Kobe "Ballhog" Bryant

Kobe "Ballhog" Bryant

Okay, it seems as if every game we LOSE, I hear comments about Kobe being a ballhog...whether it's on SportsCenter, FOX Sports, the local news, or on the internet. Well, it's about time for me to put this to rest.

First, we'll take a few players and the percentage of shots they take in relation to the rest of the team.

Tim Duncan - 22% of the Spurs' shot attempts
Kevin Garnett - 22%
LeBron James - 24%
Allen Iverson - 26%
Ray Allen - 24%
Tracy McGrady - 24%
Kobe Bryant - 27%

Now, with the exception of Allen Iverson, each of these players have a better supporting cast than that of the Lakers. You can argue that Kobe is shooting poorly, but that gets into another debate and has absolutely nothing to do with how many shots he takes, because, with the poor supporting cast...Kobe still leads every player listed in assists (tied with Iverson).

Now, let's take the Christmas game for example. I know everyone watched it...so what happened in the first quarter? Kobe was hot. He hit 4 threes and scored 15 points (if I remember right). The Lakers looked like gold in the first quarter. In the second? In the third? They had the lead for all three quarters, actually. When Kobe stopped scoring, the Lakers would lose ground. This is obvious in overtime...when Lamar Odom scored all 8 points, but the Lakers still lost.

In fact, talk to Lamar Odom about the supporting cast.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Somebody else is going to have to make plays," Odom said.</div>
Teammates are going to have to give Kobe dependable backup in close games, which is funny, actually...the Lakers have held their own against the Suns and the Sonics, avoiding blowouts, and coming close to pulling off a victory until the final quarter. Spurs, anyone?

Let's talk about turnovers. Kobe had nine yesterday against the Heat. One was off a misdirected pass to Chris Mihm, who was late getting to the pass after Kobe drew Shaq towards the perimeter. One was a beautifully thrown pass to an open Mihm for a dunk, but Chris fumbled the ball and lost it out of bounds. Another one? This time, a pass that seemed to hit Mihm in the chest before it was snatched and stolen. The best thing about Shaq was his presence and...soft hands. Shaq could catch half-court oops with one hand. However, Mihm's hands are made of stone...thus causing three turnovers just off him yesterday. I have the tape...it's there. I'd name off the others, two were off bad decisions by Kobe (getting caught in mid-air) and there were a couple of others that were good passes, but were fumbled as well. Why trust Mihm when he can't hang onto the ball? Lack of trust...for Kobe...but maybe there's obvious reason behind it.

We'll talk coaching. Rudy T is going to run this offense through Kobe. That's the obvious choice...any coach in the league would do that with this team. Let's think back to Rudy's days in Houston...what was a key to the Rockets' success (other than the MDE)? That's right...other than Hakeem, it was the three. "Rudy Three" had Sam Cassell, Mario Elie, Kenny Smith, and Robert Horry all hitting from the arc...and it was so good, but so nasty...that they took home two consecutive championships because of it. What does this have to do with Kobe being a "ballhog" then? Well...Kobe has to create for himself as well as other teammates...because we all know that Atkins isn't doing his job as a PG. When Kobe sees Jumaine Jones open, or Brian Cook open...it's an automatic three for Rudy...and he'll call it in the corner every time. If they miss, it's Kobe's fault. If Kobe keeps the ball, he's going to follow orders and hit the three, or drive and draw the foul. In other words, the Lakers are trying to live by the three...and so far, the only team that can do that is the Sonics...not Los Angeles...and taking a forced three pointer looks much worse than taking a mid-range jumper. Yet another reason to call Kobe a ballhog.

How about Kobe off the ball? I dare someone...anyone...to come in here and give me a few times where Odom has held the ball and found Kobe cutting for a dunk. Not on a fast break...but any other time. How about Atkins? How many assists are thrown in Kobe's direction? None. When Shaq was in purple and gold, how many passes were connected from him to Kobe? More than those from Mihm to Kobe. Funny thing is, Kobe is leading this team in assists by a far margin...and he's not even the PG. He's the best defender, the best scorer, the best passer, the best playmaker...he's the backbone of this Laker squad who are still a couple of games above .500 in the Western Conference, and are the 7th seed in the playoffs. He's 5th in assists, leading all SG's with the exception of Wade (who was a PG for the first 10 games or so)...he's being picked apart by how many turnovers he has, with more than 80% of them coming from either bad passes or good passes...but he's a ballhog.

Kobe "Ballhog" Bryant.

 

its hard to judge kobe in relation to "ballhog or not a ballhog". Stats show he has alot of assists. And sure its hard to think of times when Odom's hit Kobe or anyone else to Kobe. It does happen though, you might not remember it as much but it happens...they get some assists per game as well. But even with his 8 assists per game you have to see that he is a PG. Plays run through him, he calls them...he's the one either doing a 1on1 move or passing off when the defence collapses. And the plays the call are usually... "Mihm screen for Odom, odom flair to wing, kobe to Odom, Atkins screen for Kobe, Kobe cut to basket, Odom pass to Kobe, Kobe do a quick move or a pull up jumper". He's the PG, SG, and SF in one.
Iverson is a ballhog. Kobe is a ballhog. Both of them get alot of assists just because they've got the ball in their hands so much. I'd bet any money that Kobe has the ball at least 5% more per game then the next guy, who would probably be Iverson, then Garnett.
Also the term "ballhog" only applies if his actions are detrimental to the team. Jordan shot the ball as much or more than Kobe, but Kobe IS NOT Jordan. Garnett takes alot the of shots too, so does Lebron. But look how much more effective they are with their shots. Personally if i had a player that was shooting 25 shots per game and only making 9 or 10 i'd force him to cut his shot total down to 16 or 18.

In my opinion Kobe does 3 things all game long.
1) Iso and do a 1on1 move for the pull-up jumper, fadeaway or drive
2) Do 10 seconds worth of shake and bake and then hit the open Odom or Butler for th e assist. (caused more by Odom's and Butlers ability to get open then Kobe's playmaking)
3) Play with the ball on the wing for 15 seconds, driving, getting doubled...still trying to shoot...still doubled...no shot available..still trying to shoot then
a) take a horrible awkward shot and get the call cause hes "Kobe Bryant" or
pass to a teammate with 3 seconds left on the clock so they have to chuck up a shot.

The lakers have the pieces to be a very good team in the West....better than 7th. Odom is invaluable, Butler can be great if used properly, Mihm is an above average center even in the West and Grant can bang and pull down rebounds. I dont think they'll finish 7th though, unless Kobe gets the other guys more involved in the offence with alot more plays called for Butler and Odom i see the Lakers finishing out of the playoffs. Utah wont continue this slide forever. Houstons starting to pick up the pace and have the pieces to succeed. And Denver is loaded and will make a strong push sometime in the near future i think. I think all 3 of those teams have a better chance of the playoffs, so even if portland dives out the playoff race, still puts the lakers in 10th.

thats where i see them finishing

 

Whoa, hold your fire. First off, Kobe is not the PG. Otherwise, he'd be playing defense against Gilbert Arenas, Steve Nash and Steve Francis. Offensively, you don't see the PG doing what Kobe does.

That's exactly right about Kobe playing three spots on the court. That's exactly right about him having the ball more than anyone else. Why does that make him a ballhog? If he's gotta hold the ball and take the shot, he's going to because it just can't be done any other way in LA right now. If you were to put him in, say, Tim Duncan's place, Kobe would have PLENTY of options, and not a single person would ever call him a ballhog.

And just for future reference, Kobe is shooting 21 attempts per game...which is around the exact same he's shot even through the three-peat...even though Shaq is gone, Kobe isn't trying to take over the ball like everyone believes.

 

You know, I think it's because Kobe is the leader of the Lakers now and he has a lot of die hard fans that believe that Kobe is invincible. I'm not pointing to specific members of JBB or anything so please don't tell me "Look i never said Kobe was invincible" cuz if you did, you'd know what you said yourself. Now, when you win 3 championships, you are opt to get a lot of attentions and have a lot of arrogant, diehard fans fed up with PRIDE. And they'll do their best to prove everyone that "My favorite player is better than yours". Maybe kobe bashing isn't toward Kobe himself, but towards his fans bragging about their favorite player and his rings. People rooting for other players have a chance to bash Kobe and his fans when the Lakers lose so the fans will shut up. And now, everytime Lakers play, all eyes will be on Kobe because Kobe is always always the man to go to when the game is on. So he has to either take the blame or take the glory for either the Lakers' L or W. He's an easy target. I truly think that Kobe is the best guard right now and one of the best in NBA history and maybe there will be no "next Kobe". He's that good but he can't win all the games. I'm not a fan of Kobe. I don;t know why. Maybe it's because of the attitude of his fans who only make me dislike him more. But I respect him so much tho and many times I wish he played for the HEAT too. Anyways, my point is that Lakers is in the palm of Kobe's hand. When they win, Kobe silences all the critics and anti-kobe crowd. But remember, he's not 100% from field. He's gonna miss some shots and that's gonna cost the Lakers a game. And that's when the critics step in and call Kobe "ballhog" or any other name that they can come up with. I don't know if Kobe's a ballhog looking at the comparison. People have to understand the load Kobe's carrying on his back. He has to take more shots and so far, his FG% is down, but the Kobe we know, regardless of his FG%, he's one dangerous guy on the court.

 

The problem doesn't lie in Kobe not involving his teammates in the offense. Rather, its the offense not involving the teammates.

Think about it.

This offense is designed to give Kobe the ball. Like civic said, Kobe is basically playing PG, SG and SF. (Remember how MJ played before Scottie came into town?)

Rudy T needs to find a way to get Odom more involved. He's a tremendous talent that right now is being wasted. Odom is being forced to play without the ball way too much.

Look at the two games that Odom was given the green light, the Kings game and yesterday's game...we spanked the Kings and we kept the game close against an elite team.

Odom needs to be given the green light. Give him half of the "ballhogging" duties and this Laker team will thrive.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mel JBB:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem doesn't lie in Kobe not involving his teammates in the offense. Rather, its the offense not involving the teammates.

Think about it.

This offense is designed to give Kobe the ball. Like civic said, Kobe is basically playing PG, SG and SF. (Remember how MJ played before Scottie came into town?)

Rudy T needs to find a way to get Odom more involved. He's a tremendous talent that right now is being wasted. Odom is being forced to play without the ball way too much.

Look at the two games that Odom was given the green light, the Kings game and yesterday's game...we spanked the Kings and we kept the game close against an elite team.

Odom needs to be given the green light. Give him half of the "ballhogging" duties and this Laker team will thrive.</div>
Another good point about the coaching I failed to mention (but I did mention this in the "Changes" thread a while back). The offense is for Kobe...but Rudy T expects him to do way too much. It's okay every other game or so, but playing 48 minutes a night and running up and down the court constantly...it's going to wear and tear down ANY player in the league. If Kobe is only 85%, then it's worse on him.

Odom can be a 20+ PPG scorer...and maybe an All-Star in the future...but it's going to take more than just Kobe Bryant for the Lakers to win, no matter how incredible Kobe can perform.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">
That's exactly right about Kobe playing three spots on the court. That's exactly right about him having the ball more than anyone else. Why does that make him a ballhog? If he's gotta hold the ball and take the shot, he's going to because it just can't be done any other way in LA right now. If you were to put him in, say, Tim Duncan's place, Kobe would have PLENTY of options, and not a single person would ever call him a ballhog.</div>


See i think thats the scape goat of to many Kobe fans. The Lakers dont have the roster to compete for a championship because they dont have the big men or point gaurds. But most of all its cause they dont play like a team. Detroit didnt need starts, the Spurs only had Duncan. Bibby was just emerging, same as Ginobli. They won it cause they worked together. Even though Duncan was perhaps the best on the planet, you never got the feeling like it was all about Duncan like you do in LA. And Kobe likes that, of course he does. You can tell when you watch him play.
But the point is we were talking about how Kobe hogs the ball on offense. And you said...
"If you were to put him in, say, Tim Duncan's place, Kobe would have PLENTY of options, and not a single person would ever call him a ballhog."

If you ask me, while the Lakers dont have the coaching, the system, the role players or the defence to compete with the 2003 Spurs, they've got the offensive players plus some. Duncan wished he had a multipositional offensive monster like Odom. And Butler is as good an offensive player as any Duncan had. There's no excuse for why Kobe feels like he's gotta do everything. He's got the players, he just never uses them.
Almost everytime another Laker has a good scoring night you'll hear someone describe it has "quite", because they never get the opportunity to be the man. Even when a player is hot, like Odom on X-mas, they dont get the ball on offense. They only get points off Kobe misses, the odd Kobe assist, or a singular jump shot. And the points are always spread evenly throughout the game. Kobe wont let them take over the game like they can.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">See i think thats the scape goat of to many Kobe fans. The Lakers dont have the roster to compete for a championship because they dont have the big men or point gaurds. But most of all its cause they dont play like a team. Detroit didnt need starts, the Spurs only had Duncan. Bibby was just emerging, same as Ginobli. They won it cause they worked together. Even though Duncan was perhaps the best on the planet, you never got the feeling like it was all about Duncan like you do in LA. And Kobe likes that, of course he does. You can tell when you watch him play.</div>
You mentioned Detroit and the Spurs...who all have great teamwork. How long have these teams been together? Billups/Parker can find their man anywhere on the court because they know them much more. In another example...the Kidd/K-Mart connection was so great because they were forming chemistry each year, and it was only getting better...that is, until Kenyon put on a Nuggets jersey. Kobe is out there with four other unfamiliar faces...and Odom's only played alongside Butler...and Mihm with Atkins (talking about just the starting five). So when you're only familiar with one other teammate's game on the starting five, it doesn't help at all. It's been 25 games so far...

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">But the point is we were talking about how Kobe hogs the ball on offense. And you said...
"If you were to put him in, say, Tim Duncan's place, Kobe would have PLENTY of options, and not a single person would ever call him a ballhog."

If you ask me, while the Lakers dont have the coaching, the system, the role players or the defence to compete with the 2003 Spurs, they've got the offensive players plus some. Duncan wished he had a multipositional offensive monster like Odom. And Butler is as good an offensive player as any Duncan had. There's no excuse for why Kobe feels like he's gotta do everything. He's got the players, he just never uses them.</div>
See above. Again, the Spurs are an incredible team. Very incredible. They can work together because they know exactly how the next person plays. Everyone knows when Duncan needs the ball, when Manu will cut, or when Bowen wants the three. The Lakers can't get that chemistry in 25 games...and I can guarantee that NO team can. It took the Sonics a while, but now they're playing like gold.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">Almost everytime another Laker has a good scoring night you'll hear someone describe it has "quite", because they never get the opportunity to be the man. Even when a player is hot, like Odom on X-mas, they dont get the ball on offense. They only get points off Kobe misses, the odd Kobe assist, or a singular jump shot. And the points are always spread evenly throughout the game. Kobe wont let them take over the game like they can.</div>
You still say "odd Kobe assist" like it's rare, but it isn't. I still do not understand how an assist can be "odd" when it's being thrown 7.2 times a game. I hate to bring his name up again, but Jordan never averaged that many assists...in fact, go check his stats...he never broke 6 APG but once after the first championship (I believe). However, Jordan is known not only for his scoring, but for his sharing as well, and making teammates better. How do you overlook his assists? Was it because his teammates missed shots? I don't think so.

I seriously think that Kobe is an easy target to put the blame on. People will say, "Okay, he wanted it this way...he's screwing up." That's not good enough. Some will say that he shoots too much...but maybe there's more to it than just Kobe. I wonder if others believe that Rudy T is just a face...no mind...just calls timeouts and lets Kobe do the coaching...because that's not true.

The teammates love Kobe...they said it themselves (only one spoke out about it, and I'm sure it was Rush or Slava). Rudy T loves him. He takes them out to dinner, he went fishing with Cook...and now he's showing class by saying the Lakers and Heat played a great game, and so did Shaq. He took the blame for everything that has to do with the feud...but he's still being ripped. I guess there's no such thing as a second chance, really...and I guess that not only hurts your reputation as a great person, but as a great basketball player as well...for some reason.

 

I'm no Kobe Hater, but I don't think Jordan led the league in turnovers either (4.65pg), I think he's getting most of his assists when he's double teamed and he just throws it to the open man, who will finish giving him an assist, but I haven't seen many Laker games i've just heard alot of other people say this...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">You mentioned Detroit and the Spurs...who all have great teamwork. How long have these teams been together? Billups/Parker can find their man anywhere on the court because they know them much more. In another example...the Kidd/K-Mart connection was so great because they were forming chemistry each year, and it was only getting better...that is, until Kenyon put on a Nuggets jersey. Kobe is out there with four other unfamiliar faces...and Odom's only played alongside Butler...and Mihm with Atkins (talking about just the starting five). So when you're only familiar with one other teammate's game on the starting five, it doesn't help at all. It's been 25 games so far...</div>


25 games. probably 50 practices. Thier injuries are no worse, maybe even less so than any other team in the league. If in these conditions they cant get it done than they arent the smartest of players. Has Nash every played with Amare, marion, Q rich or JJ? I know amare, marion and JJ have had time together, but Nash hasnt and you wouldnt know it to watch him. Stevie Franchise, Mobley and Cato...they know eachother but everyone else is new, and their meshing well. Lets look at the Heat. Shaq is new, Jones is new, Leattner is new, Person is new, Doleac is new...umm...probably a few more i cant remember. But they are fitting in well.
I know none of these are to the extent of the Lakers unfamiliarity, but they are all teams that have adapted and gelled already. At what point do you drop the "their still learning" thing? How many games? 50? 82? I think 25 games should be more than enough.


<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">
You still say "odd Kobe assist" like it's rare, but it isn't. I still do not understand how an assist can be "odd" when it's being thrown 7.2 times a game. I hate to bring his name up again, but Jordan never averaged that many assists...in fact, go check his stats...he never broke 6 APG but once after the first championship (I believe). However, Jordan is known not only for his scoring, but for his sharing as well, and making teammates better. How do you overlook his assists? Was it because his teammates missed shots? I don't think so. </div>

I'm not surprised by Kobe getting 7.2 assists per game. I bet though that if you could figure out the stats kobe averages the highest number of assits per pass in the league BY FAR. Sure he gets 7.2 assits...but he only passes about 10 times just kiding...but still. What i mean is that everyone knows Kobe wants the shot, more than anyone on the league Kobe wants the shot. He gets doubled and he still wants it, the times when he gets the assits is when he's grossly beaten by the defence on a double or triple team and he passes out to the wide open man. But for everyone of those assits theirs a moment where he should of passed the ball rather than put of the shot, or make the wild drive. And no one say "well Kidd must be a ballhog because he gets 9 per game". Thats different. If you are open, Kidd will hit you with the pass. He passes first. Kobe see's you open, then looks to decide if his shot is twice as hard. If it is twice as hard he'll take it cause he's twice as good as anyone else. If its 3 times as hard...he'll probably try it and then pass in mid air if he cant get anything going.
In Summary He Gets So Many Assists Because He Always Has The Ball And Other Teams Key In On Him So Hard, Knowing He's In Love With Scoring, That It Leaves Other Players Open.

EDIT: And like ^ said...he is leading the league in turnovers. his 7.2 assists dont look as good when you look at 1) his turnovers 2) his FG% and 3) the # of shots he takes


<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">
I seriously think that Kobe is an easy target to put the blame on. People will say, "Okay, he wanted it this way...he's screwing up." That's not good enough. Some will say that he shoots too much...but maybe there's more to it than just Kobe. I wonder if others believe that Rudy T is just a face...no mind...just calls timeouts and lets Kobe do the coaching...because that's not true.</div>

he does shoot to much. Anyone with that FG% AND Odom/Butler on their team and still shooting 25 shots a night, IS SHOOTING TO MUCH.


<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">
The teammates love Kobe...they said it themselves (only one spoke out about it, and I'm sure it was Rush or Slava). Rudy T loves him. He takes them out to dinner, he went fishing with Cook...and now he's showing class by saying the Lakers and Heat played a great game, and so did Shaq. He took the blame for everything that has to do with the feud...but he's still being ripped. I guess there's no such thing as a second chance, really...and I guess that not only hurts your reputation as a great person, but as a great basketball player as well...for some reason.</div>

I dont know the players, but i can say that Jackson didnt like him, Payton didnt especially, and Shaq doesnt. I know Ray Allen doesnt, and i know Ron Harper doesnt. Maybe theirs more. But the word around the league(gossip ) is that Kobe's not a fan of his teammates. I dont know if its true...i shouldnt even say "i know X doesnt..." cause i really dont. But thats the word. And i've never heard anyone say otherwise.

 

Look, the turnovers thing was already explained. I've got every single Laker game this season and the last...either the actual tapes I've recorded from national TV, or the torrents I have on the computer of each full game...and I watch them alot. Alot means a game a day, even if I've seen it twice, five times, whatever. Mihm cannot catch at all...and Cook's hands are terrible. Jumaine Jones, for some reason, is always trying to take off sprinting before he catches the ball, and it causes turnovers. Kobe's no PG, although he may be the playmaker...and so he still may have a high number of turnovers...but he shouldn't be leading the league. His teammates need to get focused on the pass and step towards the ball.

Example? The biggest one I can think of right now is the Kings game, in LA. The pass was a bad one (Kobe was being doubled, but note...he didn't try and dribble out of it)...and Kobe threw a bad pass. However, the pass was still catchable for Brian Cook, but instead...Cook treated it like a lob and started stepping away, and before he could stop and think, the pass was stolen. Turnover by Kobe...but partially Cook's fault, and partially everyone else's fault for not helping on the double team. Kobe's at fault too, but it takes more than one person to turn the ball over, unless it's just a terrible, out of control pass, or a steal.

 

#1 wtf???

Did you watch the game at all, when Kobe went scoreless, LAKERS = LOST..
Kobe is averaging 7assist per game for gods sake even more than LeBron. 27/7/7 give him a break dammit.

 

I think watching the game as a casual observer it's easy to call him a ballhog, but it isn't true.
As you said, its not fair to label him like that considering that the offense is totally based on him. He's asked to do way too much and it isn't fair. If you watch his games without any knowledge of him beforehand you could argue that he's a PG, SG, or a SF.
Rudy should realize that his gameplan hinders the team and Kobe. If they keep it up he won't have any energy by the end of the season.
Their plan is watching Kobe and if he can't get the bucket he dishes it out. The coach should realize that it isn't working when Kobe is always making awkward passes in midair.
Watching Jalen Rose and Stephon Marbury play for a couple of seasons, I know for sure that Kobe isn't a ballhog.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheHitman:</div><div class="quote_post">#1 wtf???

Did you watch the game at all, when Kobe went scoreless, LAKERS = LOST..
Kobe is averaging 7assist per game for gods sake even more than LeBron. 27/7/7 give him a break dammit.</div>
If you were directing this at me...I'm saying that he's not a ballhog. The title and the end of my first post was complete sarcasm.

 

You pay for what you get!

He made this team crappy....too bad for him.

When a player sends away a good coach and a good player, and then demands a huge contract there is not anymore money for anyone else.

This is the problem with superstars demanding money. They are essentially dooming the franchise to mediocrity. Unless, players will take a pay cut to come play from them. No one wants to play with Kobe...Sorry. The Lakers dynasty is over....done...Thank god. We can have some years without them

Also, I don't necessarily feel that Kobe is a ball hog. I truly believe he is doing what he feels needs to be done to get the lakers winning. Like you said...they do not have the supporting cast. Plus, like I said...they never will.

Thank you,
The lakers hater

 

Haha, I love being a Laker fan.

You can't take away decades of greatness. You might as well look forward for decades more.

 

kobe cant be a ball hog cause he has like 7.4 assists per game

 

Kobe 'Ballhog' Bryant = Allen Iverson. Both players have so much in common - on and off the court. After this offseason they became almost identical in many aspects. Both players have the ball in their hands a lot, have a team built around them, and are referred to as 'ballhogs' when it's actually their role to lead the offense.

I've never been a Kobe fan (can't stand him as an individual), but everyone should have expected him to take more shots than last season. Think about it - Shaq is gone and Kobe is now in the league of AI, Paul Pierce, McGrady of last season, etc.

IMO Kobe is being called a ballhog/selfish player because of his attitude. Phil Jackson even called him 'uncoachable' and drama started from that point on. AI is considered the same way, and he's tagged with that nickname as well.

You mention that Duncan, KG, Lebron, Ray, etc. aren't considered ballhogs but then again you have to look at their attitudes. It goes back to Iverson & Kobe - players who have the negative reputation.

Another reason Duncan/KG aren't tagged with that nickname is because they are successful PFs. Big men like them can do whatever the hell they want because they are so good at what they do.

Lebron is more of a team player than Kobe whether you Kobe fans want to believe it or not. He gets along with people better as well, which holds a huge advantage in the long run.

Ray Allen is winning, therefore he's not being called a ballhog.

In reality, everything comes down to the boxscore (W's) and how you handle yourself - on and off the court. Kobe isn't having success in either one of those categories, so until then he'll maintain the status as a 'ballhog.'
<font size="1">*He's having a successful season as an individual on the court, but as long as his team remains mediocre, he won't be considered a success</font>