[2quick4uParticipant]

so my question is:  which is the best talent in basketball history that didn’t reach his full potential?

but i’m not talking about players that died or got injured like petrovic,len bias,sabonis,grant hill or ralph sampson..neither i’m talking about "busts" like kwame brown or adam morrison.. i’m talking about the best TALENT, so that includes any player(not injured), even if he had a great career..

*for example, someone might think chris webber or even shaquille o’neal never reached his full potential and should’ve had an even better career..

ok so let’s play! i’ll say mine..:

– lamar odom: yeap, i think this guy had all the tools to change the game, just like magic did but to another level..man he is taller,more athletic,stronger,faster,better shooter,had better ballhandling and was as good passer as magic.. he also had "that special thing" that made you wanna watch him play all the time(well when he just came out), something that magic,bird,kobe or jordan had and something that in my opinion lebron james doesn’t..

but odom wasn’t a leader and wasn’t mentally as strong and as determined as the greatest players, and he didn’t take the challenge and responsability to play PG and contented himself with being "just" a good PF..

 

 

 

 

[MrManalo43Participant]

i’d have said Grant Hill and/or Greg Odom.

Those two had the Gift man…

 

[MrManalo43Participant]

i’d have said Grant Hill and/or Greg Odom.

Those two had the Gift man…

 

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

I wouldn’t say Grant Hill, Greg Oden, or Magic were more gifted than Lamar Odom. Those are just the cliche answers. Lamar Odom was more gifted and that’s what held him back. He was too scared to be the best.

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

I wouldn’t say Grant Hill, Greg Oden, or Magic were more gifted than Lamar Odom. Those are just the cliche answers. Lamar Odom was more gifted and that’s what held him back. He was too scared to be the best.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 did you really just say lamar odom was more gifted than grant hill or magic? not in a billion years buddy.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 did you really just say lamar odom was more gifted than grant hill or magic? not in a billion years buddy.

[BlueLacesParticipant]

So Magic Johnson is considered a top 5 player of all time in nearly everyone’s book and you’re saying Lamar Odom had the ability to take his game to a whole new level above Magic’s? You sure about that?

To answer your question, I’ll say Michael Beasley. Not going to make any over the top comparisons to who he could had been though. 

[BlueLacesParticipant]

So Magic Johnson is considered a top 5 player of all time in nearly everyone’s book and you’re saying Lamar Odom had the ability to take his game to a whole new level above Magic’s? You sure about that?

To answer your question, I’ll say Michael Beasley. Not going to make any over the top comparisons to who he could had been though. 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yeah, Beasley will probably be my choice.

even KD stated that Beasley was better than him growing up. 

Beasley just never had the work ethic. he didnt put the time in to improve every part of his game and increase his bball IQ.

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yeah, Beasley will probably be my choice.

even KD stated that Beasley was better than him growing up. 

Beasley just never had the work ethic. he didnt put the time in to improve every part of his game and increase his bball IQ.

 

[kazamParticipant]

 Jonathon Bender

[kazamParticipant]

 Jonathon Bender

[HoosierHoopsParticipant]

this kills the pacer fan

[HoosierHoopsParticipant]

this kills the pacer fan

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

Shaq if you ask me. He could’ve been so much more if he had a great work ethic and focused more on his conditioning. Thats saying alot seeing as he was the most physically dominant player ever.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

Shaq if you ask me. He could’ve been so much more if he had a great work ethic and focused more on his conditioning. Thats saying alot seeing as he was the most physically dominant player ever.

[ditotayParticipant]

Shaq’s and Beasley’s comments. Also you could say Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis. I can’t think of anybody else right now. Good question by the way.

[ditotayParticipant]

Shaq’s and Beasley’s comments. Also you could say Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis. I can’t think of anybody else right now. Good question by the way.

[frogmanParticipant]

Well yeah Oden, Hill, Bender, Wagner etc. had injuries but who do you all think just didn’t put it altogether with supreme talent?  I’d say Tim Thomas.  That dude had so much talent, just couldn’t be bothered working hard and was happy to get $7 mil contract after $7 mil contract.  (I’d be happy with that too BTW).  I think even Ray Allen once said he could be the best player in the league if he wanted to.

[frogmanParticipant]

Well yeah Oden, Hill, Bender, Wagner etc. had injuries but who do you all think just didn’t put it altogether with supreme talent?  I’d say Tim Thomas.  That dude had so much talent, just couldn’t be bothered working hard and was happy to get $7 mil contract after $7 mil contract.  (I’d be happy with that too BTW).  I think even Ray Allen once said he could be the best player in the league if he wanted to.

[tidhoParticipant]

Tim Thomas is a great candidate. Remember him at Villanova being an absolute man among boys…but he never seemed to give a crap.

[tidhoParticipant]

Tim Thomas is a great candidate. Remember him at Villanova being an absolute man among boys…but he never seemed to give a crap.

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

I know he was a fat load in college, but damn did he make the game look easy. 

Also: Darko Milicic, Nikloz Tskitishvili

 

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

I know he was a fat load in college, but damn did he make the game look easy. 

Also: Darko Milicic, Nikloz Tskitishvili

 

[ncballer]

 As a UNC fan it will always make me really sad to think of what Rashad McCants could have been in the league.  Aweseome athleticism, high basketball IQ, alpha scoring ability, but was a locker room cancer that no one wanted to work with.  Could have been a consistent number 2 scoring option scoring around 18 ppg on a lot of good teams had he just not been a cancer. 

Absoulute waste of talent.  

 

[ncballer]

 As a UNC fan it will always make me really sad to think of what Rashad McCants could have been in the league.  Aweseome athleticism, high basketball IQ, alpha scoring ability, but was a locker room cancer that no one wanted to work with.  Could have been a consistent number 2 scoring option scoring around 18 ppg on a lot of good teams had he just not been a cancer. 

Absoulute waste of talent.  

 

[max23Participant]

Eddie Griffin(RIP),Darius Miles,Stromile Swift

[max23Participant]

Eddie Griffin(RIP),Darius Miles,Stromile Swift

[GrandmamaParticipant]

 Couple things… I loved Eddie Griffin.  Terrific shot blocker and a good 3-pt shooter, that’s a rare combo.  It was really sad what happened to him. 

 

As for Darius Miles.  I saw him play about 6 or 7 times in high school when he was at East St. Louis.  He was never really all that skilled, he primarily got by on athleticism.  Most of his buckets came in transition or off putbacks.  He couldn’t dribble, couldn’t shoot, and physically was very weak.  Had he gone to college, his weaknesses would have been even more apparent, and I doubt he would have went as high as 3rd.  I wouldn’t really put him in the category of "greatest talent to never reach their potential."  He really wasn’t very talented.  Although he did swat one of my friends in high school into the stands, lol…

 

 

[GrandmamaParticipant]

 Couple things… I loved Eddie Griffin.  Terrific shot blocker and a good 3-pt shooter, that’s a rare combo.  It was really sad what happened to him. 

 

As for Darius Miles.  I saw him play about 6 or 7 times in high school when he was at East St. Louis.  He was never really all that skilled, he primarily got by on athleticism.  Most of his buckets came in transition or off putbacks.  He couldn’t dribble, couldn’t shoot, and physically was very weak.  Had he gone to college, his weaknesses would have been even more apparent, and I doubt he would have went as high as 3rd.  I wouldn’t really put him in the category of "greatest talent to never reach their potential."  He really wasn’t very talented.  Although he did swat one of my friends in high school into the stands, lol…

 

 

[r377Participant]

I think Ty Thomas deserves a mention….

[r377Participant]

I think Ty Thomas deserves a mention….

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 I agree Shaq was lazy so imagine if he wasn’t. Vin Baker, Jeff Green is very frustrating. He literally shuts Lebron down and reduces him to a jump shooter when they go 1 on 1. Jeff Green js too fast for 4’s too big for Threes. Green can guard 4 positions.Green is there one game and gone the next, fire just does not burn right. Jeff is as gifted athletically as anyone who has ever played.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 I agree Shaq was lazy so imagine if he wasn’t. Vin Baker, Jeff Green is very frustrating. He literally shuts Lebron down and reduces him to a jump shooter when they go 1 on 1. Jeff Green js too fast for 4’s too big for Threes. Green can guard 4 positions.Green is there one game and gone the next, fire just does not burn right. Jeff is as gifted athletically as anyone who has ever played.

[kazamParticipant]

 J.R. Smith, Marcus Williams (UCONN), Acie Law. 

JR is just a bonehead. Marcus Williams I’m not sure what happened to him but I remember him just racking up assists at UCONN and even played decent, if unspectacular,  his rookie year with the Nets. I think he was in the rookie sophmore game then too. 

Acie Law was a favorite of mine after his spark plug play for A&M. I thought he would turn into a steady point guard with a dead eye jumper. Williams is now in Russia, not sure where Law is now though. 

 

 

 

 

[kazamParticipant]

 J.R. Smith, Marcus Williams (UCONN), Acie Law. 

JR is just a bonehead. Marcus Williams I’m not sure what happened to him but I remember him just racking up assists at UCONN and even played decent, if unspectacular,  his rookie year with the Nets. I think he was in the rookie sophmore game then too. 

Acie Law was a favorite of mine after his spark plug play for A&M. I thought he would turn into a steady point guard with a dead eye jumper. Williams is now in Russia, not sure where Law is now though. 

 

 

 

 

[Russell0WestbrookParticipant]

Lenny Cooke no need to put details

[Russell0WestbrookParticipant]

Lenny Cooke no need to put details

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

 JR Smith, could have been the best SG of his era if he had a brain

Grant Hill, his career was ruined by the Pistons’ staff but he finished his career with more triple-doubles than MJ, didn’t he? 

Len Bias. Someone said he could have been what KD is. Would have loved to see that. 

Rasheed Wallace had all the tools,  not the mindset. 

Joe Barely Cares to round this list out.

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

 Just saw the no injuries rule. Grant is different, the Pistons ran him to the ground. Fed him painkillers till his body said no.

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

 Just saw the no injuries rule. Grant is different, the Pistons ran him to the ground. Fed him painkillers till his body said no.

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

 JR Smith, could have been the best SG of his era if he had a brain

Grant Hill, his career was ruined by the Pistons’ staff but he finished his career with more triple-doubles than MJ, didn’t he? 

Len Bias. Someone said he could have been what KD is. Would have loved to see that. 

Rasheed Wallace had all the tools,  not the mindset. 

Joe Barely Cares to round this list out.

[Russell0WestbrookParticipant]

 Also Marvin Williams he was drafted b4 cp3 for all of the tools he had and he has been healthy just never put it together… Don’t forget JR Rider lol he was a drunk and still played decent imagine if he actually loved the game

[Russell0WestbrookParticipant]

 Also Marvin Williams he was drafted b4 cp3 for all of the tools he had and he has been healthy just never put it together… Don’t forget JR Rider lol he was a drunk and still played decent imagine if he actually loved the game

[MrManalo43Participant]

Not that he didn’t "live up to expectations" per se, but i woulda loved to see TMac with Kobe’s Longevity

[MrManalo43Participant]

Not that he didn’t "live up to expectations" per se, but i woulda loved to see TMac with Kobe’s Longevity

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 I’m gonna go ahead and say eddy curry and Rudy Gay himself.

rudy used to be one of my favorite players back when he was at Memphis. Ignorantly I used to say he deserved a primary role on a team, and that he had time to mature, but there is no maturing with rudy. Rudy gay is one of the most skilled, physically, and athecally talented players the nba HaS eVER seen!! I’m telling you right now, if Rudy gay had the mentality of a regular "all star" player, he would be a superstar. But he is stupid as hell, even at this age. He has something i will forever call the "Rudy gay syndrome", which is basically, and simply –make shots harder than they should be– he is all about looking good. It’s kindof stupid to the regular eye, but for those who know about basketball he doesn’t know when the situation is hard enough for a double pump fake shot or a simply lay in, he takes every shot like he was being ultra contested, he doesn’t know how to look for the easy ones. Hard to explain, but to me, Rudy gay has always been as talented as anybody in the league.

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 I’m gonna go ahead and say eddy curry and Rudy Gay himself.

rudy used to be one of my favorite players back when he was at Memphis. Ignorantly I used to say he deserved a primary role on a team, and that he had time to mature, but there is no maturing with rudy. Rudy gay is one of the most skilled, physically, and athecally talented players the nba HaS eVER seen!! I’m telling you right now, if Rudy gay had the mentality of a regular "all star" player, he would be a superstar. But he is stupid as hell, even at this age. He has something i will forever call the "Rudy gay syndrome", which is basically, and simply –make shots harder than they should be– he is all about looking good. It’s kindof stupid to the regular eye, but for those who know about basketball he doesn’t know when the situation is hard enough for a double pump fake shot or a simply lay in, he takes every shot like he was being ultra contested, he doesn’t know how to look for the easy ones. Hard to explain, but to me, Rudy gay has always been as talented as anybody in the league.

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Shout out to jr smith and javale mcgee

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Shout out to jr smith and javale mcgee

[GrandmamaParticipant]

 Penny, Grant Hill, Oden, Bill Walton, Beasley

 

 

 

 

[GrandmamaParticipant]

 Penny, Grant Hill, Oden, Bill Walton, Beasley

 

 

 

 

[evantomesParticipant]

 Derrick Coleman

[evantomesParticipant]

 Derrick Coleman

[ph90702]

J.R. Smith has the talent to be the best shooting guard in the NBA.  Lamar Odom was the most versatile player in the NBA in his prime.

[ph90702]

J.R. Smith has the talent to be the best shooting guard in the NBA.  Lamar Odom was the most versatile player in the NBA in his prime.

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

Michael Beasley

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

Michael Beasley

[Ball1SLife41Participant]

Brandon Roy – one of my favorite players watching as I grew up. He didn’t have the elite athleticism as most players but his IQ and clutch genes were amazing to witness. It just sucks that his career was cut short. Who knows what he could’ve accomplished with healthy knees.

 

[Ball1SLife41Participant]

Brandon Roy – one of my favorite players watching as I grew up. He didn’t have the elite athleticism as most players but his IQ and clutch genes were amazing to witness. It just sucks that his career was cut short. Who knows what he could’ve accomplished with healthy knees.

 

[Land of GrantParticipant]

Player A: Elite athlete, great but streaky shooter, 6’6 220 lbs

Player B: Decent athlete, good shooter, 6’5 205 lbs

Player A has a better career, right? Player A is J.R Smith, and Player B is Manu Ginobili. Just shows how far a brain and a good situation can go.

One thing I’ll add is that when J.R Smith is locked in, he’s actually a very good defender and passer. He’s just a better nightclubber, and so rarely locked in. But Locked In JR Smith is a top-10 player in this league.

 

 

 

[Land of GrantParticipant]

Player A: Elite athlete, great but streaky shooter, 6’6 220 lbs

Player B: Decent athlete, good shooter, 6’5 205 lbs

Player A has a better career, right? Player A is J.R Smith, and Player B is Manu Ginobili. Just shows how far a brain and a good situation can go.

One thing I’ll add is that when J.R Smith is locked in, he’s actually a very good defender and passer. He’s just a better nightclubber, and so rarely locked in. But Locked In JR Smith is a top-10 player in this league.

 

 

 

[KanyEvil27Participant]

I think Deron Williams coulda been a lot better than he is right now or was.  Ryan Hollins, he was a track and field star in college too, he just sucks now. 

[KanyEvil27Participant]

I think Deron Williams coulda been a lot better than he is right now or was.  Ryan Hollins, he was a track and field star in college too, he just sucks now. 

[Kokayne_DawkinzParticipant]

 Jamal Crawford!!! Anyone else read the arttical that since he was never I. LThe post season early in his career he would just play pick up games all summer to improve his game not weight lifting or shooting drills or anything just pick up games!!! 

[Kokayne_DawkinzParticipant]

 Jamal Crawford!!! Anyone else read the arttical that since he was never I. LThe post season early in his career he would just play pick up games all summer to improve his game not weight lifting or shooting drills or anything just pick up games!!! 

[barbabodomParticipant]

 According to this site, Deshawn Stevenson.

[barbabodomParticipant]

 According to this site, Deshawn Stevenson.

[Rip255]

What do you guys think about Yao Ming? He never played college, and only played 486 games (equivelent to 5 seasons) in the NBA.

In different circumstances i.e. coming over a few years over and playing some college….and if he had an injury free career….

Could he have been a top 5 centre ever?

 

 

 

 

  

[Rip255]

What do you guys think about Yao Ming? He never played college, and only played 486 games (equivelent to 5 seasons) in the NBA.

In different circumstances i.e. coming over a few years over and playing some college….and if he had an injury free career….

Could he have been a top 5 centre ever?

 

 

 

 

  

[Sabdiego12345678Participant]

 Id say david thompson he had an amzing career and is in the hall of fame but he got messed up with drugs. he had it all could jump(48inch vert) out the gym shoot defend block shots and is one of the all time best dunkers he basically made mj and is his idol…. i truly think he would be an all time great without his issues he scored 73 in one game which is just incredible

also id say shaq he shouldve worked harder he could have been so much better if he had a good work ethic

 

[Sabdiego12345678Participant]

 Id say david thompson he had an amzing career and is in the hall of fame but he got messed up with drugs. he had it all could jump(48inch vert) out the gym shoot defend block shots and is one of the all time best dunkers he basically made mj and is his idol…. i truly think he would be an all time great without his issues he scored 73 in one game which is just incredible

also id say shaq he shouldve worked harder he could have been so much better if he had a good work ethic

 

[addi troupaParticipant]

 I remember a time when he and Kobe were pretty much on par early in their careers.  Carter had the physical gifts to be one of the greatest but was lazy as hell

[addi troupaParticipant]

 I remember a time when he and Kobe were pretty much on par early in their careers.  Carter had the physical gifts to be one of the greatest but was lazy as hell

[Darth DivacParticipant]

I know of many super talented, super disappointing Kings:

Bobby Hurley: His IQ, jump shot, passing skills and leadership were just amazing. He was bound to be the next John Sotckton, he had all the tools. And the next thing we Kings fans know, he’s lying in a ditch with his legs ruined.

Lionel Simmons: Exploded onto the scene his first year averaging 18.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Looked like LeBron James out there. Then for some reason, he just flamed out. No one knows why. His stats went down every year until he was riding the bench and he shortly bounced out of the league.

Pervis Ellison: “Never Nervous” Pervis Ellison had the skills, size, mentality, and athleticism to be a franchise player. But he was injured so often with such a wide range of reasons that he earned the nickname “Out of Service Pervis”.

Ricky Berry: Showed a lot of potential in his first season, but tragically committed suicide after his wife left him.

Tyreke Evans: Won Rookie of the Year, first King to ever do so. The game came so effortlessly to him, but his jumper was inconsistent and he never really had that “I’m gonna take over, this is MY team” mentality.

[Darth DivacParticipant]

I know of many super talented, super disappointing Kings:

Bobby Hurley: His IQ, jump shot, passing skills and leadership were just amazing. He was bound to be the next John Sotckton, he had all the tools. And the next thing we Kings fans know, he’s lying in a ditch with his legs ruined.

Lionel Simmons: Exploded onto the scene his first year averaging 18.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Looked like LeBron James out there. Then for some reason, he just flamed out. No one knows why. His stats went down every year until he was riding the bench and he shortly bounced out of the league.

Pervis Ellison: “Never Nervous” Pervis Ellison had the skills, size, mentality, and athleticism to be a franchise player. But he was injured so often with such a wide range of reasons that he earned the nickname “Out of Service Pervis”.

Ricky Berry: Showed a lot of potential in his first season, but tragically committed suicide after his wife left him.

Tyreke Evans: Won Rookie of the Year, first King to ever do so. The game came so effortlessly to him, but his jumper was inconsistent and he never really had that “I’m gonna take over, this is MY team” mentality.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

1.Lloyd Daniels-Awesome talent..Trouble with the law,battles with alcohol,drugs,academic trouble, growing up in a difficult enviroment and not having any self discipline lead to his demise…..

2.Arvydas Sabonis-Strange to say someone thats in the Hall of Fame as a person that didnt live up to his potential..But Sabonis would’ve been one of the all time greats if he had came over earlier..

3.Renardo Sidney- Sidney was his own worst enemy…

4.Keith Van Horn-Could’ve been so much better than what he shown….

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

1.Lloyd Daniels-Awesome talent..Trouble with the law,battles with alcohol,drugs,academic trouble, growing up in a difficult enviroment and not having any self discipline lead to his demise…..

2.Arvydas Sabonis-Strange to say someone thats in the Hall of Fame as a person that didnt live up to his potential..But Sabonis would’ve been one of the all time greats if he had came over earlier..

3.Renardo Sidney- Sidney was his own worst enemy…

4.Keith Van Horn-Could’ve been so much better than what he shown….

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

 The 3 most naturally gifted players in the NBA are Rudy Gay, Michael Beasley, & JR Smith, but they don’t care to be great as they could be. All the God given talent you could ask for (more than LeBron & KD IMO) These guys could not work out or play for a week, walk in the gym and still score 40.

I remember how pissed I was on draft day when I found out my Rockets had Rudy fall in their laps then traded him away for Battier. I thought him & T-Mac (my favorite player) would have been an unstoppable wing combo at the time. In hindsight, good move.

Just thinking of where Chicago would be had they drafted him over Rose is frightnening.

JR is the only reason JR is not a starter and 20+ppg scorer in this league. I thought he would grow up and blow up after Denver, but it just never happened. He’d rather hit the club than become a consistent player and make the most of that athleticism and shooting stroke.

 

 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

 The 3 most naturally gifted players in the NBA are Rudy Gay, Michael Beasley, & JR Smith, but they don’t care to be great as they could be. All the God given talent you could ask for (more than LeBron & KD IMO) These guys could not work out or play for a week, walk in the gym and still score 40.

I remember how pissed I was on draft day when I found out my Rockets had Rudy fall in their laps then traded him away for Battier. I thought him & T-Mac (my favorite player) would have been an unstoppable wing combo at the time. In hindsight, good move.

Just thinking of where Chicago would be had they drafted him over Rose is frightnening.

JR is the only reason JR is not a starter and 20+ppg scorer in this league. I thought he would grow up and blow up after Denver, but it just never happened. He’d rather hit the club than become a consistent player and make the most of that athleticism and shooting stroke.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

I’ll throw in O.J Mayo who was considered in the same league as D-Rose when he was coming through HS and College but now isn’t a regular on a poor Bucks team.

If we are talking guys who had injury issues then Ralph Sampson is the obvious one and perhaps the sort of guy who needed to play 20 years later and go to NBA from HS or as a one and done.

One other guy who was elite at his peak and is still an NBA regular is Jermaine O’Neal who is only a 13ppg 7rpg career player but at his peak was considered to be up there with KG, Drik, Tim Duncan etc. Spending a long time on the bench at Portland, post Brawl in the Hall fall out and injuries cost him a fair bit.

Kenyon Martin was a beast in college and was an a finals team in the NBA with the Nets but injuries affected him hugely at Denver and his chance to be a legit star went.

[HitsterParticipant]

I’ll throw in O.J Mayo who was considered in the same league as D-Rose when he was coming through HS and College but now isn’t a regular on a poor Bucks team.

If we are talking guys who had injury issues then Ralph Sampson is the obvious one and perhaps the sort of guy who needed to play 20 years later and go to NBA from HS or as a one and done.

One other guy who was elite at his peak and is still an NBA regular is Jermaine O’Neal who is only a 13ppg 7rpg career player but at his peak was considered to be up there with KG, Drik, Tim Duncan etc. Spending a long time on the bench at Portland, post Brawl in the Hall fall out and injuries cost him a fair bit.

Kenyon Martin was a beast in college and was an a finals team in the NBA with the Nets but injuries affected him hugely at Denver and his chance to be a legit star went.

[Forte IVParticipant]

Shaun Livingston

[Forte IVParticipant]

Shaun Livingston

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

 Derrick Coleman and Darius Miles, which I guess were already said.  I think Monta Ellis could have been elite with more work on his shooting range and point guard abilities.  Tyreke Evans is a similar sort of situation, as well.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

 Derrick Coleman and Darius Miles, which I guess were already said.  I think Monta Ellis could have been elite with more work on his shooting range and point guard abilities.  Tyreke Evans is a similar sort of situation, as well.

[Ebown5Participant]

How about Allen Iverson? He is my all time favorite player, but he left so much potential on the floor.

 I think that people who had their careers cut short by injury are really part of a different discussion. None of the extremely talented players mentioned in this thread are in Iverson’s class as a natural talent.

He had as much natural talent as any player to ever play the game of basketball. You can certainly say that someone like Lamar Odom or Derrick Coleman should have been HOF players, but Iverson already will be HOF player and could have been so much more.

If he put in the same level of passion and effort in practice and the offseason, and had a better attitude towards leadership he could have been a top ten player all time, and had multiple championships. All at 5’11 and 160 pounds.

Almost everything that he ever accomplished was done off of natural ability and his cometetive drive during games. He was one of the greatest warriors in history in terms of courage and drive while playing, but one of the alltime slackers when it came to everything else.

Practice was a joke to him. Off seasons were spent drinking and gambling. Weight rooms? Who needs’em?

He was never going to be a physical defender because of his size, but he could easily have been as good a defender as Isaiah Thomas, or John Stockton. It would just have taken work.

Off the court he was the most popular player in the world for a while there, and could have been so much more in that regard too. 

He was as unique a player that the league has ever seen. Think about how today where a player like Marcus Smart who is about 4 inches taller and 60 pounds heavier is still knocked for being small for the position of shooting guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[Ebown5Participant]

How about Allen Iverson? He is my all time favorite player, but he left so much potential on the floor.

 I think that people who had their careers cut short by injury are really part of a different discussion. None of the extremely talented players mentioned in this thread are in Iverson’s class as a natural talent.

He had as much natural talent as any player to ever play the game of basketball. You can certainly say that someone like Lamar Odom or Derrick Coleman should have been HOF players, but Iverson already will be HOF player and could have been so much more.

If he put in the same level of passion and effort in practice and the offseason, and had a better attitude towards leadership he could have been a top ten player all time, and had multiple championships. All at 5’11 and 160 pounds.

Almost everything that he ever accomplished was done off of natural ability and his cometetive drive during games. He was one of the greatest warriors in history in terms of courage and drive while playing, but one of the alltime slackers when it came to everything else.

Practice was a joke to him. Off seasons were spent drinking and gambling. Weight rooms? Who needs’em?

He was never going to be a physical defender because of his size, but he could easily have been as good a defender as Isaiah Thomas, or John Stockton. It would just have taken work.

Off the court he was the most popular player in the world for a while there, and could have been so much more in that regard too. 

He was as unique a player that the league has ever seen. Think about how today where a player like Marcus Smart who is about 4 inches taller and 60 pounds heavier is still knocked for being small for the position of shooting guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

I agree. He could have been much better if not for his off court habbits. He could have been easily top 10 greatest ever with a better attitude and work ethic.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

I agree. He could have been much better if not for his off court habbits. He could have been easily top 10 greatest ever with a better attitude and work ethic.

[barbabodomParticipant]

Personally, I think AI surpassed his potential. He was one of the greatest scores in the league although one of tinyest players ever!

[barbabodomParticipant]

Personally, I think AI surpassed his potential. He was one of the greatest scores in the league although one of tinyest players ever!

[Kevin6CDParticipant]

take your claim that Lamar Odom was a better passer than Magic Johnson seriously.  You had to have been joking.  Magic had one season (his rookie year) with an AST% lower than Odom’s best year.  Even if we are saying Odom didn’t reach his potential, if he had, can you really say he would’ve doubled his assist rate?

[Kevin6CDParticipant]

take your claim that Lamar Odom was a better passer than Magic Johnson seriously.  You had to have been joking.  Magic had one season (his rookie year) with an AST% lower than Odom’s best year.  Even if we are saying Odom didn’t reach his potential, if he had, can you really say he would’ve doubled his assist rate?

[FourParticipant]

Great posts by everyone – I had names in my mind that I didn’t think would get metioned but did.  So I’m sorry I’m late and not adding as much.  But for me there are two classes of guys here – ones that were selfish, lazy and/or didn’t care as compared to ones that were more interested drinking/drugs than tapping into their talent. 

Lazy/selfish/ambivalent – Lloyd Daniels, Harold Miner and Sean Higgins

Drinking/drugs – Vin Baker and Roy Tarpley

Richard Dumas could go a bit in both – I get the impression that he did not really care partially because he enjoyed some banned substances.

Enigma award goes to Bo Kimble.  Amazing talent, lottery pick and tore up the league…for a month.  Then disappeared.

[FourParticipant]

Great posts by everyone – I had names in my mind that I didn’t think would get metioned but did.  So I’m sorry I’m late and not adding as much.  But for me there are two classes of guys here – ones that were selfish, lazy and/or didn’t care as compared to ones that were more interested drinking/drugs than tapping into their talent. 

Lazy/selfish/ambivalent – Lloyd Daniels, Harold Miner and Sean Higgins

Drinking/drugs – Vin Baker and Roy Tarpley

Richard Dumas could go a bit in both – I get the impression that he did not really care partially because he enjoyed some banned substances.

Enigma award goes to Bo Kimble.  Amazing talent, lottery pick and tore up the league…for a month.  Then disappeared.

[tuck243Participant]

 Vince Carter?  He never wanted to be the "guy" and had so much talent…  I always felt like he could do more than he did…   Had the athleticism of Michael Jordan and a better 3 pt shot…  Smh…

[tuck243Participant]

 Vince Carter?  He never wanted to be the "guy" and had so much talent…  I always felt like he could do more than he did…   Had the athleticism of Michael Jordan and a better 3 pt shot…  Smh…

[Afactor4Participant]

 Shaun Livingston! May have been the best point guard in the league right now if it weren’t for injuries. Size, Athleticism, Passing skills, Great IQ. All he was missing was a consistent shot and a little more control

[Afactor4Participant]

 Shaun Livingston! May have been the best point guard in the league right now if it weren’t for injuries. Size, Athleticism, Passing skills, Great IQ. All he was missing was a consistent shot and a little more control

[HitsterParticipant]

Damon Stoudamire had 3 near or 20 ppg and 8/9 apg seasons at the start of his career and although he played all the way through to 2008, he never built on this and made an All Star game.

Players like Marbury and Francis are other guys who were great players in their earlier years but by the time they reached 30 were shadows of what they were whilst Steve Nash who was a good player in his 20’s became a double MVP and All Star in his 30’s.

Lamar Odom is an interesting one for me, he has always seemed like a very good 2nd/3rd option on a team, will do whatever role is needed, won titles and has had a good career, got decent contracts etc. He never struck me as the sort of guy you’d look to make a team focal point or be a legit 2nd star on a team. 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

Damon Stoudamire had 3 near or 20 ppg and 8/9 apg seasons at the start of his career and although he played all the way through to 2008, he never built on this and made an All Star game.

Players like Marbury and Francis are other guys who were great players in their earlier years but by the time they reached 30 were shadows of what they were whilst Steve Nash who was a good player in his 20’s became a double MVP and All Star in his 30’s.

Lamar Odom is an interesting one for me, he has always seemed like a very good 2nd/3rd option on a team, will do whatever role is needed, won titles and has had a good career, got decent contracts etc. He never struck me as the sort of guy you’d look to make a team focal point or be a legit 2nd star on a team. 

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 JaRon Rush

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 JaRon Rush

[Author]

Posts