Who is the biggest waste of talent in NBA history?

Jun 15, 2011 at 11:21 PM

crzy
Hall of Fame
Posts: 40,285

Which NBA player is the biggest waste of talent in NBA history?

I'm not counting the guys who couldn't meet their potential due to deaths or injuries, guys like Len Bias or Jay Williams.

I mean the guys who just coasted through their careers, compeltely lacked work ethic and drive, and completely failed to maximize their talents for one reason or another.

Vince Carter
Derrick Coleman
Rasheed Wallace
Lamar Odom
Michael Ray Richardson
Baron Davis

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:12 AM

DarthNiner
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Posts: 8,625

Chris Washburn?

JB Carroll?

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:17 AM

BobS
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Posts: 10,692

Roy Tarpley, brought down by drug addiction.

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:26 AM

kujon11
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Posts: 5,999

how is lamar odom up there and not kwame brown/Michael Olowokandi?

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:42 AM

TheGoldenState
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Posts: 1,687

Originally posted by kujon11:
how is lamar odom up there and not kwame brown/Michael Olowokandi?

I was just going to say kwame brown

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:45 AM

jimrat
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Posts: 23,415

Stromile Swift, Tyrus Thomas, Darko, when I was younger I remember Randy White and Doug Smith.

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:50 AM

kujon11
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Posts: 5,999

Originally posted by jimrat201:
Stromile Swift, Tyrus Thomas, Darko, when I was younger I remember Randy White and Doug Smith.

i think darko still has a chance

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:51 AM

jimrat
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Posts: 23,415

Christian Leatner

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:52 AM

jimrat
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Posts: 23,415

Originally posted by kujon11:
Originally posted by jimrat201:
Stromile Swift, Tyrus Thomas, Darko, when I was younger I remember Randy White and Doug Smith.

i think darko still has a chance

To do what LOL

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:56 AM

#10

jimrat
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Posts: 23,415

Ralph Sampson

Jun 16, 2011 at 1:04 AM

#11

BoiseNiner
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Posts: 8,270

JR Rider should be mentioned as well. Doubt he's number 1 when you consider guys like Derrick Coleman and others. Still though, he had the talent to become a special player. Just was a complete idiot and always found ways to alienate himself from his team and was constantly in trouble with the law. dumbass.

Jun 16, 2011 at 1:58 AM

#12

DynastyChile
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Posts: 14,808

Originally posted by TheGoldenState:
Originally posted by kujon11:
how is lamar odom up there and not kwame brown/Michael Olowokandi?

I was just going to say kwame brown

lol Kwame? he isn't a talent, the guy couldnt peel an orange and feed it to himself without it fumbling to the ground, let alone hold a basketball during a pivot. Look he has the body of a great basketball player, but NOT the talent. this thread should be kept for the athletic freaks and shoulda been good players that either didnt work hard enough, smoked too much weed, or were criminals.

Jun 16, 2011 at 5:23 AM

#13

ima49erfan15
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Posts: 1,539

Rasheed Wallace won a championship so I wouldn't consider him a waste.

Jun 16, 2011 at 5:39 AM

#14

4ML
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Posts: 51,600

Shawn Kemp - could have been a super-star, but outside of couple years of all-star performances, under-achieved his whole career. Started declining in his late 20s when he had weight and drug issues.

Jun 16, 2011 at 8:47 AM

#15

bayarealuv
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Posts: 56,848

just read an article about JR rider and jason kidd last week.. two cats from the bay area.. different backgrounds.. a lot of people were saying JR was more athletic and had more upside.. but obviously their careers went in different directions.. we all know what JR got caught up in.. i remember my homie who is a bart cop saw him on the train lookin' tweaked out a couple years back..

[ Edited by bayarealuv on Jun 16, 2011 at 08:49:52 ]