who are some of the BIGGEST BALL HOGS in NBA history?

[TAZORAC]

When people say BALL HOG, I immediately think of Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan.

[ILLsmak]

Thanks for letting us know...

-Smak

[Trademan]

NOT Kobe.

[Kellogs4toniee]

Jordan dominated the ball, that's different then being a ball hog. A ball hog could be someone like al harrington or eddy curry or Zach Randolph pre-Memphis days where they hold the ball and just end up taking a forced shot. Jordan shot like over 55% fg during his prime. It's every coaches plan for a player with that efficiency to dominate the handling of the ball, versus real ball hogs who will simply shoot there team out of the game often times.

[ODEN>DURANT]

I suppose Jordan was a ball hog in terms that he hogged the ball. But Jordan did it in a good way and won 6 rings and is one of the best players to ever play Basketball, if not the best. I suppose he hogged the ball, but when your shooting over 50%) who gives a s*it.

[Dontstop]

John Stockton.

[elganator]

wilt

[Freshprince619]

Michael Jordan is probably the biggest ball hog of all time.
Led the league 10 years straight in shots taken
If thats not a ballhog i dont know what is

[Manute for Ever!]

Michael Jordan is probably the biggest ball hog of all time.
Led the league 10 years straight in shots taken
If thats not a ballhog i dont know what is

He made half of those shots, too.

[AtomSmasher]

ive never seen a bigger ball hog then allen iverson.

[Freshprince619]

He made half of those shots, too.

Lol quit jordan d*ckriding did i say he sucked or he was garbage?
we all know he was great but still a ballhog

[Manute for Ever!]

Lol quit jordan d*ckriding did i say he sucked or he was garbage?
we all know he was great but still a ballhog

Well, you're quite the angry one, aren't you? Just pointing out that they went in.

[lilmagicjohnson]

Allen Iverson, Core Maggette, Ricky Davis, Kobe Bryant

[D-nugz]

All the point guards

[blacknapalm]

ben gordon

[Freshprince619]

Well, you're quite the angry one, aren't you? Just pointing out that they went in.

lol less then half if you want to get all technical

[DuMa]

michael jordan popularized ballhogging because he made it successful. its not really his fault that so many other kids like kobe decided to copy him and think it could elevate him in the same success.

[nbastatus]

Biggest ball hoggers I've seen are Allen Iverson, Kobe, and Kevin Martin.

[lilmagicjohnson]

michael jordan popularized ballhogging because he made it successful. its not really his fault that so many other kids like kobe decided to copy him and think it could elevate him in the same success.
If this makes sense, Kobe Bryant is the MJ of ball hogging.

No one else takes as many stupid selfish shots as Kobe bean-he makes alot of them though and it is spectacular so I shouldnt complain, but I do anyways

[Manute for Ever!]

lol less then half if you want to get all technical

.497, a grand total of 77 missed shots for his career below .500.

[LAClipsFan33]

Bob McAdoo

Black f*ckin hole

[west]

Kobe easily.

[6thManOfTheYear]

Kobe

[strifed169]

watching iverson in all star games is painful and irritating

[SAKOTXA]

The answer is MJ, but you can't call someone a ball hog that has 6 titles and is the greatest basketball player of all time.

[Samurai Swoosh]

The answer is MJ, but you can't call someone a ball hog that has 6 titles and is the greatest basketball player of all time.
I don't have problems with great players hogging the ball. In fact I want that to happen.

I have a problem with the Ben Gordon types of the world who hog the ball

[plowking]

LOL at all these kids saying Jordan. Go watch some tapes of the guy if you're under 21, there are plenty of his games all over the internet; 500+ I'd say.
Jordan in no way dominated the ball as much as Kobe circa 05-07, Lebron and even Wade of last year. Jordan his whole career played in a structured offensive system. The only year I'd say he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe and Wade would be the season he played point and averaged 32/8/8.

[JtotheIzzo]

Nash

can't play D either.

[SAKOTXA]

LOL at all these kids saying Jordan. Go watch some tapes of the guy if you're under 21, there are plenty of his games all over the internet; 500+ I'd say.
Jordan in no way dominated the ball as much as Kobe circa 05-07, Lebron and even Wade of last year. Jordan his whole career played in a structured offensive system. The only year I'd say he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe and Wade would be the season he played point and averaged 32/8/8.

The only difference between MJ/Kobe/Lebron/Wade hogging the ball is that MJ got his shots within the team offense.

[godofgods]

Kobe and Jordan are the clear winners here. Iverson is a close runner up.

[Freshprince619]

LOL at all these kids saying Jordan. Go watch some tapes of the guy if you're under 21, there are plenty of his games all over the internet; 500+ I'd say.
Jordan in no way dominated the ball as much as Kobe circa 05-07, Lebron and even Wade of last year. Jordan his whole career played in a structured offensive system. The only year I'd say he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe and Wade would be the season he played point and averaged 32/8/8.

Jordan led the league 10 years straight in shots taken. Thats ball hogging.

[gpfanz]

When people say BALL HOG, I immediately think of Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan.

KOBE AI

[Sakkreth]

Nash

can't play D either.

Nice trolling idiot, apg league leader is a ball hog ?
:violin:

[plowking]

Jordan led the league 10 years straight in shots taken. Thats ball hogging.

No. The offense was built for him, but it didn't consist of him holding the ball for 20 seconds and making a shot. It was created by the offense, and when they did need him to create he did.
If Jordan played the way Kobe/Wade/Lebron do his stats would be even better in terms of assists and ppg.

[madmax]

No. The offense was built for him, but it didn't consist of him holding the ball for 20 seconds and making a shot. It was created by the offense, and when they did need him to create he did.
If Jordan played the way Kobe/Wade/Lebron do his stats would be even better in terms of assists and ppg.
that's pure speculation on your part though...Jordan wasn't a playmaker that Wade or Lebron are, and him holding the ball as much as these guys would likely result in a tons of turnovers - he was lucky to play under Phil and in a structured offense, as it maximized his abilities and let him play his game, which is not out of his comfort zone

[plowking]

that's pure speculation on your part though...Jordan wasn't a playmaker that Wade or Lebron are, and him holding the ball as much as these guys would likely result in a tons of turnovers - he was lucky to play under Phil and in a structured offense, as it maximized his abilities and let him play his game, which is not out of his comfort zone

Are you just making random sh!t up?

Jordan outside of Phil averaged his best numbers. When he played with Collins for a 3 year stretch outside his rookie year, he played the way Lebron and Wade do now for 1 season, the 32/8/8 season. While doing that, he averaged the same amount of turnovers as Wade and Lebron do now, though he did it while putting up better numbers overall as well. Not to mention once again that he didn't nearly have it as much as Bron and Wade do.
And no, its not speculation. Download or find games on the internet and you'll see yourself.

[Bandito]

Allen Iverson
MJ
Kobe
Not particularly in that order. It's true Mj made most of his shots but nonetheless he's still a ballhog.

[miller-time]

kobe has on off nights.

[GOBB]

Kids here have no concept of what a ball hog is. I chuckled at someone actually lookin at FG attempts per game as thier argument. Where did you get your bball education? espn.com/msgboards. Fail. :violin:

[Cermet]

When people say BALL HOG, I immediately think of Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan.
AI and Kobe

[Jasi]

Ball hog = does not pass when he should = Al Harrington

[Andrei89]

Ball hog = does not pass when he should = Al Harrington

So true

[catzhernandez]

Yeah, a career average of 6.2 assists for Iverson definitely indicates ball hog. :rolleyes:

[Bandito]

Yeah, a career average of 6.2 assists for Iverson definitely indicates ball hog. :rolleyes:
That just means he averaged 6.2 pass per game:lol

[gotbacon23]

Freeman Williams

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willifr01.html

http://hoopedia.nba.com/images/8/8c/Freeman-williams.jpg

6'4" guard
1979-80: 1343 field goal attempts, 166 assists (8.1 fga per assist); 16.4 fga/g in only 25.8 min/game

1980-81: 1381 field goal attempts, 164 assists (8.4 fga per assist), 16.8 fga/g in only 24.1 min/game

career: 4,198 field goal attempts, 516 assists (8.1 fga per assist) 13.0 fg/a in only 20.5 m/game


by comparison, other guards:
jordan 4.4 fga per assist
bryant 4.2 fga per assist
iverson 3.5 fga per assist

8.1 fga per assist is wayyyy more ballhogish for a guard.

[Bandito]

Wilt Chamberlain. Shoot for a 100 in game? That's unreal yo.

[GOBB]

Wilt Chamberlain. Shoot for a 100 in game? That's unreal yo.

How old are you 14? Scoring alot of pts does not make one a ball hog. Educate yourself.

[Allstar24]

Michael Jordan is probably the biggest ball hog of all time.
Led the league 10 years straight in shots taken
If thats not a ballhog i dont know what is
/end thread.

[Da_Realist]

LOL at all these kids saying Jordan. Go watch some tapes of the guy if you're under 21, there are plenty of his games all over the internet; 500+ I'd say.
Jordan in no way dominated the ball as much as Kobe circa 05-07, Lebron and even Wade of last year. Jordan his whole career played in a structured offensive system. The only year I'd say he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe and Wade would be the season he played point and averaged 32/8/8.


No. The offense was built for him, but it didn't consist of him holding the ball for 20 seconds and making a shot. It was created by the offense, and when they did need him to create he did.
If Jordan played the way Kobe/Wade/Lebron do his stats would be even better in terms of assists and ppg.


Are you just making random sh!t up?

Jordan outside of Phil averaged his best numbers. When he played with Collins for a 3 year stretch outside his rookie year, he played the way Lebron and Wade do now for 1 season, the 32/8/8 season. While doing that, he averaged the same amount of turnovers as Wade and Lebron do now, though he did it while putting up better numbers overall as well. Not to mention once again that he didn't nearly have it as much as Bron and Wade do.
And no, its not speculation. Download or find games on the internet and you'll see yourself.

:applause:

Wow. Someone arguing about Jordan actually watched. :cheers:

And just to clarify. The season he averaged 32, 8 and 8 -- he didn't move to point guard until sometime in March so he wasn't as ball dominant earlier that season. Go here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DmKb_fc07c&feature=PlayList&p=2D679EA74D8FA1C0&index=1) and pause at 2:52. This game is in February of that year (before the move to PG) and he was averaging 35, 8 and 7 at that point of the season. :eek: The move to point guard actually made him less productive.

Just wanted to point out that he didn't average those numbers solely because he moved to PG.

[O.J A 6'4Mamba]

education lesson. First of all MJ was never a ball hog all his points came in the flow of the game in a structured system know as the legendary Triangle offense.

Wade and Bron arent ball hogs, they are ball stoppers. They love to dribble on the top of the key since they have no structure. The biggest ball hog has to be 05'-07' Kobe Bryant and really nobody is close. THe guy would shoot while being double teammed all the time. Refused to pass it to the open man, yet again i don't blame him Smush Parker was his PG.

[ShaqAttack3234]

lol less then half if you want to get all technical

Actually during the time he had those 10 seasons where he led the league in FGA, he easily cleared the 50% mark. The 2 seasons in Washington dropped him below 50%. I think he was at 51.5% before that.

And as far as ballhogs? As great as Wilt was, you could argue he was up there. I mean this is a guy who is known to have played for stats at times. He averaged 39.5 FGA and 17 FTA the season he averaged 50, and he had four straight seasons with over 30 shot attempts per game. Which for a center means you have to hold the ball a lot.

Kobe could make the list at times. For example in 2001 when he started off the season trying to be the number 1 option, despite having a player who was better than him on the team. The Lakers struggled to start the season before Shaq started getting more touches. Another example is 2003 when he takes 27 shots per game, shoots 43% and the Lakers lose to the Spurs in 6, despite Shaq averaged 25/14/3/3 on 55% shooting. Then in the 2004 finals he averages 22.5 points on 22.5 shots and 38% shooting while Shaq averaged 27 points on 16.6 shots and 63% shooting. The amount of shots Kobe was taking throughout this season as well, even when he was injured also could qualify him.

But I don't consider '05-'07 to be ballhogging for Kobe. Phil Jackson gave him the greenlight to shoot as much as he wanted and for most of the 3peat, he did play as a team player. He was also a good team player in 2008 and 2009.

[fubu05]

education lesson. First of all MJ was never a ball hog all his points came in the flow of the game in a structured system know as the legendary Triangle offense.

Wade and Bron arent ball hogs, they are ball stoppers. They love to dribble on the top of the key since they have no structure. The biggest ball hog has to be 05'-07' Kobe Bryant and really nobody is close. THe guy would shoot while being double teammed all the time. Refused to pass it to the open man, yet again i don't blame him Smush Parker was his PG.

When was the last time Lakers had a good PG?

[SEEBASS1234]

I just want to point out that Kobe is leading the league in FGA

[Batman]

When was the last time Lakers had a good PG?
http://hoopsaddict.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/nickvanexel001.jpg

[ShaqAttack3234]

http://hoopsaddict.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/nickvanexel001.jpg

Too bad he was embarrassingly bad in the '97 and '98 playoffs, particularly '98 when he shot 23% in the WCF.

[Big#50]

Jamal Crawford. Seen him play in about 20 games. Have yet to see him pass once.

[fubu05]

Jamal Crawford. Seen him play in about 20 games. Have yet to see him pass once.

Coach runs a specific offense when the 2nd unit comes on. It's called the Jamaal Crawford offense. :confusedshrug:

[gts]

alot of people confusing the wording "ball hog" with touches, shot attempts or usage...

mj ai kobe lebron etc etc are all guys you want to touch the ball and do what they get paid to do with it, you want the ball in these guys hands.. thye are not ball hogs they are ball dominant, they are elite nba players

[dyna]

Iverson

[wagexslave]

Leandro Barbosa

[Fatal9]

LOL at all these kids saying Jordan. Go watch some tapes of the guy if you're under 21, there are plenty of his games all over the internet; 500+ I'd say.
Jordan in no way dominated the ball as much as Kobe circa 05-07, Lebron and even Wade of last year. Jordan his whole career played in a structured offensive system. The only year I'd say he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe and Wade would be the season he played point and averaged 32/8/8.
Sounds like you should take your own advice and watch Jordan pre-Phil and pre-Pippen becoming all-star. There's nothing wrong with him shooting, it was what was needed, but the idea that he was less ball dominant from '86-'89 than Lebron this/last year is comedy. And he did it on far inferior teams while not retaining the level of team chemistry that Lebron does. You don't shoot more than any player in the last 30 years, along with 12 FTAs a game and 5-6 assists without becoming a ball hog. Jordan did however probably act quicker than Lebron does, which may add to the illusion.

[Younggrease]

LOL at all these kids saying Jordan. Go watch some tapes of the guy if you're under 21, there are plenty of his games all over the internet; 500+ I'd say.
Jordan in no way dominated the ball as much as Kobe circa 05-07, Lebron and even Wade of last year. Jordan his whole career played in a structured offensive system. The only year I'd say he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe and Wade would be the season he played point and averaged 32/8/8.

are you trying to pretend Kobe is anywhere as close to as ball dominant as Wade...Kobe even in his 35 ppg season was less ball dominant then any of Wade's prime years.

[Tha Catalyst]

Not in a bad way but Lebron to me is the biggest ballhog in NBA history. Not that he is selfish or takes ill advised shots but my definition of ball hog is someone who absolutely dominates the ball, something that is Lebron's trademark. Nobody in NBA history holds the ball for the amount that Lebron has for the past couple of seasons. If by ball hog you mean a selfish player who tries to do too much themselves I would have to say AI.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Sounds like you should take your own advice and watch Jordan pre-Phil and pre-Pippen becoming all-star. There's nothing wrong with him shooting, it was what was needed, but the idea that he was less ball dominant from '86-'89 than Lebron this/last year is comedy. And he did it on far inferior teams while not retaining the level of team chemistry that Lebron does. You don't shoot more than any player in the last 30 years, along with 12 FTAs a game and 5-6 assists without becoming a ball hog. Jordan did however probably act quicker than Lebron does, which may add to the illusion.

Jordan easily - EASILY - had the ball in his hands far less than Lebron (in terms of clock time) every season from '85-'90 (and especially '85 and '88-'90) save for a 25 game stretch in 1989 where he played PG (and put up 29.6 pts/9.3 reb/10.4 ast). It's you who needs to go rewatch those games.

[Splitz77]

that black guy.

[plowking]

Sounds like you should take your own advice and watch Jordan pre-Phil and pre-Pippen becoming all-star. There's nothing wrong with him shooting, it was what was needed, but the idea that he was less ball dominant from '86-'89 than Lebron this/last year is comedy. And he did it on far inferior teams while not retaining the level of team chemistry that Lebron does. You don't shoot more than any player in the last 30 years, along with 12 FTAs a game and 5-6 assists without becoming a ball hog. Jordan did however probably act quicker than Lebron does, which may add to the illusion.

Read the thread. I mentioned the only time he came near the ball dominance of each of the current three best players is during the 87-90 run, though even then, not close.

No there is no illusion, Lebron simply has more of the ball to work with. Get over it. You making 1 nice Jordan thread every 6 months doesn't take away from your clear agenda against him and your obvious hate.

[DC Zephyrs]

1. Early Wilt
.
.
.
.
2. Iverson

[plowking]

are you trying to pretend Kobe is anywhere as close to as ball dominant as Wade...Kobe even in his 35 ppg season was less ball dominant then any of Wade's prime years.

Yeah, he clearly was...

Kobe wasn't coming off screens like Rip Hamilton. He was catching it off the wing and working one on one, or one on two...

[Disaprine]

http://stuffiranianslike.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/magic_johnson_lakers_8x10_mid.jpg

[iggy>]

When people say BALL HOG, I immediately think of Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan.
when you shoot 50% for a whole season, you are not a ball hog. iverson on the other hand...

[magnax1]

Jordan, AI, most of the best point guards ever, Kobe, Lebron, Hakeem (probably the worst, and one of the reasons he didn't win as much with more talented teams) They weren't selfish, but they had the ball in their hands nonstop.

[DCL]

definitely manute bol. ever see him at the 3 point line? he ain't passing it back if he catches the rock over there.

[Bigsmoke]

shit i dont know. Dominique Wilkins?

[Shih508]

Kobe could make the list at times. For example in 2001 when he started off the season trying to be the number 1 option, despite having a player who was better than him on the team. The Lakers struggled to start the season before Shaq started getting more touches. Another example is 2003 when he takes 27 shots per game, shoots 43% and the Lakers lose to the Spurs in 6, despite Shaq averaged 25/14/3/3 on 55% shooting. Then in the 2004 finals he averages 22.5 points on 22.5 shots and 38% shooting while Shaq averaged 27 points on 16.6 shots and 63% shooting. The amount of shots Kobe was taking throughout this season as well, even when he was injured also could qualify him.



BALL HOG = SELFISH = KOBE BRYANT!

[TAZORAC]

Ball hog = does not pass when he should = Al Harrington


I agree with your definition.

Now to everybody claiming that Michael Jordan wasn't a ball hog, he was a ball hog. Jordan had SO MANY SHOTS DURING HIS CAREER of falling down and still throwing up a shot, throwing up shots with his back towards the basketball, its just sometimes they went in.

[RazorBaLade]

CONGA CASHHHHHHH

Youu gotta admit, Mbenga is probably gonna shoot it if he gets it. Those 15 ft J's are smooth, though.

[madmax]

I agree with your definition.

Now to everybody claiming that Michael Jordan wasn't a ball hog, he was a ball hog. Jordan had SO MANY SHOTS DURING HIS CAREER of falling down and still throwing up a shot, throwing up shots with his back towards the basketball, its just sometimes they went in.
Bingo:applause: Finally someone with a basketball brain understands the definition of a "ballhog"...on the other hand, how is Lebron a ballhog, when he's one of the most unselfish and team oriented superstars of all time? Just because he holds the ball more than some of the others? Naah, that's a bad assumption fellas...Lebron is liked by all his teammates, because he CREATES for them and his ego doesn't interfere here. Jordan, Kobe on the other hand:lol ...mmm, yeah

[GOBB]

:oldlol: Someone with a brain? Wow. The kid said MJ is a ball hog because he took alot of shots and somehow they just went in. Awesome insight. How can one argue? You kids have zero concept of what a ball hog is. Doubt you even watched MJ in his career.

[Roundball_Rock]

education lesson. First of all MJ was never a ball hog all his points came in the flow of the game in a structured system know as the legendary Triangle offense.

Why was that structured system even necessary? Hint: it was implemented because one guy "wouldn't let go of the ball."

Here are the top 10 all-time in percentage of a team's possessions consumed:

Rank Player Usg%

1. Michael Jordan* 33.26
2. Dwyane Wade 32.63
3. LeBron James 31.85
4. Allen Iverson 31.83
5. Kobe Bryant 31.29
6. Carmelo Anthony 31.02
7. George Gervin* 30.68
8. Tracy McGrady 30.45
9. Dominique Wilkins* 30.27
10. Shaquille O'Neal 29.66

Yeah, but AI was the biggest ballhog ever. :rolleyes: Focusing exclusively on FG % is odd for anyone who watches basketball. There are three pointers and free throws. The bottom line is even when AI shot 39% in 02' he generated 1.11 points per shot.

As for as FGA per game, the all-time leader is once again Jordan. The thing is all these people are invoking MJ's FG %. He shot an even higher percentage in the 80's when his, um, "ball dominance" was even more of a problem for the team. Plus, this assumes Jordan would shot less on poor shooting nights. Of course, as we know, or should know, Jordan would sometimes do things like shoot 33% and yet take 30 shots.


aah, that's a bad assumption fellas...Lebron is liked by all his teammates, because he CREATES for them and his ego doesn't interfere here. Jordan, Kobe on the other hand ...mmm, yeah

:applause:

Even Charles Oakley, Jordan's friend and ex-teammate, called him a ballhog after he left Chicago. What does that tell you?

[Killuminati90]

Why was that structured system even necessary? Hint: it was implemented because one guy "wouldn't let go of the ball."

Here are the top 10 all-time in percentage of a team's possessions consumed:

Rank Player Usg%

1. Michael Jordan* 33.26
2. Dwyane Wade 32.63
3. LeBron James 31.85
4. Allen Iverson 31.83
5. Kobe Bryant 31.29
6. Carmelo Anthony 31.02
7. George Gervin* 30.68
8. Tracy McGrady 30.45
9. Dominique Wilkins* 30.27
10. Shaquille O'Neal 29.66

Yeah, but AI was the biggest ballhog ever. :rolleyes: Focusing exclusively on FG % is odd for anyone who watches basketball. There are three pointers and free throws. The bottom line is even when AI shot 39% in 02' he generated 1.11 points per shot.

As for as FGA per game, the all-time leader is once again Jordan. The thing is all these people are invoking MJ's FG %. He shot an even higher percentage in the 80's when his, um, "ball dominance" was even more of a problem for the team. Plus, this assumes Jordan would shot less on poor shooting nights. Of course, as we know, or should know, Jordan would sometimes do things like shoot 33% and yet take 30 shots.



:applause:

Even Charles Oakley, Jordan's friend and ex-teammate, called him a ballhog after he left Chicago. What does that tell you?

Lets say he was a ball-hog (which I dont totally agree)...does it make things different? If he was the most talented player of his time its normal to accept he could have the ball the mayority of the time. You talk about MJ being a ballhog like this made him underachieve...guy won 6 f*cking chips dude, nobody cares if he was a ballhog or not. He achieved greatness.

[PianoMan]

Shannon brown and Bynum

[Roundball_Rock]

nobody cares if he was a ballhog or not

Except two of his coaches, his teammates, his GM, etc...fortunately the triangle was instituted, over Jordan's opposition, to allow for some ball movement and the rest is history.

Jordan was always the most talented playmaker on the Bulls, right? His fans here talk about him as Magic Johnson-lite as a passer. So why wasn't he given the same role Lebron is as his team's primary scorer and playmaker? The answer is in order to make plays you need more than talent. You need to pass the ball. Lebron is a willing passer and can function in those dual roles. There is a reason Jackson did not give that role to Jordan.

[Toni]

Sergei Berezin. Biggest puck hog in NHL history.

http://image53.webshots.com/53/4/74/25/429847425JuKwOQ_ph.jpg

[Desperado]

Jordan.

led the league in FGA's a record 9 times!

His first 3 seasons with Chicago he averaged over 26 FG attempts per game....all 3 seasons were LOSING (below .500).

He had Doug Collins Fired in 1987 because Collins wanted him to pass more and shoot less....in fact MJ often feuded with teammates who took shots instead of passing him the ball....just ask Bill Cartwright.

[Alhazred]

Jordan.

led the league in FGA's a record 9 times!

His first 3 seasons with Chicago he averaged over 26 FG attempts per game....all 3 seasons were LOSING (below .500).

He had Doug Collins Fired in 1987 because Collins wanted him to pass more and shoot less....in fact MJ often feuded with teammates who took shots instead of passing him the ball....just ask Bill Cartwright.

Really now? You sure about that?

[chitownsfinest]

Jordan.

led the league in FGA's a record 9 times!

His first 3 seasons with Chicago he averaged over 26 FG attempts per game....all 3 seasons were LOSING (below .500).

He had Doug Collins Fired in 1987 because Collins wanted him to pass more and shoot less....in fact MJ often feuded with teammates who took shots instead of passing him the ball....just ask Bill Cartwright.
No you dumbass, the whole team did not like collins and wanted him out. They were open about it too. Jordan actually didn't actively participate in the campaign to get rid of Collins, but he didn't like the guy either.

[gotbacon23]

Rank Player Usg%

1. Michael Jordan* 33.26
2. Dwyane Wade 32.63
3. LeBron James 31.85
4. Allen Iverson 31.83
5. Kobe Bryant 31.29
6. Carmelo Anthony 31.02
7. George Gervin* 30.68
8. Tracy McGrady 30.45
9. Dominique Wilkins* 30.27
10. Shaquille O'Neal 29.66




freeman williams finished his career at 31.2%... not sure why he isn't on your list

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willifr01.html

his career high of 34.6% was topped by MJ twice in a season only (not counting jordan's 2nd season with the broken foot) but i would argue that he is the biggest ball hog... he had almost the same usage rate, had assists much less frequently than MJ (1 for every 8 fg/a versus 1 or every 4.5 fg/a for MJ) and actually on a per-minute basis shot more frequently than MJ (22.9 fga/ 36 minutes versus 21.5 for MJ for their careers).

[BlueandGold]

Jordan, Kobe and AI definitely are the first names that come in mind. Bynum needs to the ball a surprising amount for a center.

[bada bing]

AI, Kobe at times when he decides to be an idiot, zach randolph are the ones that come to mind right away.

[Da_Realist]

Except two of his coaches, his teammates, his GM, etc...fortunately the triangle was instituted, over Jordan's opposition, to allow for some ball movement and the rest is history.

Jordan was always the most talented playmaker on the Bulls, right? His fans here talk about him as Magic Johnson-lite as a passer. So why wasn't he given the same role Lebron is as his team's primary scorer and playmaker? The answer is in order to make plays you need more than talent. You need to pass the ball. Lebron is a willing passer and can function in those dual roles. There is a reason Jackson did not give that role to Jordan.

None of the Bulls wanted the triangle in the beginning -- including Pippen. Juju posted an article here on ISH where Pip admitted it himself.

Why didn't PJ give MJ that same role? First of all, because PJ understood that to win, especially back then, the whole team needed to be involved in the offense. Ball movement and off the ball movement was key back then. This is obvious to any one that actually wants to watch a few games from back then. The best teams had more depth and they had more ball movement. Today you can get away with Lebron's style a lot easier than you could back then. And secondly, why run MJ into the ground when you have another player that could take over that role? MJ's off the ball movement was fantastic so he didn't need the ball in his hands to be productive. Put a Pippen-like player on Lebron's team and Lebron would need to adjust to not having the ball so much.

Also, MJ's passing was underrated, as some has noted. Watch a few games from 88, 89 or 90 (right before Pippen took over much more of a ball handling role) and you'll see for yourself. The only reason MJ's assists dropped was due more to sharing the ball with Pippen and his teammates than an unwillingness to pass the ball.

[mmsupra]

ISH

[Manute for Ever!]

Jordan.

led the league in FGA's a record 9 times!

His first 3 seasons with Chicago he averaged over 26 FG attempts per game....all 3 seasons were LOSING (below .500).

He had Doug Collins Fired in 1987 because Collins wanted him to pass more and shoot less....in fact MJ often feuded with teammates who took shots instead of passing him the ball....just ask Bill Cartwright.

I'm glad you acknowledged the fact that he only played 18 games in the second season, meaning he missed a total of 64 . Don't pick and choose information to support your argument.