on March 4, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 115-111 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
All sorts of characters from different backgrounds, domestically and internationally, have made it into the NBA over the years.

Most players assimilate nicely into, shall we call it, “millionaire-athlete culture,” there are always the resisters who remain tied to suspect people from their younger days—or fall into the traps of fame and fortune.

Let’s look at 10 men who reside in Springfield who had the sketchiest lives off the court.

Dennis Rodman

CHICAGO – MAY 24: Former NBA star Dennis Rodman hosts the launch of Captain Morgan Tattoo at a VIP party on May 24, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. Rodman arrived to the party on a motorbike and was escorted by Captain Morgan Girls. Jade Dragon artist George Pappas was on hand to give tattoos on site. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Well… Dennis Rodman is—and has always been—just about as sketchy as it gets. Between his crazy partying and his political missions to North Korea, no one does sketchy like The Worm.

Paul Pierce

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 14: Former NBA player Paul Pierce attends the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 14, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Suns 127-112. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Celtics legend has long tended to put himself in compromising situations, like when he went live on Instagram during a stripper-filled bender. If that’s what he posted—we can only imagine what he’s been getting into off-camera through the years.

Allen Iverson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Allen Iverson and Actively Black designer Lanny Smith attend the Actively Black NYFW after party at PEAK at Hudson Yards on September 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Actively Black)
Allen Iverson was one of the most electric players to watch on the court during his prime, but he regularly found himself under scrutiny off it. Iverson could blow through money like no one’s business, and he always seemed to be doing it in sketchy ways, like hanging out at sketchy nightclubs, strip clubs, or gambling. Iverson was routinely in the news for the transgressions that stemmed from these hobbies and had several run-ins with the law.

Chris Webber

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 25: Former Sacramento Kings player Chris Webber is acknowledged by the crowd during the Kings game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on October 25, 2019 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Chris Webber has been tied up with sketchy characters from his days at the University of Michigan. Granted, much of that controversy could—and should’ve been avoided if the NCAA had adopted more moderate and player-friendly policies, but alas.

He continued to find himself embroiled in controversy as his career progressed, catching multiple charges in 1998 stemming from a traffic stop that turned into an assault.

Charles Barkley

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 28: Charles Barkley is introduced to the new Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor during the NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 126-104. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Now that he’s in his 60s and settled into a cushy TV gig, Charles Barkley has lost some of his edge, but the Alabama native used to be just as brash off-the-court as he was on it. Whether it was bar fights or DUIs, Barkley always seemed to be living life on the edge. He is also believed to be a compulsive gambler, even to this day, which often comes with some rather questionable relationships and sketchy situations.

Jason Kidd

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 11: Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 11, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jason Kidd was always portrayed as this team-first, team-leader type of player, but there has always been a clear divide between who he was on the hardwood and off it.

Not only has he had many issues with teammates and coaches in the locker room, but he’s also had a handful of run-ins with the law.

Scottie Pippen

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 17: NBA legend Scottie Pippen looks on during the round 20 NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena, on February 17, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
With each passing week, Scottie Pippen’s off-the-court life is looking more and more sketchy, largely thanks to his very public fallout with his now ex-wife Larsa Pippen. It appears the two had all sorts of skeletons in their collective closet.

Magic Johnson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 03: LAFC Owner Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson speaks during a ceremony for the newly renamed BMO Stadium at BMO Stadium on March 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
There isn’t much about Magic Johnson’s life we don’t know about at this point. The man lived it up in every way imaginable during the 80s. All of that partying and philandering seems to have crossed over into sketchy territory.

Not to mention all of the big business he’s involved in now—it is hard to imagine he’s been able to get this far by delving into some sketchy dealings.

Isiah Thomas

CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 20: Isiah Thomas reacts after being introduced as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The former standout point guard for the Detroit Pistons has been all over the map. He was a great basketball player and after his playing days finished, he seemed to have been a successful businessman—and got his hands on many high-profile projects.

But for some reason, it seems like everywhere he’s been, he’s left a wake of chaos. During his playing days, he was edged out of the Dream Team because so many other stars, namely Michael Jordan, couldn’t stand him. Then, when he was the President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks, a female executive filed harassment charges against him.

There’s no denying how accomplished Thomas has been, but his successes generally seem to have a shadow accompanying them.

Karl Malone

Former US basketball player Karl Malone attends the NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 18, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Unfortunately, Karl Malone’s “sketchiness” has crossed over some horrendous lines. In his younger days, he fathered multiple children around Louisiana, allegedly including one to a girl, who was 13 when she gave birth.