I'm going to have to say I hate Pau Gasol, Jarrett Jack, Ike Diogu, and Ricky Davis. I also think Kevin Garnett is kind of a douche.
That's not what I mind.... ...what I mind was a little exaggeration on the whole "injury" crap, that and his antics over the summer with what he said. Before all that, I actually liked him cause of how he stuck by the Celtics through all the crap years, and STILL being there.
Pierce was actually one of my favorite players, before last year of course. Anyways: Kevin Garnett (he's a douche, like Artest says, he wilds out, acts a fool when his team's winning, when his team is losing, he doesn't say a thing) Kwame Brown (cannot stand him after the crap he pulled with the Lakers) Chucky Atkins (same as above) Raja Bell (tinker bell) Anderson Varajeo (super duper flopper, I HATE him, plus he's ugly) Manu Ginobli (super duper flopper, same as above except unlike Varajeo, he can actually play) Smush Parker (no explanation is needed)
This could be entertaining... LeBron James - I feel no reason to explain... Joakim Noah - I realize I'm a Bulls fan...but I hated him in college and I hated the pick. Plus he's ugly. Bruce Bowen - Can you say dirty? Steve Nash - Can't say I've ever liked him... That's really the short list...I'm sure I could think of more, but I choose not to for the time being.
I vaguely recall this conversation before, but why on earth would you dislike Steve Nash? He's friendly, smart, humble, a gym rat, and his offensive skills are amazing. And even though he isn't a good defensive player, he works hard on that end (one of the leaders in charges-drawn, for instance). It's difficult for me to think of a more likable NBA player.
Yeah how can you hate Nash? In addition to all the things durvasa said, he's nice to the media and fans. Here's my list: Rick Fox - He always spent too much time lying on the hardwood after taking a hit, get your lazy ass up and play the game! Bowen and Ginobili- 'Nuff said. Yao Ming - Has to be the softest most overrated player of all time! He should average 30 and 15 every year. Shows no real emotion and is absolutely not clutch.
My dislike for Nash stems from a couple things. I've never liked a single team he's played for. In fact, Phoenix and Dallas have always been two of my least favorite teams in the NBA, and it's really tough for me to like players on teams I hate. Secondly, I think he's terribly overrated and hate the fact that he's a two time MVP, while players like Shaq, who dominated for over a decade and was arguably the best player in the league for that time, has only won it once. Also, until he went to Phoenix, I never recall anyone calling him the best PG in the NBA. All the sudden he goes there and he becomes the best thing since sliced bread. So really, it's nothing against him per se, it's the teams he's played on and the fact that the media has made him out to be one of the darlings of the NBA, and that annoys the life out of me. That's a big reason why I dislike LeBron, too.
Well look at Shaq's competition. Jordan, Malone, Hakeem, Barkley, and Robinson for his first few years. Then for the rest of his prime he was competing with Duncan, Garnett, etc. Not to mention that there was always someone else who could have a good year (Kidd) and make it less likely for Shaq to win it. Besides, it was hard for people to even decide who was the most important player on the Lakers, let alone give Shaq an MVP. That's because he wasn't, but he fit in really well in Phoenix. Kind of like how Marbury was a top pg while there and now he isn't anymore.
I guess I can understand being frustrated when certain players are over-hyped by the media, or overrated by fans. And I might agree that's the case with Nash and Yao. Though Yao has been underrated by a large segment of the NBA fanbase/media as well (typified by Jurassic's comments above, with his totally unrealistic though common expectation that a slow, unathletic 7'6 center is supposed to average 30/15 in today's NBA). But for me that doesn't translate into disliking the individual player. Particular with Nash and Yao, you have two of the most likable personalities in all of pro-sports.
Is it really all that unrealistic? There was a time when Tmac was injured and Yao was averaging 38 ppg for a significant stretch of time. Dont try to make it seem like him being tall hurts his game, lol. There is a difference between Yao Ming and Shawn Bradley. Yao has the skills and footwork, but he is too nice and not aggressive enough. Besides, who else on the Rockets grabs a ton of boards? If KG can do it why can't Yao? Yao was used to shooting 75% fg in China and came to the L and got a rude awakening. He has not taken necessary steps to improve his game or durability. He is largely overrated. You can't compare Yao to Nash (someone who actually makes others better), that's absurd.
So ... because Yao was able to raise his game and score 30+ points multiple times when McGrady gets hurt, all of a sudden he sucks because he can't average that for a season? I just don't see any sense in that. Having some offensive skill and footwork isn't enough to average 30/15 in this league. Yao isn't built like a normal NBA player except for height. His physical limitations are well known to people that follow the Rockets closely. Frankly, your suggestion that Yao is lazy says quite a lot of your ignorance on this matter. One thing no one can deny, based on testimony from this coaches/teammates, is how much work and dedication Yao puts into his craft. If there is one quality that he's praised for by people around him, it's not his size or skill but his work ethic. But the fact remains that a man of his size and proportions simply can not move with the quickness and agility of your typical NBA athlete. He shouldn't be faulted for that. I never compared Yao's game to Nash; I compared their personalities. And if don't see how Yao has improved his game and stamina since entering the league, you evidently have not been following the Rockets very much. And I'm not sure what Yao's durability has to do with anything. He doesn't get injured because of laziness or irresponsibility. He gets injured because he pushes himself to his physical limits. Edit: Ok, you didn't say he was lazy ... maybe I misinterpreted your comments. Yao natural physical limitations often make him look like he's not being "aggressive". For instance, when it takes a player a good while longer than anyone else to jump off the floor, and so does a layup instead of a dunk, that can easily be mistaken for lack of aggression.
I never said that he was lazy, first off. And NO! Yao has absolutely not taken steps to improve his stamina. The past 3 seasons he has played less than 60 games! He averages 32mpg on his CAREER. Do you realize that means that he plays less than 3/4 of the game! That is absolutely ridiculous, especially when Mutombo is his backup. There is nothing that you can say to justify that. And no, it has nothing to do with the Rocket's "system" so don't even try that one. Also he turns the ball over too damn much for someone his position. Just to give you an idea, he turns the ball over MORE than Chris Paul and Tony Parker, an almost identical amount to Steve Nash, and barely less than Kidd and Deron Williams. Those are arguably the top 5 pgs in the L, and a CENTER has a high career turnover average than them? I actually do know quite a bit about the Rockets, as Tmac is one of my favorites. Obviously these numbers speak for themselves. Yao is vastly overrated, and does not have this supposed stamina you are talking about. There are plenty of players who "push themselves to the physical limit, yet still play all year.
The first 3-4 years of Yao's career, he would get visibly exhausted after played 6-8 minutes in a stretch. He has improved considerably in that regard in recent years, to where he can play more than a quarter at a stretch without being exhausted. This improvement is well known amongst Rockets fans, and even league-wide (you here commentators make this remark often in national games, correctly). You talk about Yao not improving his stamina, but then you resort to career averages about minutes played. Brilliant. And what does Yao's injuries have to do with lack of improvement in stamina? Nothing. Anyways, this thread is about naming players we hate, not defending them. So, I'll stop at this point.
