Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla recently made a bold statement about the state of the NBA, sparking plenty of debate among fans and analysts alike. When discussing how the modern NBA has evolved, Mazzulla was quoted as saying, “I wish we’d bring back fighting,” suggesting that the league is no longer as entertaining as it used to be. His comments have generated mixed reactions, with some agreeing that the league lacks the same intensity as in past decades, while others are concerned about promoting violence in a professional sport.
While physical altercations are certainly a rarity in today’s NBA, the league has a storied history of some of the most intense and infamous fights in professional sports. During the 1980s and 1990s, physicality and heated rivalries were much more commonplace, with fights breaking out frequently as players sought to establish dominance on the court.
Today, the league has instituted much stricter rules to curb fighting, leading to fewer on-court confrontations but also, some argue, a decrease in the raw competitive spirit that once defined the game.
Mazzulla’s comments have led many to revisit some of the wildest fights in NBA history—moments that were shocking, chaotic, and, for better or worse, memorable.
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From bench-clearing brawls to infamous one-on-one showdowns, the NBA has witnessed its share of crazy fights that have etched themselves into basketball lore. Here are some of the craziest fights in NBA history:
1. The Malice at the Palace (2004) Perhaps the most infamous fight in NBA history, the “Malice at the Palace” took place during a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers in Auburn Hills, Michigan. What began as a hard foul quickly escalated into one of the wildest scenes the NBA has ever seen. Players charged into the stands, fans threw drinks, and the brawl spilled over into the crowd. Ron Artest (later known as Metta World Peace), Stephen Jackson, and several others were involved, leading to numerous suspensions and a stain on the league’s reputation. This fight ultimately led to significant changes in league policy regarding player conduct and fan interactions.
2. Larry Bird vs. Dr. J (1984) Two of the biggest stars of the 1980s, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics and Julius Erving (Dr. J) of the Philadelphia 76ers, got into an altercation during a heated matchup. Tensions were high throughout the game as both teams fought for dominance. In the third quarter, Bird and Erving began shoving each other, leading to punches being thrown. The fight resulted in both players being fined, but it highlighted the intense rivalry between the two Eastern Conference powerhouses and underscored the physical nature of the NBA during that era.
3. Knicks vs. Heat Rivalry (1997) The New York Knicks and Miami Heat developed one of the fiercest rivalries of the late 1990s, and their 1997 playoff series featured multiple altercations. The most notable incident occurred during Game 5, when a hard foul by P.J. Brown on Charlie Ward led to an all-out brawl that spilled into the stands. Several players left the bench, which resulted in multiple suspensions that impacted the outcome of the series. The Knicks-Heat rivalry was defined by physical play and intense emotions, and this fight epitomized the animosity between the two teams.
4. Charles Barkley vs. Shaquille O’Neal (1999) Two of the league’s most dominant personalities, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, squared off during a game between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. After a hard foul by O’Neal, Barkley retaliated by throwing the ball at Shaq, leading to a tussle that saw both players end up wrestling on the floor. The fight was quickly broken up, but it showcased the fiery competitiveness of two Hall of Famers who weren’t afraid to stand their ground.
5. Kermit Washington vs. Rudy Tomjanovich (1977) In one of the most shocking incidents in NBA history, Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers punched Houston Rockets forward Rudy Tomjanovich during an on-court altercation. The punch was so powerful that it left Tomjanovich with severe injuries, including a fractured skull and a broken jaw. The incident had a profound impact on the league, leading to stricter penalties for fighting and a greater emphasis on player safety.
While fights like these have become far less common in the modern NBA, the league’s history is full of moments that defined its physical and competitive nature.
Coach Joe Mazzulla’s comments reflect a sentiment shared by some fans—that the NBA has become less intense and lacks the kind of raw emotion that made those classic rivalries so compelling. However, the league’s efforts to prioritize player safety and reduce violence have also helped the game evolve into a more skill-focused and fast-paced spectacle.
Whether you agree with Mazzulla or not, there’s no denying that the NBA’s past was filled with unforgettable moments of physicality that helped shape the game we know today.
The league may no longer embrace the same level of on-court fighting, but the passion, intensity, and rivalries remain a core part of what makes basketball so thrilling for players and fans alike.
