[McDunkin]

Every year, rookies force their way onto NBA rosters while a bevy of second-year players establish themselves as legitimate NBA players. But roster management is a zero-sum game, and for every spot claimed by a young player, a veteran has to be released.

When the Miami Heat decided to keep Oklahoma State rookie Terrel Harris, they were forced to waive Eddie House. House, an 11-year NBA veteran, is only three seasons removed from being a crucial bench scorer for a Boston Celtics team that won the 2008 NBA Finals.

But in 56 games for the Heat last year, the 33-year-old guard looked like he lost a step defensively, and there’s no guarantee he signs with another NBA team. That’s how it ends for the majority of NBA players, not with a nationally publicized press conference, but with a one-line note in the transaction sections.

As the 2011-12 season gets underway, there are some notable names not on an NBA roster. They aren’t Hall of Famers, but they still had careers worth remembering.

Peja Stojakovic, 6’10 230 SF, Serbia

One of the best shooters in NBA history, Peja was a three-time All-Star and two-time Three-Point Shootout champion. He peaked in Sacramento, where he played with five skilled passers — Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Hedo Turkoglu — who could find him anywhere on the floor.

With a quick stroke and a 6’10 release point, he didn’t need much room to get his shot off. He made the All-NBA second team in 2004, averaging 24.2 points a game while shooting 48% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc.

He was plagued with back injuries after leaving the Kings, but his outside shooting was a crucial element of a 56-win New Orleans team in 2008. Last season, Dallas picked him up on waivers, and his ability to score from the perimeter while spelling Dirk Nowitzki was huge in the Mavericks’ playoff victories over Portland and the Lakers.

Before winning an NBA championship, he had already scored 13,647 NBA points, three European Player of the Year Awards and a gold medal in the 2002 World Championships. He’s the rare player who can away from the game with no unfinished business.

Antonio McDyess, 6’9 245 PF, Alabama

Before a devastating 2002 knee injury that robbed him of almost three seasons, McDyess was one of the NBA’s rising stars. An extremely athletic power forward with highlight-reel dunking ability, he had made an All-Star team, an All-NBA third team and the 2000 US Olympic team.

But rather than letting “what ifs” define his career, he reinvented himself in seven seasons with the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs. With the strength to defend the low post and a deadly mid-range jumper, he was a vital weapon for the two perennial contenders.

He came closest to a ring in 2005 when he helped battle Tim Duncan to a draw in the post in a classic seven-game NBA Finals that was turned by Robert Horry’s Game 5.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 7’3 260 C, Lithuania

Another injury-plagued big man, Ilgauskas became a fan favorite in Cleveland after battling through a series of devastating foot injuries, as well as an unimaginable personal tragedy, to become the starting center on the 2007 NBA Finals team.

Like most European big men, his game revolved around an excellent outside jumper. At 7’3, his ability to space the floor opened up driving lanes for LeBron James, and the two formed one of the deadliest pick-and-pop combinations in the league.

In 13 NBA seasons, he made two All-Star teams while scoring 10,976 points.

Joe Smith, 6’10 225 PF, Maryland

For most of his career, Smith was remembered for the things he couldn’t do. He never justified the No. 1 selection in a 1995 NBA Draft loaded with elite big men, and his production never warranted the illegal under-the-table contract he got from the Minnesota Timberwolves, a contract that cost the franchise three first-round picks and laid the foundations for Kevin Garnett’s eventual exit.

However, in the NBA, if you’re going to miss, you’re better off missing big. Smith still had an extremely productive 15-year NBA career, providing solid two-way interior play for 13 different teams. He played in over 1,000 NBA games, scoring 11,208 points and grabbing 6,575 rebounds.

Earl Boykins, 5’5 135 point guard, Eastern Michigan

In a sport where good big men are rare, it’s no surprise this list is dominated by 6’9+ players, which makes Boykins’ accomplishments all the more unbelievable.

One of the smallest players in NBA history, Boykins was an incredibly quick guard with a smooth perimeter jumper, good ball-handling skills as well as unreal upper-body strength, all of which he needed to make up for being undersized for NCAA Division III, much less the highest level of basketball in the world.

An undrafted player who carved out an 11-year NBA career, he scored 5,752 points while providing instant offense off the bench for 11 different teams.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/article/217911/Goodbye_Veterans#ixzz1i2Yl0zep

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 With this years loaded draft class get ready to say goodbye to more veterans

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Once Eddie House stop doing the only thing he keeps getting signed for and thats shoot..He was no longer useful….He was signed to open the floor up for Wade and Lebron with his shooting,but he never came through..But i dont think his nba career is done,someone will remember his Phoenix and Boston days and give him another shot..

If Joe Smith hasnt retired,i guarantee you some team will sign him before the playoffs..He’s a good locker room presence & good defender..

Teams know Boykins can still play and put points on the board..But coaches dislike his unothodox style and lack of defensive skills…

[I May Be WrongParticipant]

 Hey McDunkin….. you gotta do something about that new user Yo Mamma. He’s stealing all our… I mean YOUR points! 

[Scottoant93Participant]

^^^^LMAO

Even though i understand what the article is saying, half of the examples they gave retired Peja,Z,and Mcdyess retired on their own because they felt their bodies could no longer withstand playing for a full season

[raybeasParticipant]

crammed full of back-to-backs and 3-backs, younger, fresher legs make more sense for teams than older players who’ve already lost a step or three. Guys like these, and AK and Arenas, will still probably end up on rosters toward the end of the season.

[Yo mammaParticipant]

Today I went to the doctor. He told me to stop smoking, drinking and having sex. Guess what I did? I switched doctors. It was chill.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Don’t you just hate those posters who post random things that have nothing to do with basketball? Gee whiz…

[McDunkin]

Hey your mother…this off-topic point thing is kind of a taken job…Jack someone elses swag…I see in the way you picked the wrong crew to mess with (M.M.A./The Revengers) you already take after Cyclo. Dont make my associate Wiz Kid pay you a visit. #askSpencerIsHawesome.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Yeah, McDunkin, cause he’s so scary.

[Author]

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