When we talk about the National Basketball Association (NBA), we often highlight the points, rebounds, and assists. Yet, the number of times a player gets ejected from a game reveals a lot about their on-court intensity and sometimes, their temperament.
Let’s get straight into it. One of the first names that comes to mind is Rasheed Wallace. Wallace holds the record for the most technical fouls in a single season, with an astounding 41 technicals in the 2000-2001 season. This statistic alone gives you a sense of his confrontational style of play. Wallace, often seen arguing with referees and showing his displeasure with their calls, has been ejected 29 times in his career. To understand the gravity of this, think about it: 29 games lost to ejections means his team missed his considerable skills and contributions for almost an entire season spread over his career.
Right behind Wallace is DeMarcus Cousins, known for his aggressive playing style and emotional highs and lows during games. Cousins has been ejected from games 13 times. Notably, his ejections often come at crucial points in games where his skills are most needed by his team, impacting the Sacramento Kings and later teams he played for.
Coming up next, we have Dennis Rodman, an NBA Hall of Famer, known for his incredible rebounding ability, with five NBA championships under his belt. Rodman’s ejections tally up to 11. His career was also marked by many controversial moments, including kicking a cameraman in 1997, which earned him an 11-game suspension. Rodman's on-court antics often overshadowed his defensive prowess and tenacity.
Technical fouls and ejections offer a more intense view of the game. Allen Iverson, another highly talented yet often emotional player, has seen his fair share of ejections—10 to be exact. Iverson’s passion for the game often got the better of him, leading to heated exchanges with officials. His intensity on the court was undeniable, but it sometimes crossed the line.
Kenyon Martin also makes the list with 10 ejections. Known for his imposing physical presence and aggressive playing style, Martin often clashed with opponents and officials. His time with the New Jersey Nets and later the Denver Nuggets were marked by moments of brilliant play but also moments of intense controversy.
The infamous Charles Barkley racked up 9 ejections throughout his career. Known as the "Round Mound of Rebound," Barkley was not just a scoring and rebounding machine but also a player who passionately argued with referees. His outbursts and confrontations often led to his ejections, costing his team those valuable minutes of play.
Another name to note in recent history is Draymond Green. Green, the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors' defense, has been ejected 8 times so far. His ejections, particularly in playoff games, have been subjects of significant discussion. Green’s ejection in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals is often cited as a turning point in the series, with many arguing it cost the Warriors the championship.
In the era of the modern NBA, technical fouls have seen more scrutiny, and players are more aware of their consequences. However, these historical figures remind us that ejections are a part of the game’s fabric. They reflect the intense emotions and high stakes involved. If you want to dive deeper into these stats, Arena Plus offers an extensive leaderboard that tracks these figures and many more interesting metrics. You can check them out here.