ramtour420 wrote:How about a player who "wasted his career" a bit differently. Was still a legend, an incredibly accomplished player( just not in the NBA) perhaps the best passing center of all time. Played professionally for 14 years before coming to NBA with all sorts of miles and chronic injuries. I give you the great Arvydas Sabonis.
Those soviet era plyaers played for the red army team "In europe". He could not come over for a while.
Injury not a waste. Why are we doing this?
Even Drug Use can be seen as "disease" and we can have some empathy.
Abul Rauf was not a waste, true it was taken away from him. Dude had turettes and had a strong belief. Vilified for seen as being disresepctful during national anthem.
Lamar Odom fell to drug use. Is that a waste?
Michael Sweetney, his biology and depression issue was not condusive to an NBA career. That he had NBA talent from hard work, is that a waste?
When did Marbury cross the line? Did he decline due to lack of hard work? Age slow him? Allan Iverson similar. Great players who declined prematurely. A waste at a higher level?
But Jonny flynn? No, he might have been a dissapointment but thats not the same as "waste". As mentioned, he had bad hip problems.
AR had a nice career overseas, that not the same as being a waste. He never had it here. Immature? Undeveloped physically? Perhaps, but lots of players make a transition to NBA as a one and done and needed more time.
Bernard king had legal issues early which to me was "waste", then he got it together wonderfully! He was fortunate to get a second chance. Not all players get one.
