A trip through the NBA's history!
In the NBA, the term ‘black hole’ describes a player who, once they have the ball, rarely passes it. Kevin McHale humorously earned this label from his teammates due to his exceptional efficiency in the post—when McHale had the ball, a basket was often imminent. His play style, though less passing-focused, was beneficial as it consistently led to points and victories. However, not all black holes are beneficial. While McHale’s ball dominance was advantageous, some players have harmed their teams with their reluctance to pass. These players, infamous for their ball-hogging tendencies, frustrated teammates and fans alike. This article explores the 5 biggest black holes in NBA history—players whose excessive ball-hogging did more harm than good!
Yinka Dare’s career exemplifies a black hole player. Drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1994, the 7-foot centre was known for his remarkable aversion to passing. In his rookie season, he didn’t record a single assist and took until his third season to notch one. Over his career, Dare played 1,002 minutes but had only four assists. His inability to pass and lack of court vision overshadowed his physical gifts. Despite respectable rebounding and shot-blocking, his ball-hogging tendencies limited his effectiveness and shortened his NBA career.
Shabazz Muhammad entered the NBA with high expectations after a standout college career at UCLA, being drafted 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2013. Known for his scoring ability, Muhammad's NBA tenure quickly became marked by his tunnel vision on offense. Despite his knack for scoring, his reluctance to pass led to frustration among teammates and a stagnant offense. Over six seasons, he managed only 151 total assists, with just six in his rookie season. Averaging 0.5 assists per game, Muhammad’s unwillingness to share the ball limited his effectiveness and role on the court.
Corey Maggette, known for his explosive scoring and athleticism, also earned a reputation as one of the NBA's notorious black holes. From 1999 to 2013, he was a prolific scorer, frequently getting to the free-throw line, but his assist numbers were consistently low. Averaging just 2.1 assists per game against 16 points per game, Maggette often disrupted team flow by halting ball movement to create his own shot. Despite a solid 45.2% shooting percentage, his focus on scoring over passing made him a frustrating player, limiting his effectiveness as a team player.
Hassan Whiteside, despite his impressive individual stats, often struggles with team success. Renowned for his shot-blocking and rebounding, leading the league in blocks in 2015-16 and rebounds in 2016-17, Whiteside’s offensive play style has been criticised as a black hole. He tends to demand the ball in the post and rarely passes, averaging only 0.7 assists per game throughout his career. This low assist average, coupled with a career-high of just five assists in a game, often leads to stagnant offence and frustration.
Moses Malone, a legendary rebounder and scorer, faced criticism for his play style despite his Hall of Fame career. Known for dominating the boards and scoring efficiently, Malone’s reluctance to pass once he had the ball earned him a black hole reputation. Averaging only 1.3 assists per game, his tendency to keep the ball near the basket, often grabbing and scoring his own misses, contributed to this view. Nevertheless, Malone’s impact was profound, with three MVPs, 12 All-Star selections, and a Finals MVP title in 1983. His scoring and rebounding were crucial to his team's success.
Carmelo Anthony, Adrian Dantley, Marcus Morris, Alfredrick Hughes, and Nick Young can also be considered prominent "black holes" in the history of the league.
