Pyle of List

People often talk about chemistry when talking about sports. The idea that the ability of players to interact and get along off the field helps their performance on the field. But what happens when a player (usually a star player) doesn’t mesh with his team? Or Coach? Or owner? Or anybody?

In light of Jay Cutler and Josh McDaniels’ little slap fight over who might or might not have been traded (or will be traded) we wanted to take a look back at other stars who didn’t get along with somebody. We’ll also include who ‘won’ the fued. Enjoy!

The rarely seen ‘dual dick slap’
T.O. vs Donovan McNabb- Winner: Tie There are no winners in “black on black crime.”

Donovan hasn’t had anyone close to the caliber of T.O. since T.O. left the Eagles and T.O. was in bed with a Romo all this time until his recent move to Buffalo.  This beef was arguably the most entertaining teammate vs. teammate drama since Herschel Walker vs. himself (I know I’m wrong for that).  The words even kept flying after T.O.’s departure.  These two need to hug it out.

    
The old man was soon found dead under a bridge
Latrell Sprewell vs.  PJ Carlesimo’s throat- Winner: Sprewell

Try as the throat might, it couldn’t withstand the strong grasp of Sprewell’s hands. Even though Sprewell’s career spiraled from here on out (remember the “my family’s got to eat” quote?) he got the better of this altercation.

That’s not champagne, it’s stripper sweat. That’s how Jerry Jones rolls.
Jerry Jones vs. Jimmy Johnson- Winner: Jerry

You would have thought that two straight Super Bowl wins would secure a coach’s job.  But when Jimmy and Jerry got into it after the ‘94 Super Bowl and Jerry told Jimmy that he, “could get 500 different coaches that could coach this team.”  After tossing Jimmy on the street, Jerry must have started on the bottom of the list.  Former Sooners coach and cheater extraordinaire Barry Switzer took over the head coaching job and left the players alone throughout the season and most of the post season.  According to Nate Newton, Switzer tried to actually coach in the ‘95 NFC Championship game.  Dallas lost to the 49ers putting and end to the bid for 3 straight Super Bowls.

“If you’re not gonna play me, I’m not gonna stop sulking!”
Starbury vs. The Knicks- Winner: Starbury

This is just one more example of the problem with the NBA’s guaranteed contracts.   Marbury signed a four year extension in the October 2003 that would extend his contract through this season for an extra $76 million.  That extension was signed with the Suns. Three months later, in January 2004, the Suns traded him and his contract to Isiah Thomas and the Knicks.  He actually put up pretty good offensive number the first season and a half with the Knickerbockers, but the team still finished under .500.  After that, it was downhill.  He got benched by the new coach, D’Antoni, this season.  And finally, with over $20 million remaining on his contract, the Knicks just let him go.  Now he’s resigned with a title contender while New York continues to pay him way too much money.  Messed up.

What you can’t see is the pool of acid below them.
Shaq vs. Kobe- Winner: The media

If there’s nothing worse than wasted potential, these two are easily the worst pairing on this list. Shaq and Kobe were virtually unstoppable as long as they could simply tolerate each other. It’s hard to believe, but they still could be dominating together if their egos didn’t get in the way. Plus these two were such a big ratings draw, the officials called games about as fairly as a guest referee in a wrestling match… just ask the Kings.

“For the last time, coach, I can’t play QB!”
Keyshawn Johnson vs. Jon Gruden- Winner: Draw

It’s rare for a well-recognized player to get deactivated in the middle of the season without an injury. It’s even rarer when it happens the year after a Super Bowl championship. But such is the case of Keyshawn and Jon Gruden, who never really got along in Tampa largely because of Johnson’s unwavering support of the ousted Tony Dungy. Keyshawn eventually made it on to ESPN and Jon Gruden had several successful seasons before getting canned this offseason. He was last spotted trying to sign journeymen quarterbacks all across the nation.

Carter shows Toronto the way to the door.
Vince Carter vs. The Raptors- Winner: Carter

The only reason there’s a winner here is because, in the end, VC got paid.  He paved the way for guys like Marbury.  The way Vince Carter treated the Raptors is incorrigible.   He signed a max contract with the Raptors, obviously.  Then, to start the 2004-05 season, he sulked his way to 15. 8 points per game on 41% shooting.  The Toronto brass, realizing that he had quit on the team (he later admitted to quitting in an interview with John Thompson), traded him for Alonzo Mourning, Eric and Aaron Williams, and two first round picks.  Carter’s numbers immediately rebounded for the rest of the season as he averaged 27.5 points on 46% shooting.  The Nets made it to the playoffs the next three seasons, but never made it out of the second round.  But Vince Carter still got paid and he got to play where he wanted.  The Raptors got some crumby players.  Those two first round draft picks turned into Joey Graham and Hassan Adams.  Woo.

“Whatever, man, I’m high…”
Manny Ramirez vs. Red Sox- Winner: Red Sox

Manny couldn’t go a season without asking for a trade when he was playing in Boston.  And Red Sox brass didn’t want him around either.  Each year they would waive Manny hoping someone, anyone would reach out and grab that monster contract.  Finally, Manny phoned it in for the first part of the season last year and the Red Sox were able to find a trade partner in the Dodgers.  When Manny’s contract expired and the Dodgers made a huge contract offer, Theo Epstien lit a cigar and chuckled quietly.

This picture is more ‘Merican than thinking you’re better than everybody else
Dale Earnhardt Jr. vs. Earnhardt Racing- Winner: Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Ignoring Jr.’s obvious lack of recent success since moving to Hendrick Motorsports, the bottom line is that DEI lost the most popular driver in the sport.  The Jr. vs. his “evil” stepmom drama was the classic case of, “I don’t want you to be my mama, you gold diggin’ tramp… Aaaand you have the nerve to try to be MY BOSS after my pop dies?”  The simple fact that Jr. had to battle for the rights to his own name would’ve been enough for me to want to bail on DEI also.

“ESPN is going to do a show about this some day.”
“What’s a ‘ESPN’?”
Reggie Jackson vs. Billy Martin- Winner: Reggie Jackson

Reggie started out on the wrong foot, throwing Thurman Munson under the bus with his ‘I’m the straw that stirs the drink’ line. Add that to the fact that Martin already resented Reggie for beating his Tigers in the playoffs, and this was never going to work out. Martin would pull Reggie for loafing, suspend him, even lunge at him in the dugout, but Reggie and his magical post-season prowess won the hearts of everyone and Martin was gone before Reggie.

Clearly there are some we left off the list, so add them in the comments!