonable move.
The NBA and controversy are no strangers
As the above shows, the NBA and controversy sometimes go hand in hand.
This is not a surprise from a sporting standpoint, as all sports have their own share of shocking moments to reflect on. However, the moments mentioned here show that when controversy occurs in this league, it does so in a way that is difficult to forget.
