Xavier McDaniel
Known as the X-Man throughout his career in the league though I’d prefer to call him “The Beast,” – Xavier McDaniel began his journey in the NBA with the Seattle Super Sonics in 1985, however, he gained even more notoriety during his time with the New York Knicks.
McDaniel was a tough, trash talking, gritty player who welcomed physical confrontation among any player in the league. He went toe-to-toe with Charles Oakley in 1989, he also challenged Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the 1992 Eastern Conference Playoffs. Xavier McDaniel was known throughout the league as a tough guy, and if you weren’t a member of his team you were a target for destruction.
Allen Iverson
In my opinion Allen Iverson added another dimension to the point guard position with his no fear, no respect attitude. He spoke his mind and he rolled with an entourage as big as a small town in Arkansas.
His “killer crossover” on Micheal Jordan was the moment that set his path and catapulted his career in the NBA, from then on, ball players from all across the country were adapting and mimicking his ball handling skills. Iverson is one of the only players in the league that you could take seriously as both an NBA player and a rapper (remember Jewels 40-Bars?), –sick verse in my opinion. Iverson is the starting guard of the Goon Squad and I challenge you to find a list of point guards who are as battled tested as Allen Iverson.
Metta World Peace / Ron Artest
Metta is the modern day version of Dennis Rodman – similar toughness but less overall skill. Metta is the type of player you should avoid heckling because he will definitely send you out on a stretcher if the NBA allowed that sort of barbaric behavior.
Metta has been involved in team/fan brawls and he has dropped a number of NBA players to the hard wood floor with his version of “The Peoples Elbow.” While he’s not the greatest rapper in the world, Metta is one of the better defenders in the league when it comes to getting down and dirty in the paint.
Shaquille O’Neal
Arguably the most powerful and dominant center to ever play in the NBA. During his prime, Shaquille O’Neal offensively destroyed over 90 percent of the NBA centers in the league.
I can honestly say that I felt embarrassed for most of the players who were forced to guard O’Neal. Defending Shaquille O’Neal is like being forced to fight a bear – you’re definitely going to lose, and more than likely you’re going get eaten. O’Neal was an NBA wrecking ball; he brought the house down and left many NBA players buried under the debris. More notably, Shaq was the only player in the league to have a successful hip hop career – off the court he was Dr. Jekyll but on the court he was Mr. Hyde.
Kevin Garnett
The uncrowned king of trash-talk and according to Joakim Noah “He’s a really angry guy.”
Kevin Garnett is another player who will do or say whatever it takes to gain the competitive edge on the opposition. If you’re sensitive to mama jokes and sharp elbows, perhaps you should call in sick before stepping on the court against KG.
Garnett is despised throughout the league as being a “dirty player” but respected by most because of his mental toughness, defensive ability, in-game intensity, and most of all his passion for the game. Kevin Garnett is the prototype of an team anchor and floor leader. Overall he’s one of the toughest players to ever play the game, but most of all, he’s a trash-talking goon.
Lebron James
LeBron James Disliked by many, scorned by Cleveland Cavalier fans, and so-called “Heat Haters” across the country, however one thing is certain, Lebron James is as tough a player you will find across any position in the NBA.
James is a premier defender who’s not afraid to mix it up with the big boys down low. He’s a nightmare to guard because he can perform efficiently from any position on the court. While he’s known for flopping occasionally, he’s also known to leave tire tracks on the upper torso of players who mindlessly attempt to stop him in transition. Physically, James is stacked, powerful, mean, and he demands a double-team in the low-post against most guards in the league.
I feel more than comfortable with the list of players I have selected as members of the “Goon Squad.” If you created an all-time toughest players team, who would be listed? Share your thoughts.

33 Comments
Pete
August 30, 2020 at 5:10 pm1 Wilt
2 Willis Reed
Anything else is ridiculous
Lawrence Webb
October 18, 2019 at 2:19 pmYou youngsters must have never heard of a much smaller guy who had Wilt Chamberlain shaking in his “Converse”… pound for pound the toughest mo fo in NBA history… “Al Attles”… LOOK HIM UP!
Tony
April 22, 2020 at 10:31 pmWell if your nickname is “The Destroyer” …
Jr. Williams
July 13, 2020 at 12:19 pmlol.. right..
timothy wilson
August 30, 2019 at 5:13 pm5 bad boys should be on list Isiah Bill Dennis Rick and Big Ben
JJ
June 28, 2019 at 6:10 amNot saying he was the toughest but how about Willis Reed,google his fight against the Lakers. Calvin Murphy is slept on also.Wilt no one dare mess with him or William Felton Russell.
Scott Hastings
March 31, 2019 at 1:41 pmMahorn Ruland together or alone!!!(bruise brothers) maurice lucas, kermit Washington..see rudy t. Lonnie shelton!!! All Easy in the top 10
Derrick
February 22, 2019 at 10:47 pmJohn Stockton. He played in every game in 17 of 19 season. He was only 175 pounds, but would never back down and was mentally tough as well. Pound for pound he is my choice. He is tougher than Oakley, Shaq, Laimbeer and others. He is the toughest….not to mention the smartest as well.
JJ
June 28, 2019 at 6:13 amDerrick.Stockton was dirty everyone in that era said that. Jordan called him out and was about to kick his ass. Stockton meekly did nothing in response
sman
December 5, 2018 at 10:30 amToughest ever? It depends on the definition.
A lot of players on this list aren’t ‘tough’ just dirty players.
Charles Oakley was no nonsense great defender, powerhouse rebounder, one of the toughest
I’ve ever seen.
Shaq has power but also good sportsmanship as opposed to being just a “goon”.
Allen Iverson for his physical stood with the toughest, best of the best.
Colin
October 30, 2018 at 9:00 pmBen Wallace and James johnson
Dave
September 5, 2018 at 8:51 pmSimply put “Larry”. Even his teammates were afraid of him if they didn’t compete at the highest level every night. He never backed down
Eugene
June 1, 2018 at 8:30 amWhoever wrote this list didn’t watch Rick Mahorn play
vinny
December 23, 2017 at 6:06 pmJungle Jim Luscotoff
Clay
November 1, 2017 at 1:12 amKarl Malone. Ask Isiah Thomas, or anyone that had to play him. Almost be ever missed a game except for suspensions from hurting people.
Elias
August 23, 2017 at 5:41 pmRon Artest should be in jail, not on any list that resembles anything positive… He’s a shame of a human being in my opinion for everything he did in the NBA!
Jeff
July 13, 2017 at 1:14 pmBen Wallace
EJ Anderson
June 12, 2017 at 8:36 pmJohn Brisker. Look him up. Lebron James… really?
Da Man
May 17, 2017 at 10:59 pmEver heard of a guy named MICHAEL JORDAN!! BILL RUSSELL, WILT CHAMBERLAIN, DARYL DAWKINS, WESLEY UNSELD!
Cat
April 29, 2017 at 11:43 amJohn Stockton……. he could fight for a rebound and would always get back up after getting knocked down instead of crying foul to the ref.
Ethan
April 5, 2017 at 2:22 amWhat about latrell sprewell he was such a goon he choked his coach.
Dwayne
March 11, 2017 at 3:47 pmCharles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Kurt Thomas for sho..
M****** JONES
January 24, 2017 at 3:02 amLEBRON !!!!
TOUGH !!!!
KOBE PLAYED WITH A RUPTURED ACHILLES WITHOUT CRYING MAN !
Andi 34
January 4, 2017 at 4:19 pmBarkley used to beat up Dennis Rodman. so your little poll is invalid.
Dave Duff
October 4, 2016 at 6:03 pmLaimbeer was a cheap shot artist, not a tough guy. Any 7 footer who lives out on the 3 point arc (whenever he’s not undercutting or elbowing somebody in the paint) is a poosy in my book.
Mike
June 12, 2016 at 1:15 pmC’mon! Where’s Rick Mahorn?
Todd
November 5, 2016 at 11:35 pmBarkley certainly thought Mahorn was the baddest of the Bad Boys, and was very, very glad when he came to Philly. The two of them and Mike Gminski made for a hell of a front line. Too bad they couldn’t play together longer.
Da Man
May 17, 2017 at 11:02 pmToo bad Gminski and Mahorn basically sucked. Mahorn was a bruise brother, butt he pretty much sucked at everything basketball.
RP
April 27, 2017 at 3:04 pmOh Yeah!!! C’MON!! Where is RICK MAHORN!? He, Oak-Man, an X-Man were top 3 if I only get to pick 3. Laimbeer was a coward.Cheap-shot artist… not a true tough guy.
Jr. Williams
April 27, 2017 at 3:17 pmI agree, I think I may write a part two.
TD
June 2, 2016 at 9:29 pmThis list is ridiculous!! Where’s Larry Bird ?!?! Stephan Curry , Allen Iverson tougher that Larry Bird ?!?! C’mon now , that’s absurd!!
ron
May 5, 2016 at 1:18 pmEver heard of a guy named Derrick Coleman
Jr. Williams
May 6, 2016 at 4:59 pmOf course, but would you rank him as one of the toughest players ever?