Who Is The Biggest Ball Hogger in History?

[Lamrock]

Just because his PPG average has dipped slightly doesn't mean he is any more of a team player than he was these past few years.

[Andrew]

speaking of 'black holes', i am surprised that no one has mentioned Sam Cassell thus far

I don't know about that, his assist numbers were respectable and his teammates could expect a pass back after it ended up in his hands.

[Lamrock]

Valor, Sam Cassell was a great player. Don't know what you're talking about. Maybe the only game you saw of him was a bad one?

[NovU]

No kidding. Sam Cassell was valuable piece wherever he played. He was nothing close to "Black Hole".

[Dan's Brain]

I get the feeling that was a Cassell=alien reference.

[Valor]

sorry, should have made myself more clear....Sam Cassell of recent years (Especially during the finals in 08...) every time he gets the ball he shoots within 5 seconds...

[Andrew]

I get the feeling that was a Cassell=alien reference.

I thought about that too, but I guess not.

[Dan's Brain]

Yeah I gave him an opportunity to get out of that.....

he maybe should have taken it.

[Dee.]

What about Agent Zero,i think he Averaged about 4 Turnovers per game,and only about 7~ Assists,While Scoring About 27ppg.~ (05-06 or 06-07 Season i think).

[Valor]

Yeah I gave him an opportunity to get out of that.....

he maybe should have taken it.

haha maybe, but i was referring to only recent years i know that he was a pretty good passer and was a willing passer

[nba_baller]

What about Agent Zero,i think he Averaged about 4 Turnovers per game,and only about 7~ Assists,While Scoring About 27ppg.~ (05-06 or 06-07 Season i think).

Actually it was around 6 assists but that is well above the league average and more then Kobe Bryant and in the same range as Lebron James. And, in the 06-07 season Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash and Dwight Howard all averaged more turnovers then Arenas, so I don't think we can conclude from those stats he was a hog.

[Andrew]

Well, he was, but no more so than most high scorers. As Ben said, it's more about dominating the basketball to the detriment of the team.

[Leander]

This question is not easy to answer. A backup shooter who only drains threes isn't automatically a ballhog if he takes the shot whenever he gets the ball. He rather is a roleplayer who does what his coach needs him to.
If a player is selfish and a backup he won't play. Only star-players with great skills are allowed to have their selfish moments. If a backup is too selfish he won't get minutes. The coach doesn't tolerate selfishness unless a player is really good like Kobe.

Imo selfishness goes hand in hand with skills. The better the more the player is allowed to without being subbed out. Some soccer players are selfish as well, are in love with the ball, are arrogant...BUT they can afford it because they are stars and their team needs them.

[Andrew]

Good to see you around again, Leander. I know you were posting a bit in the 2K sections earlier this year but haven't seen you around the general sections in a while.

That's a good point about skills but success is paramount as well. One could call players like Jordan and Kobe selfish and back it up with plenty of examples and stats, but it's difficult to argue with the formula when it's not only successful at an individual level but they're also on championship teams. It's kind of like an unorthadox shooting form. It may not be textbook and it may not be something that's taught to someone learning the game, but if it feels comfortable for the player involved and they have a lot of success with it, you can't fault them for using it.