NBA players have been known to lose their cool from time to time, and this has led to fans witnessing some unforgettable ejections.
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Yet, there are also some other instances, where refs may have overreacted.
5.) San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan Ejected for laughing on the bench (2007)
In what will forever go down as one of the most controversial ejections of all-time, during a regular-season game between the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks (April 15, 2007), Tim Duncan was thrown out for questionable reasons. In view of the situation, referee Joey Crawford had given Duncan a technical foul while on the court for arguing a call. Then, Crawford proceeded to give the Hall of Fame big man a second technical foul for reportedly laughing on the bench. This led to disciplinary action for the well-known veteran referee, as Duncan claimed that Crawford had actually challenged him to a fight during the game. While Duncan was fined $25,000 for verbal abuse of an official, the NBA suspended Crawford for "improper conduct" and "inappropriate comments made to Duncan during the game." And during the 2007 Finals, in which San Antonio won, Crawford was not allowed to officiate, ending his 21-consecutive NBA Finals streak.
4.) Portland Trail Blazers' Rasheed Wallace Ejected for Staring at a Referee (2000)
This wouldn't be a complete list without the all-time ejections leader Rasheed Wallace, who has been thrown out of a record-breaking 29 NBA games. During Game 1 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals vs. the Los Angeles Lakers (May 21, 2000), after receiving a technical foul earlier in the game, Wallace was ejected in the third quarter for reportedly staring at referee Ron Garretson. That is, he actually never said a word, but Garretson viewed this as Wallace using intimidation tactics in retaliation to certain calls. To note, this didn't deter Wallace from acting out, because in the very next 2000-2001 season, he went on to break the single-season NBA record with 41 technical fouls. All in all, it's safe to say Wallace didn't have the best relationship with refs throughout his career.
3.) Chicago Bulls' Dennis Rodman Ejected for kicking a cameraman (1997)
Dennis Rodman was known for his off-kilter personality, however he may have blatantly crossed a line during a regular-season game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves (January 15, 1997). In view of the controversial events that led to the ejection, after tripping over a cameraman, Rodman angrily kicked the guy. Ultimately, Dennis the Menace was suspended for 11 games and fined $25,000. Rodman is tied for 9th all-time with 12 career NBA ejections.
2.) Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green Ejected for hitting LeBron James in the NBA Finals (2016)
During Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (June 10, 2016), Draymond Green was handed a flagrant foul for his role in an altercation with LeBron James. As one can see in the footage, Green seemed to have taken a deliberate shot at LeBron's groin area. And after reaching the flagrant foul limit, this led to an automatic suspension for Game 5, which turned out to be the catalyst moment for Cleveland's historic 3-1 comeback to win the championship. Green currently is ranked No. 2 all-time (behind Rasheed Wallace- 29) with 23 career ejections.
1.) Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest Ejected "Malice at the Palace" (2004)
There is no debate when it comes to the wildest ejection in NBA history, as the "Malice at the Palace" involved an incident between the Detroit Pistons fans and rival Indiana Pacers players, including Ron Artest and notable teammates Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal. In view of how it started, towards the end of the game (November 19, 2004), a hard foul led to a back-and-forth between players. All of the sudden in the midst of the scuffle, things quickly escalated after a fan threw a beer at Ron Artest, which led to him seeking vengeance, as he charged into the stands and proceeded to punch a fan (which turned out to be the wrong guy). An all-out brawl ensued between the players and fans, and the disciplinary consequences highlighted the severity of the incident. There were multiple ejections and suspensions (146 games for nine players), with Artest receiving the longest suspension for an on-the-court incident in NBA history (86-games).
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