Best NBA Players Held Down by Injuries

[nyalum]

The unfortunate passing of Bill Walton got me thinking about who the best players in NBA history are whose careers were severely hampered by injuries. Guys that make you think "If only he didn't get hurt..." Obviously, Walton was one of them. As a Knick fan, I would also mention Bernard King and Derrick Rose later on. King's mid-range game was devastating. Greatest pure scorer in NYK history. Pair him with Ewing and the sky would have been the limit.

[thelasallelunatic]

Greg Oden
Penny
Grant Hill
J Will
Lonzo Ball
Derrick Rose

At least Walton and Rose were able to win MVPs.

JWill got 1 season. Greg Oden played like 100 games.

Penny would've been all time good. Grant Hill played a long career, but he was a shell of himself for half of it.

It's crazy, that despite all the advanced technology, career threatening injuries are still a thing.

[calsufan]

Bernard King was a very good player. I always liked his game even if he was a Knickerbocker.

I don't think Lonzo Ball belongs in that list. He was an okay player in college, but it was more his Daddy's hype than anything else. I don't think he would have been anything more than a solid starter, not a star.

Ralph Sampson belongs on that list. He was skinny but talented.

You left off Lionel.

[thelasallelunatic]

I forgot about Lionel.

Still one of the best kings of all time.

I just think it's weird that a meniscus may end Lonzo's career.

Very ugly jumpshot.

[mookie]

May 28, 2024 10:49:16 GMT -5 calsufan said:

Bernard King was a very good player. I always liked his game even if he was a Knickerbocker.

I don't think Lonzo Ball belongs in that list. He was an okay player in college, but it was more his Daddy's hype than anything else. I don't think he would have been anything more than a solid starter, not a star.

Ralph Sampson belongs on that list. He was skinny but talented.

You left off Lionel.

I go back and forth on Lonzo for the same reason BUT his value really showed with the Bulls. He was a true PG and made the engine go AND his 3pt shooting increased every year to the point he was making I think 3 a game @ >40%. So never a big time scorer but his shooting and playmaking skills were likely undervalued despite his father’s megaphone.

[olneyman]

Andrew Toney, the “Boston Strangler” developed foot issues as his career was peaking. Team doubted the true extent of his injury for some time.

Someone has deservedly mentioned Lionel, but not our own Kenny Durrett. Kenny never had the pro career expected after the knee injury suffered his senior year against Canisius. Still a high first round draft choice (4th in the draft even after the injury). Some claimed Kenny was Jordan before Jordan for his all court ability. Not sure about that, but he was amazing to watch on the court.

[23won]

Ken Durrett. #4 overall pick

[theneumann64]

Does Maravich warrant a mention on here? Or was he already a victim of circumstance (being on terrible teams) before injuries derailed his pro career?

[GlitterBro #2]

Does Len Bias count?

[explorer88]

Yao Ming

[glorydays]

Lucious (Luke) Jackson was the prototypical power forward for the Sixers when the ran through the NBA in 66-67. You have to be old to remember this guy. He was on our ‘64 Olympic team. Done in by an Achilles tear…I think…

[pcl1986]

Sam Bowie

[MisterD]

Feels like Brandon Roy is always mentioned by other players as this exact type of guy.

[roaddog77]

In my opinion, Larry Johnson and Ron Harper were All Stars before their injuries.