The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Bell and Williams don't belong. They have passion, but they are other players that probably have more heart putting it on the line. A.I, Kobe, KG, ZO, Battier, DWade, people may laugh but Najera is willing to put it on the line every night no matter what. I'll even throw Moon in the mix. These are just a few off the top of the dome, that really battle it out no matter what the situation is. They show HEART. Too bad the rest of the league can't follow their example The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
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In any industry, heart separates good from great. In the NBA, heart means training year round. Heart means showing up in November and May. And heart means competing after signing an eight or nine figure contract. Back in the day, New York's John Starks was the measuring stick. The Beastie Boys immortalized the shooting guard with the epic line: "I got heart like John Starks" ...
 Every week, HoopsVibe The Blog will drop a basketball related list for fans to debate. We call it 'Listed' ...In any industry, heart separates good from great. In the NBA, heart means training year round. Heart means battling in November as well as May. And heart means competing after signing an eight or nine figure contract. Back in the day, New York’s John Starks was the measuring stick. The Beastie Boys immortalized the shooting guard with the epic line: “I got heart like John Starks”. Starks’ time has come and gone. A new generation of players display passion by overcoming personal and professional setbacks. Who has the biggest heart? That’s tough to answer. Heart is subjective and every player has battled to get to and stay in the NBA. In the latest edition of ‘Listed’, HoopsVibe the Blog names five players with giant hearts. #5) Raja Bell, Phoenix Suns. Why: Bell spent years in various minor leagues before landing in Philly as a defender. He developed a three-point shot and is now a serviceable two-way player for the Suns. Success couldn't stop Bell from risking his career by playing on a torn calf muscle in a key playoff game. #4) Jay Williams, N/A. Why: Sure, ‘J-Will’ violated his contract by riding a motorcycle and then killed his career by mangling his leg in a gruesome motorcycle crash. But the former Bull didn’t just accept a cheque and disappear. He publicly owned his mistake, relearned basics like walking, and nearly rehabbed his way back to the NBA. Right now, Williams’ status is unclear. Officially, he’s retired. Unofficially, reports have him scheming on a comeback. Don’t count him out, though. Ever. #3) Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat. Why: Overcoming his height disadvantage was amazing. Overcoming his kidney disease and returning to the NBA was also amazing. Now, at 38 years old, he hopes to overcome a knee injury and join the Heat midseason. Whatever happens, Mourning’s legacy as a warrior is secure. #2) Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets. Why: For years, the old school attacked him. They dogged his braids, tattoos, rants about practice, and shot selection. Then Larry Brown, the oldest of old school, coached him and fell in love with his heart. The Answer is just 5-10 and 160 pounds. And he often plays injured. But Iverson always attacks the basket and challenges league giants. 1) Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics. Why: An all-time great, Garnett was reduced to tears playing for an incompetent organization. Yet, ‘The Big Ticket’ never spoke out publicly or complained. He even stayed loyal after his former boss, Minnesota owner Glen Taylor, publicly slammed him last season. Justice was served when Garnett won an NBA Title with Boston. And the four-man wrote another chapter in his Hall of Fame career. Who has the biggest heart in the NBA? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of interbasket.
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Bruce Bowen should be mentioned as well, despite people thinking he plays dirty. He goes out their and plays with heart banging against big men or Ding up small men, and holding his own on the court with the skills that he has report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
I like him at starter, but coming off the bench as a 6th man is probably the teams best interest. He is the perfect 6th man type of player. I love watching him play, I don't care how long he's been in the league he comes in plays his best every time and doesn't get pissy about about anything. Al Horford is another one as well. Another veteran that should get some love that plays with heart is Bruce Bowen despite what people may think report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Kobe all day baby!#1, A.I.#2, ZO #3, KG#4, Jamario Moon#5.Kobester plays through any injury, it has to be absoulte near death for him not play. He still hasn't got his pinkie fixed and won't for awhile. And he still balls better than everyone on the planet. J-Moon has played through every league around working his way to the NBA, and gave his all there as well. He is the most underrated player in the league. He's one of the players who doesn't play for money. just the love and passion report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Jay Williams should be off the list. dummies don't belong on it. He would have reedeemed himself than yeah, but trying and failing, after you fu*ked up shouldn't count report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Hi Penn State Grad. Yeah, Kobe was a candidate. And Moon warranted consideration for sure. However, J-Moon has only played one year, although last season was a truly amazing year when considering how he grinded for so long. I'd like to see him put it together again, though. On a related note PSG, how do you see Moon developing next season? Starter or bench piece? What is his role? Thanks for reading and commenting! Out ... report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
How the hell my comment get down there? Anyway hope you spot it report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Hi PSG, thanks for responding and commenting ... I see your comment, hopefully you see mine as we are dealing with tech issues on comment boards ... Yeah, Moon is a spark player, a change of tempo guy who could really do nice things as a sixth man. You know coach Mitchell loves him because Mitch was a heart guy who didn't make the league until 25 or 26, I believe. Moon needs to add a little range to evolve ... with a jumper, the defense can't sag and he can continue attacking the rim! He also is a refreshing personality ... Thanks again for commenting PSG ... As for Bowen he was a candidate, for sure! ... Out ... report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Oh I knew it wouldn't take long before some idiot bandwagonner came on here going on about how much heart Kobe has. He has nothing compared to players like Garnett and Iverson. He's a pompous a**hole and a bad teammate, and I'm pretty sure he has complained and bit*hed more times than all of these guys put together. Ever hear KG complain? Iverson didn't when he was surrounded with a bad team either. But oh what does Kobe do? Gets Shaquille O'Neal thrown out of town and complains and whines about a trade when he's losing.But Iverson gets my vote, to be his age and have all the injuries he has had and still do what he can do at that size, and plus he NEVER quits. KG is #2. report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
People can say what they want about Kobe, but when it comes to the game he has one of the biggest hearts. He became a team guy this year, and I think they will continue. A.I. complains about practice, granted he does give his all during games, he has complained many times about not having help, and I will look for all the quotes to prove your azz wrong. report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
ALLEN IVERSON IS THE BEST PLAYER HANDS DOWN report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
IVERSON IVERSON AND IVERSON....THEN KG report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
I agree with the 2 lads below me.You might find some quotes bout A.I complainin, but if I was you I wouldn't because there will be about 10 times more from Kobe, and ask anyone that's not a Lakers or Nuggets/76ers fan and they will say AI by far. report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
allen iverson is the best SAY NO MORE!! report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
O why everybody commenting on kg kobe and a.i nobody said anything about gilbert ARENAS he really has nobody at all a.i happy now that he has melo kobe has big white boy at PF and Lamar Odom and kg awa kg don't get me wrong he went to work in the championship but NOT by himself along with him was Paul Pierce and Ray Allen but u don't hear gilbert cryin at all now thats a big heart and he's second to none the TRUTH no if, ands, or buts about it. report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
Of course its allen iverson. Don't get me wrong guys kg is a very passionate player on and off the court but when it comes down to it, it has to be iverson. Factor in the fact that he, a 5-10 player can score 40pts in 5str8 games as a rookie? that still hasn't been done yet. Factor in how much injuries he has sustained. 26 injuries prob more. and yet he still plays. Factor in his push to the finals in 2001. Remember the series vs the bucks where he actually played through all the pain exc for one game, then came 2 days later and torched ray allen and the bucks? then he torched the lakers in game 1 of the finals with aaron mckie & mutumbo as starters? please, iverson has to have the most heart and has to be ranked has an all time player at that fact. Kobe may be a great player but we cannot forget he had it 10 times easier than iverson. he had shaq in his hayday for god sakes. and when his team was losing, he threw the whole lakers organization under the bus. Point of the matter is that iverson regardless of when and where he played played with the most heart and commitment i've ever seen(well... jordan first lol). Let me put it this way. Compare iverson's finals team Vs. Kobe's 2005 laker team and you will understand that iverson had it way worse. People talk about kobe having to score 35ppg for his team to win games. How about iverson who had to score a blistering 38.1ppg one year to keep his offense/disabled team in the playoff hunt. As a 5-10 160pound guard. A.I. is the man. report abuse
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The NBA's biggest heart: Raja Bell, Jay Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, or Kevin Garnett?
how the hell did kobe get into this conversation??? report abuse
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