Leaving a tip can be a tricky practice, as opinions differ on how much to leave or whether to give one at all. While those working in the service industry appreciate such gestures, some consumers balk at being expected to pay more on top of their bill.
One former NBA player who was called "trash" for leaving a $13.97 tip on a $487.13 bill was Andre Roberson . The incident occurred in 2017, when the defensive-minded wingman reportedly received a three-year, $30 million deal from the Oklahoma City Thunder .
As mentioned, the topic of tipping is prickly. Some contend that they shouldn't have to leave a tip when all a server did was hand them a bottle, which is precisely what Roberson argued in response to the allegation against him.
"Shouldn't have had to tip you it was just a bottle at a bar ...there was no service ..now I can see if it was a club! You Reaching bro," Andre posted on X.
However, some argue that tipping is a necessary part of the service industry and should be factored into the overall cost of dining out. Others say that tipping encourages good service and rewards hardworking servers.
That said, Roberson's $13.97 tip is nothing compared to what the GOAT, Michael Jordan, allegedly gave a waitress during a private gambling session in Sin City. According to Rich Strafella, a former executive of the Hard Rock Hotel, MJ and another sports icon, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, were gambling in a private salon when Jordan ordered a cocktail. Once the drink was delivered to him, Jordan handed her a five-dollar chip, which Gretzky noticed.
"Wayne took it off the cocktail waitress's tray, gave it back to Michael, grabbed a hundred-dollar chip from Michael's stack, and put it on the cocktail waitress's tray. Then he said, 'That's how we tip in Las Vegas, Michael,'" Strafella recalled .
Considering that MJ has billions of dollars in his bank account, he could certainly afford to hand a waitress more than $5.
While Roberson and Jordan were hesitant tippers, one iconic center never hesitated to give as much as he could to waiters and servers he encountered. That man was none other than Shaquille O'Neal.
"Like, I like leaving big tips. I've been asking for the last 20 years, 'How much you want?' And a like the people go like, 'No, no, no, I can't answer that,'" Shaq shared . "One girl got smart and said, 'I want 10 thousand.' 'Well, I can't give you 10 thousand, but I will get you one.' She was smart and I was like, 'I f—k with you.'"
Another All-Star who didn't fail to recognize the efforts of hotel staff members for their guests during the 2020 Orlando bubble was Russell Westbrook , who gave an $8,000 tip before leaving the hotel where he and his team stayed.
"They took great care of us. Took the time and energy to do their job at a high level. That was the right thing. I like to do the right thing," Westbrook remarked .
Tipping is never mandatory, but for NBA stars who make far more than those in the service industry earn in their entire lifetimes, sharing a piece of their fortune to express appreciation and gratitude is a small gesture that goes a long way.
Related: How Michael Jordan learned hard lessons from record $168 million divorce
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
