Kristian Ferrell
The term hogs in basketball refers to players who are known for being ball hogs, or players who tend to take a lot of shots, use a lot of possessions, and rarely pass the ball. Various players throughout NBA history have been labelled as ball hogs, including Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Kobe Bryant. Statistical rankings are sometimes used to identify the biggest ball hogs in the league, taking into account factors such as usage percentage, assist percentage, and true shooting percentage. These rankings are often subjective and depend on various factors, such as the player's position and the average stats of other players in similar positions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | February 2022 |
| Biggest Ball Hog | Memphis big man Jaren Jackson Jr. |
| Biggest Ball Hog's Usage Rate | 25.7% |
| Biggest Ball Hog's Assist % | 5.6% |
| Average Assist % for bigs in the rankings | 17.1% |
| Players who are the least ball hoggish this season | Nikola Jokic, Josh Giddey, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Jimmy Butler |
| Hornets' Kelly Oubre Jr's Assist Percentage | 6% |
| Average Assist Percentage for wing players | 14.6% |
| Hornets' Kelly Oubre Jr's True Shooting % | 52.2% |
| Average True Shooting % for wing players | 56.7% |
| Top 6 ball hogs rookies | Bennedict Mathurin, Tari Eason, Jalen Smith |
| Biggest Ball Hog in NBA History | Carmelo Anthony |
| Other Ball Hogs in NBA History | Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Kobe, MJ, Ricky Davis, Marbury, Pistol Pete, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chuck, Bob McAdoo |
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What You'll Learn
Who are the Arkansas Razorbacks?
The Arkansas Razorbacks are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The name comes from the state's official nickname, "The Razorback State," which is in reference to a type of wild boar that is common in the region. The Razorbacks field 19 varsity teams in 13 sports and compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The Razorbacks have a strong tradition in men's basketball, with a history dating back to the early 20th century. The team has won numerous conference championships and has made regular appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a national championship in 1994. The Razorbacks have also produced several notable players who have gone on to successful careers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), such as former point guard Patrick Beverley, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
In addition to men's basketball, the Arkansas Razorbacks have a strong presence in other sports, including baseball, track and field, and football. The baseball team has a rich history, having won multiple conference championships and produced several Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The track and field program is also well-renowned, with both men's and women's teams consistently ranking among the top programs in the nation.
The Arkansas Razorbacks have a passionate fan base and are known for their distinctive red and black colours, as well as their mascot, Tusk the Razorback. The team's home arena, Bud Walton Arena, is often packed with enthusiastic fans, creating an intense and exciting atmosphere for both players and spectators alike.
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How to identify a ball hog
The term "ball hog" in basketball is used to describe a player who handles the ball too frequently and is reluctant to pass it to their teammates. This behaviour usually has a detrimental impact on the team because the player in question takes too many difficult shots, even if other teammates have better shooting opportunities. A ball hog can be identified by their high usage rate, low assist percentage, and poor shooting percentage.
In statistical terms, a ball hog is a player with an above-average usage rate (above 20%), who shoots poorly and rarely assists. For example, in February 2022, Memphis player Jaren Jackson Jr. was considered the biggest ball hog in the NBA, with a high usage rate of 25.7% and the lowest assist percentage of all qualified big men at 5.6%.
However, it is important to note that the term "ball hog" is typically viewed as negative, and in amateur and children's basketball, monopolizing the ball is often seen as unsportsmanlike behaviour. Nevertheless, in professional leagues, when a highly skilled player takes control of the ball a significant amount of the time, but it benefits the team due to their high shot percentage, low turnover rate, and the absence of similarly skilled teammates, they are usually not labelled as a ball hog.
Additionally, there are instances where a player's ball-hogging tendencies do not hinder their team's success. For instance, despite being labelled a ball hog, Bryant helped lead the Lakers to five championships.
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The NBA's biggest ball hogs
The NBA's ball hogs—players who are always looking to shoot and rarely to pass—have been a fixture of the league for decades. While some players are able to strike a balance between their scoring and playmaking abilities, others have a reputation for being greedy with the ball.
In recent years, Memphis's Jaren Jackson Jr. has consistently been ranked as one of the NBA's biggest ball hogs. In February 2022, he had a high usage rate of 25.7% and the lowest assist percentage of all qualified big men at 5.6%. Jackson Jr.'s shooting efficiency is also low, with only Julius Randle shooting worse among qualified big men. Other players mentioned in the same conversation as Jackson Jr. include Kelly Oubre Jr., Gary Trent Jr., and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Historically, several players have been labelled as ball hogs, including Hall of Famers Pistol Pete and Allen Iverson, as well as Kobe Bryant. Corey Magette, known for his high-volume scoring, has even earned the nickname "The Black Hole" from fans. Bob McAdoo, despite being a 2-time NBA Champion and 5-time NBA All-Star, was also known for his ball-hogging habits, taking 22.6 shots per game during his career.
While some players may have a reputation for being ball hogs, it's worth noting that their playing style and success on the court are subjective and depend on a variety of factors, including their teammates and the era in which they played.
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Ball hogs in history
The term "ball hog" in basketball refers to a player who is greedy with the ball, taking a lot of shots and using a lot of possessions without passing the ball to their teammates. While some players are labelled ball hogs due to their high number of shots and low assist percentages, others are excused due to their high scoring averages and positive impact on their team's performance.
One of the most well-known ball hogs in NBA history is Kobe Bryant, who was known for his high volume shooting and tendency to take the shot himself even when heavily guarded. Similarly, Allen Iverson, Pistol Pete, and Corey Maggette have all been labelled as ball hogs throughout their careers.
In recent years, players like Kelly Oubre Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., Jamal Crawford, Carmelo Anthony, and DeRozan have been called out for their ball-hogging ways. While some of these players have had high scoring averages and strong individual performances, their low assist percentages and tendency to dominate the ball have led to criticism from fans and analysts.
However, it's worth noting that ball-hogging can be a successful strategy in certain cases. For example, while Kevin Durant leads the league in points per game, his teammate Russell Westbrook has the freedom to put up a high volume of shots, resulting in a successful tandem for their team. Similarly, Carmelo Anthony's high usage percentage and low assist percentage have contributed to the New York Knicks' improved offensive performance, bringing them to new heights.
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The least ball hoggish players
The least ball-hogging players in the NBA are those who are willing to share the ball and shoot less frequently. A ball hog is a player with an above-average usage rate (above 20%) who shoots poorly and rarely passes.
In February 2022, the least ball-hogging players in the NBA were Nikola Jokic, Josh Giddey, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Jimmy Butler. All of these players are multi-time All-Stars, proving that sharing the ball can lead to personal success as well as team success.
LeBron James, for example, is considered by many fans to be the most overrated player in the league, but his incredible physical attributes and graceful movement have taken him to four consecutive NBA finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning one championship.
In December 2022, James Harden, Domantas Sabonis, and Pascal Siakam joined Jokic and James on the list of least ball-hogging players.
The Hornets' Kelly Oubre Jr. was named the biggest ball hog in December 2022, with a low assist percentage and a poor true shooting percentage.
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Frequently asked questions
The Hogs is a nickname for the Arkansas Razorbacks, a college basketball team. In 2022, the team was ranked 10th in the NCAA Tournament and went on to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years.
In the NBA, the term "Hogs" is not used, but "ball hogs" refer to players who frequently take shots and hold on to the ball without passing. In February 2022, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis team was ranked as the biggest ball hog.
A "ball hog" is a player who frequently takes shots, uses a lot of possessions, and rarely passes the ball. They are usually not low-post players or primary ball-handlers on their team.
Notable "ball hogs" in the NBA include Kelly Oubre Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, and Kevin Durant.
