James Johnson and Udonis Haslem are two of the toughest players to have ever played in the NBA.
James Johnson and Udonis Haslem, two former Miami Heat players, were in unusual company.
They were listed among the greatest villains in NBA history, along with players like Rick Mahorn, John Salley, Zach Randolph, and Bill Laimbeer. If your name appears on this list, it indicates that you don’t mind fistfights.
They were all well-known for being tough guys. A dispute featuring Haslem and Johnson was included on the “Come On, Now” podcast. Listen to it and you’ll see why they deserve this recognition.
In case that wasn’t enough, take a look back at a few of the altercations between Johnson and Haslem throughout the years.
Serge Ibaka vs. James Johnson in 2018
-Ibaka chose the incorrect person to confront. Johnson is an accomplished black belt and mixed martial arts combatant in addition to never backing down from a battle.
-Haslem was offended when Hansbrough hard-fould All-Star Dwyane Wade. Thus, on a subsequent possession, Haslem exacted his retribution by foul-taking Hansbrough in the nose. Hansbrough was left with more cuts than a boxer. Later, Haslem acknowledged that the play was deliberate.
It’s safe to assume that two NBA players you don’t want to mess with are Haslem and Johnson. They toss hands without any trouble at all. Here’s a look back at a few notable incidents involving the Heat:
Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Sports Illustrated on Fan Nation’s Inside The Heat channel. Since 2010, he has covered the NBA.
