At some point, every professional basketball player will disagree with a referee’s call. It doesn’t matter how skilled or accomplished they are—whether it’s LeBron James or James Harden, or any other superstar—there will always be moments when fouls are called that they feel were unwarranted, or crucial mistakes by the officials go unnoticed. While some players have better in-game coping mechanisms accept these situations as part of the game and move on, others struggle to hide their frustration, making sure the referees and everyone in the arena know exactly how they feel.

Almost every player gets lost in the competition at some point, letting emotions dictate their reactions to calls they perceive as unfair. In a high-stakes, fast-paced environment, the adrenaline rush and the desire to win can amplify even minor officiating errors, leading to heated confrontations or prolonged complaints. Some players allow questionable calls to disrupt their rhythm, leading to technical fouls, momentum shifts, and even ejections. In the long run, how a player reacts to officiating can shape their reputation, influencing how they’re perceived by refs, opponents, and fans alike.

A recent example involves Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who, during a playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, threw one of the team’s hot packs onto the court out of frustration. While this act could have warranted a technical foul, the officials chose not to penalize Murray during the game. The NBA later fined Murray $100,000 for the incident but did not impose a suspension. This situation underscores the importance of maintaining composure, as emotional reactions can lead to significant consequences, both in-game and financially.

The NBA’s 10 Biggest Complainers

A handful of NBA superstars who dominate highlight reels and are celebrated for their on-court production are also notorious for their exasperation, frustration, and confrontational approach with referees. Whether it’s arguing calls, throwing up their hands in disbelief, or following officials down the court pleading their case, these players have earned a reputation for never letting a questionable call go unnoticed. We’ve compiled a subjective list of the NBA’s biggest complainers, along with a deeper look into why they feel compelled to challenge nearly every whistle.

At its core, complaining to referees is often a byproduct of intense competitiveness and a desire for control. NBA players operate in a high-stakes environment where even the smallest call can shift momentum, and for elite stars, maintaining an edge means influencing every aspect of the game—including officiating. Some players use complaints as a strategic tool, hoping to sway future calls in their favor, while others react out of sheer emotion, unable to suppress their frustration in the heat of battle. Regardless of the motivation, complaining has become a staple of NBA culture, woven into the fabric of how the game is played at the highest level.

Draymond Green

This isn’t a surprise, right? Green is an intense and competitive player that never seems to stop talking and is perhaps the most-visibly frustrated players in the league. Most-often it’s directed toward the refs. Anytime Green makes a layup, he always seems to yell “AND ONE” in the referee’s direction, and when Draymond feels particularly wronged by a call, he’s one of the most animated players and doesn’t let up. His aggressive dramatics have made Green one of the leaders in technical fouls the last several years.

Luka Doncic

Until recently, Luka was the superstar franchise guard for the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic’s own coach, Jason Kidd, has said that Doncic complains to the refs too much and has expressed frustration with Doncic; the complaints got to the point that Doncic wasn’t participating as much as he should have in the actual game and is one of the many reasons why Doncic was traded away from the Mavs. 

Now, with his blockbuster move to the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic will have to adjust under an even bigger spotlight, where every reaction will be scrutinized. Whether he reins in his on-court frustrations or continues his battles with officials remains to be seen, but the expectations in LA will demand more focus and composure than ever before.

Lebron James  

As one of the most well-known NBA players around the world, Lebron James is constantly in the spotlight and is regarded as one of the best players in the sport of basketball. Unfortunately, he’s also regarded as one of the biggest complainers. From getting courtside fans thrown out of games to making Isaiah Stewart bloody, James seems to be constantly involved in drama.  His drama occurs off the court, too–mainly through social media such as Twitter. Shaquille O’Neal himself called out Lebron James for complaining about the NBA’s shortened offseason during the 2020-2021 season. 

Chris Paul

CP3’s intelligence, competitiveness, and outspoken nature help make him the Point God, but his perfectionism and passion also make him difficult. This often boils over with opponents, sometimes badgering his own teammates, and definitely manifests in his complaining to the refs. His relentless pursuit of perfection means he rarely lets a call go without a protest, often stopping mid-play to argue his case. While his leadership is undeniable, his constant lobbying can sometimes be a distraction, both for himself and his team.

Russell Westbrook

Westbrook’s stubbornness helps to make him one of the league’s most ferocious players when attacking the rim, but that same bull-headedness and intensity also makes him a bomb ready to go off when something doesn’t go his way. And that explosion is aimed at opponents and referees. Whether it’s barking at officials over a missed call or getting into heated exchanges with defenders, Westbrook wears his emotions on his sleeve. His relentless drive fuels his game, but it also means that when frustrations boil over, they can disrupt the flow of play and sometimes put his team in a tough spot.

Kyle Lowry

I respect Lowry and how he’s been able to maximize his career in the NBA, but it’s hard to respect him considering how demonstrative he is after any call that goes against him or his team. If you watch enough games with Kyle, you’ll see Lowry’s shocked face and outstretched arms directed towards the nearest official. It’s almost as if he believes he’s never committed a foul in his entire career. While some level of lobbying for calls is expected from veterans, Lowry takes it to an extreme, often spending more time arguing than getting back on defense.

Trae Young 

Trae is a herky-jerky guard who’s also a multiple-time NBA All-Star. One of the tougher players to officiate, Young doesn’t take it easy on the officials either. Trae is often one of the league leaders in technical fouls for his exasperated and insulting approach to referees. His style of play, which relies heavily on drawing fouls and baiting defenders into contact, naturally leads to plenty of frustration when he doesn’t get the calls he expects. Whether it’s throwing his hands up in disbelief, staring down an official, or chirping after nearly every whistle, Young’s relationship with the refs is often contentious. While his competitive fire is part of what makes him a great player, it also earns him a reputation as one of the league’s biggest complainers.

Dwight Howard

Howard didn’t lead the league in technical fouls several times over his long career by NOT complaining. He’s toned it down some in his older age, but our opinion is that’s more because Dwight doesn’t play as many minutes.

Devin Booker 

This high-scoring off-guard is also a non-stop talker on the court, often running his mouth equally to opponents as he is chatting with referees. As with every other player above, Booker acts as if he’s never fouled someone before. His constant jawing and animated reactions after whistles have made him a regular fixture in referee debates. Whether it’s throwing his arms up in disbelief, shaking his head, or walking away muttering under his breath, Booker rarely lets a questionable call go without protest. His fiery personality fuels his game, but it also puts him at odds with officials on a near-nightly basis.

Brook Lopez  

Though his brother Robin Lopez gets more techs, Brook has became well-known in 2020 when he imitated a flop in front of the refs in a game against the Miami Heat. During the game, Miami player Bam Adebayo fell to the ground and played up his injury. He received free throws for what the refs called foul. 

Lopez took issue with what he perceived as a flop, and proceeded to throw himself to the ground in front of the refs to prove his point. Although some people found the event funny, others thought it was an extravagant, unnecessary complaint and Lopez could have injured himself. 

The Psychology of Complaining to Refs 

Being angry with the refs every once in a while is perfectly fine; everyone feels anger. Especially during a situation that is as mentally and physically demanding as a sports game, emotions are bound to come into play. Players often experience intensified emotions and to many players, it isn’t just a game–it’s also their careers, reputation, pride and livelihood. 

However, some players tend to complain more than others, and some have made a name for themselves due to it. What’s the reason behind this? There’s actually a psychology behind complaining to refs–and complaining too much is actually known as chronic complaining. 

One of the key aspects to chronic complaining is the feeling of a loss of control. If players feel that notifying someone (in this case, the refs) about a problem will help remedy the situation, they are more likely to complain so that they can regain control over the situation. Complaining is also a type of communication and can help people feel validated; some people may seek out validation more than others. People also have different tolerance levels for conflict. Someone who complains more often may have a lower tolerance. 

However, complaining also helps reinforce ego–which is why some of the biggest names in basketball are known for complaining. Sometimes, people believe that they hold sway just because of who they are, and that their complaints will be listened to. They’re good at what they do and believe they’re always right. 

While complaining isn’t necessarily bad, it can have a negative impact if it occurs too often. Just ask Brook Lopez, Luka Doncic, and Lebron James–or any of the players, coaches, and refs that have to be around them.