5 most disapointing players?

[KP]

[font=Times New Roman, serif]NBA's five most disappointing players[/font]

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BY TIM WALTERS
FLORIDA TODAY [/font]http://vh10018.v1.moc.gbahn.net/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20050207&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=502070326&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=250
[font=arial,helvetica]Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, of China, slams dunk in the fourth quarter on his way to scoring 23 points as the Rockets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 119-113, in overtime Friday, Feb. 4, 2005, in Minneapolis. AP Photo
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[font=Times New Roman, serif]FLORIDA TODAY sports copy editor Tim Walters ranks the five most disappointing players in the NBA this season:

1. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets. Greatness was predicted for the 7-foot-6 center from China, but all he's producing right now is mediocrity. Yao is averaging 18.2 points and 8.6 rebounds a game, which isn't bad, but at his height and weight, he should be averaging double figures in rebounds and at least 20 points a game.

And with Tracy McGrady hoisting up 25 shots a game, Yao should grab six to eight rebounds alone from his teammate.

2. Keith Van Horn, Milwaukee Bucks. A career 17-point-a-game scorer, Van Horn is having a season to forget. He's averaging just 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds a game, all career lows for the nine-year veteran.

The Bucks are the third-worst team in the dismal Eastern Conference, and the poor play of Van Horn is partially to blame.

The Utah grad was supposed to do great things in the NBA, but he's past his prime and his numbers are sinking.

3. Latrell Sprewell, Minnesota Timberwolves. Before the season, he was running his mouth about wanting a $14-million-a- year contract rather than $10 million. Let's see him garner a big deal as a free agent after this season averaging just 12.5 points and 2.4 rebounds a game thus far.

The Timberwolves are struggling despite the inspired play of reigning MVP Kevin Garnett, and that's mainly because Sprewell and Sam Cassell are having lackluster seasons.

Sprewell's actions have been intolerable, and it's a shame because his talent is great but his attitude is not.

4. Gary Payton, Boston Celtics. First he said he wouldn't play for the Celtics, then he decided to. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

The Glove, as he once was known, is averaging just 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.17 steals per game. All well below his career numbers.

You can chalk up some of his decline to age and playing on an average team, but it's still amazing that Boston leads the Atlantic Division despite being just a .500 club. But you still expect more from one of the league's best point guards.

5. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers. Maybe it's unfair to put a guy on this list who's averaging 27.5 points a game. But considering he's missed a lot of games this season and his team is clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, he has to be held accountable.

Bryant chased Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson out of town, and the team's poor play made Rudy Tomjanovich so ill he had to quit. The team has almost no shot at making it back to the Finals.

Interesting list...
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What do you guys think of #5?

 

[hoopsfan]

Kobe's held accountable for getting injured, missing a month of the season and the team is still in the playoff hunt?? How does that make any sense?? I'd say it's a credit to the rest of the team more than a knock on him.
Why isn't KG on there?? They've got the same team that went to the WCF last year, he's the reighning MVP and as of right now, the Wolves are out of the playoffs.

 

[vj9999]

I hate Lakers with all the passion, but I can't agree with Kobe being a disappoinment. I think the writer was trying to create some contraversy. He can't be held accountable for Lakers position.

 

[iheartBrad]

i don't think Yao or Kobe should be on that list...there some many other guys out there that should come first...and to actually have Yao be number one on that list is just ridiculous....you guys can say what you want about Yao but he isn't one the most dissappointing players in this league....and definetly NOT number one

 

[KP]

Kobe's held accountable for getting injured, missing a month of the season and the team is still in the playoff hunt?? How does that make any sense?? I'd say it's a credit to the rest of the team more than a knock on him.
Why isn't KG on there?? They've got the same team that went to the WCF last year, he's the reighning MVP and as of right now, the Wolves are out of the playoffs.

I think what he's trying to say is that if Kobe hadn't run everyone off they'd be better equiped to deal with his injury. Whatever, having Kobe on that list is just ridiculous anyway. I agree about KG though. I've said it before, everyone wants to dog Webber out but he's still accomplished more than KG. If he's such a good leader how come they can't stay over .500 this year? I thought he was so inspiring, and forceful, and such a winner he just makes everyone around him better... sure his teamates are a bunch of clowns and thats not all his fault, but he got way to much praise last year when he had the same cast of characters. I woudn't write them off yet, but if you had to say so far this season what team is the biggest dissapointment in the league it would have to be the T-wolves... and who's their leader??

 

[Geoff]

Yao shouldn't be #1, but he should be on the list.

I don't think GP should be on that list...

The meltdown in Minnesota is due to many things, but Kevin Garnett isn't one of them. You can do all you can to motivate your teammates, but it's their choice to whether or not they want to be motivated.

 

[KP]

Yao shouldn't be #1, but he should be on the list.

I don't think GP should be on that list...

The meltdown in Minnesota is due to many things, but Kevin Garnett isn't one of them. You can do all you can to motivate your teammates, but it's their choice to whether or not they want to be motivated.

I agree with you to a certain extent, but when they win I don't want to hear it's all about the "Ultamite Warrior" Kevin Garnett... especially when they get bounced out(If they even make it) in the playoffs with one of the deepest and most talented teams in the league.

 

[SaCKiNgS24]

[font=Times New Roman, serif] 5. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers. Maybe it's unfair to put a guy on this list who's averaging 27.5 points a game. But considering he's missed a lot of games this season and his team is clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, he has to be held accountable.\

WOW!!!!! i hate the lakers just as much as the next man, but this is the stupidest thing ive heard in a while. So if Tim Duncan was to get injured and miss the rest of the season and his team ended up moving down 3-4 spots that would make him a dissapointing player?

YAO should be #1 on everyones list!
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[Gargamel]

Tripe. Kobe didn't run either Phil or Shaq off and 10 games isn't "a bunch". You're telling me this idiot forgot about Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson?

 

[Gargamel]

How about Carmelo Anthony?

 

[Padrino]

How about Carmelo Anthony?

word to that

 

[KP]

Yeah, Carmelo should def be on that list. I knew he was in for trouble when he thanked himself at the draft...

 

[iheartBrad]

How about Carmelo Anthony?

yeah when i read the headline i thought for sure he was gonna be on the list...but surprisingly he wasn't....they could of done a much better job putting together the list then what they did

 

[KA_2]

It's a Florida newspaper. Shaq probably paid him to say it. I'm serious. Shaq paid a research firm to say that Kobe's jersey sales had fallen and sent the info to ESPN. Don't believe me, just take a look at the most recent report on Kobe's jersey sales (released last week), they're selling about as good as they were the season before. That original report from a month or two ago about his jersey sales falling came from a Florida research firm.

 

[Heuge]

1) Artest
2) Carmelo
3) Stephen Jackson
4) Zach Randolph
5) Sam Spreewell

 

[KP]

It's a Florida newspaper. Shaq probably paid him to say it. I'm serious. Shaq paid a research firm to say that Kobe's jersey sales had fallen and sent the info to ESPN. Don't believe me, just take a look at the most recent report on Kobe's jersey sales (released last week), they're selling about as good as they were the season before. That original report from a month or two ago about his jersey sales falling came from a Florida research firm.

lol it was probably the same guy that paid off the refs in game 6...

 

[KA_2]

lol it was probably the same guy that paid off the refs in game 6...

Puhlease....


everyone knows that was Jerry Buss.

 

[shacko]

I would not have Yao or Keith on the list.............

Yao is doing better then I expected and has made improvements (he made his free-throws to put the lakers out last night.... LOL)

And Van Horn???? Did anyone really have any expectations for him??? He steps up once a month and is a non factor.........

Kobe of cource . ran off phil, shaQ, Malone, GP, fox, fisher, rush and made rudy sick and ready to go to pasture................

Spree = poison nuff said Let him choke on free angency........ LOL

GP? After watching the whine feast and league leading technicals last season how could he be "more" disapointing???

Does anyone remember DarkO????

And my list would not be complete without D' Fish as number one....

Can you blame St Jean and Mullin for paying that much and getting so little...............

Statistics PPG 11.2 RPG 2.40 APG 4.1 EFF+ 10.25

 

[mcsluggo]

It just means people have high expectations from Kobe.

 

[Bballkingsrock]

I agree with everyone that said Carmelo should be on that list.

 

[VF21]

Most disappointing player? bah humbug.

This guy makes it sound like those players on his list decided "Hey, I'm just not going to put forth an effort" or something.

If that's the case, then where is Tracy McGrady who admitted he'd pretty much phoned in the last part of the season? What about perennial team cancers? THOSE are disappointing players IMHO.

I criticize Kobe Bryant as much as anyone around, but to include him on this list is ludicrous.

This writer is just another hack who can't find anything meaningful to write about so he's attempting to create controversy.

Blech.

 

[Gargamel]

1) Artest
2) Carmelo
3) Stephen Jackson
4) Zach Randolph
5) Sam Spreewell

For #5, don't you mean Latrell Cassell?

 

[Evenstar]

hasn't van horn been hurt most of the year?!?! maybe thats why his numbers are so bad.....

kobe hasn't been a disappointment, he's been what i expected. numbers galore, but i'm surprised they are in contention for a playoff spot. VERY surprised.

KG hasn't been one either, he's just been a stat whore on a great team that is playing HORRIBLY. i'd blame the coach before KG.

carmelo, gollum, the pacers, eddie jones, those guys have been disappointing.

 

[funsc]

It's a Florida newspaper. Shaq probably paid him to say it. I'm serious. Shaq paid a research firm to say that Kobe's jersey sales had fallen and sent the info to ESPN. Don't believe me, just take a look at the most recent report on Kobe's jersey sales (released last week), they're selling about as good as they were the season before. That original report from a month or two ago about his jersey sales falling came from a Florida research firm.

The over-powered Shaq.

 

[funsc]

KG hasn't been one either, he's just been a stat whore on a great team that is playing HORRIBLY. i'd blame the coach before KG.

And don't forget his teammates. There're many selfish players in his team. Personally, I respect KG as a player.

 

[Heuge]

For #5, don't you mean Latrell Cassell?

I don't know what do like better the alliteration with the letter "s" or the nifty rhyme in the ending?

 

[nAj jAn™]

Carmelo, Kenyon, Camby,etc...All Nuggets should be the dissapointing players, they were predicted a title contender and an elite team, look at them now, especially Melo, a dissapointing season....

Kwame Brown should also be in the list, I know he is improving, but he still has a long years to go before this number 1 draft choice live up to his expectations.... Dissapointing number 1 draft, along with Darko (Larry, he needs playing time) C'mon, give the rookie a chance.............

 

[shacko]

Most disappointing player? bah humbug.

This guy makes it sound like those players on his list decided "Hey, I'm just not going to put forth an effort" or something.

If that's the case, then where is Tracy McGrady who admitted he'd pretty much phoned in the last part of the season? What about perennial team cancers? THOSE are disappointing players IMHO.

I criticize Kobe Bryant as much as anyone around, but to include him on this list is ludicrous.

This writer is just another hack who can't find anything meaningful to write about so he's attempting to create controversy.

Blech.

If that's the case, then where is Tracy McGrady who admitted he'd pretty much phoned in the last part of the season? What about perennial team cancers? THOSE are disappointing players IMHO.

I criticize Kobe Bryant as much as anyone around, but to include him on this list is ludicrous.

HHHmmmm good point on tmac...... Didnt VC admit as much also???

Perhaps kobe has not dogged it but his actions certainly have hurt the lakers and diminished HIS TEAMS chances of winning, while simultaneously allowing him to put up great numbers........

There is a poll @ clublakers : Who are the 5 most selfish players in the NBA? Everyone of those laker fans had him on the list @ least once, "everyone"..........

There may not be an i in team...............................

But there sure is in disappointing ..................

 

[SIR HENRY 8]

looks like they put kobe on list based onteam effort....not fair....i dont like kobe as a person,but he is a great BB talent,does'nt deserve to be on list,