As of 1990, Elvin Hayes was one of the two NBA players to be top three all-time in total points and rebounds, with the other player being Wilt Chamberlain. However, almost everyone seemed to want to literally kill "The Big Enigma": Here are some of the best/worst quotes

Wes Unseld, former MVP and teammate of Hayes with the Bullets:

"There were times when I wanted to strangle Elvin or break his back. Those thoughts definitely crossed my mind."

Hall of Fame Coach Bill Fitch:

To promising young big man Ralph Sampson, who an aging Elvin wanted to mentor "You stay away from that no-good fucking prick."

Hall of Fame Coach Alex Hannum:

Described Hayes as "the most despicable person I've ever met in sports."

In the 1975 NBA Finals, the Warriors were given no chance against Hayes' Bullets, but swept the series 4-0. Hannum's explanation was, "Hayes quit colder than a mackerel."

Sportswriter Bob Ryan:

"he is one of the most boring players and worst human beings that ever lived."

Washington Bullets Trainer:

"For most players and coaches, being around Elvin every day is like a Chinese water torture. It's just a drop at a time, nothing big, but in the end, he's driven you crazy."

Sports Illustrates Writers:

Most coaches admitted they would rather take arsenic than Elvin Hayes. His reputation was that of a man with a fragile ego who alternately stormed and sulked at criticism, who was sometimes sullen with his teammates and coaches, who could cause dissension in the Partridge family. At the press conference announcing the trade (Elvin to the Baltimore Bullets, now the Washington Wizards, in exchange for the fringe All-Star Jack Marin), Shue was asked if it was strictly one-for-one. "No," he replied, "we get Elvin's psychiatrist, too."

He was an All Star his first 6 years in the league, and Sports Illustrated had this to say about him at the time: "During his 4 years with the Rockets, Hayes was variously considered a ball hog, a rotten apple, a dumbbell, and a guaranteed loser." After a victorious game seven of the 1978 Finals in which Elvin fouled out in the fourth quarter, the Sports Illustrated issue said "Individualism overcame Elvin in yet another big contest" and "Hayes *once again disappeared in the moments of crisis."