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NBA: 4 bizarre results thanks to advanced statistics

By Jake Peterson

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: A detailed view of the NBA logo painted on the wooden floor boards of the court prior to the start of the Toronto Raptors NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: A detailed view of the NBA logo painted on the wooden floor boards of the court prior to the start of the Toronto Raptors NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

1. The league’s biggest ball hog

Players who don’t pass can just be the worst.

Sometimes it’s okay, like when they’re on fire and pulling up from half-court is a great idea. Most of the time, however, it’s bad for everyone involved. It doesn’t matter if they’re ice-cold, are quadruple-teamed or are being screamed at, sometimes ball hogs are just ball hogs.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have, through many eyes, one of the league’s worst ball hogs in Russell Westbrook. Westbrook was always the scapegoat when things went wrong in OKC, not passing to Kevin Durant, taking ill-advised shots or just not passing at all.

Admittedly, Russ has been better this season with a few of those “oh geez Russ” moments sprinkled in.

But who is the league’s biggest ball hog?

Does Tyler Davis ring a bell?

Davis, a rookie big man out of Texas A&M, has yet to make a pass in his NBA career. Davis opted just shoot instead.

Why is this relevant?

It’s obvious Davis is learning from the master, Westbrook, in his shoot first, pass less ways. Davis also grabbed a rebound, showing that he wants to go for the double-doubles before taking on the triple-double crown. The Westbrook effect will never leave OKC.

What would this look like in a real game?

It’s a Friday night primetime matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the year 2024. After winning their typical four No. 1 picks in the draft in a decade, the Cavs are back on top with Zaire Wade, LeBron James Jr., Anthony Edwards and Evan Mobley.

The game is tied and heading into overtime, after Tyler Davis took an ill-advised 35-foot fadeaway, despite making just two 3-pointers in his life.

With the game tied again heading into OT, Davis receives the ball in the low-post only to be quintuple-teamed with Terrance Ferguson wide open under the basket.

Next. The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated for 2017-18). dark

Davis gets stripped, LeBron James Jr. scores the winning basket and the Thunder lose. After the game, Davis gets upset with the media, eats a cupcake then dresses himself in his pregame outfit of a leprechaun/crossing guard while wearing three fedoras.