That reminds me of another bust... Chris Jackon was also on that LSU team with Shaq and Roberts. CJ made both Shaq and Robert look second and third best at that time. Picked 3rd by Denver
His second passing if I recall. There was also a guy, Richie Dumas (?), from OK State I think who came out of nowhere for 1-2 exciting seasons but then succumbed to a life of drugs.
Dumas, he dunked all over Scottie Pippen in the 93 Finals. I will never forget it. He was a ridiculous leaper.
TragediesDeaths) 1)Bobby Phills 2)Drazen P. 3)Malik Sealy 4)Reggie Lewis 5)Yinka Dare (In no specfic order)
i did not mean to put a "sad face" smilie.. i meant to put a colon after tragedies and a ( before "deaths"
What happened to Mycheal Thompson who was picked #1 in the 1978 draft (six ahead of the Junior, Larry Bird)?
Oh how could we forget Rudy T his career was definitely derailed after ‘the punch’. It's probably not that big of a tragedy to non-Rocket fans, but for us I believe it deserves mention.
I would take the word "unfortunate" literally, and would have to exclude self-inflicted career demise (i.e. - drug use, shooting your chauffer, being an all-around ******* like Vernon Maxwell). Under that definition, I think my top three would be: 1. Drazen P. - not only a great player, but a funny guy with a bright future that could have change the international face of the game. Truly tragic. 2. Bobby Hurley - so much talent. People predicted this guy would redefine the point guard. His passing skills were amazing, and he was a fearless shooter. He may have survived the accident, but his game died that night. 3. Rudy T. - To have a talented and popular player's career ended due to a cheap shot is just tragic. Rudy was completely blameless and really couldn't have done anything to save himself. He found redemption as a coach, but as a player, he will forever be remembered for being victimized on court, which takes away from his ball skills and makes it doubly sad.
Probably the 'most unfortunate' thread title in the history of the NBA Dish, that I started. Inadvertant, tried to be respectful, but still made a horrible pun without meaning to.
Don't forget the death of Malick Sealy as well. That was very unfortunate. If I remember correctly, he was just beginning to play extremely well before the accident.
Anyone remember when he stopped taking the medication for turret's syndrome? He had uncontrolable twitches on the court, but, amazingly, it didn't affect his shooting/passing/ect.
Bobby Hurley would have been a nice back-up point guard and maybe later a coach. I believe he is coaching. He was not going to redefine the position though.
What are people's opinion of Magic Johnson? Would the ending of his career be consider 'unfortunate' despite the fact that it was due to his off the court behavior? When he was diagnosed with HIV he still had game left...
He had game when he left in 1996, he easily could have played two more seasons under the right circumstance.
Another the add to the unfortunate/tragedy list is Brian Williams aka Bison Dele. He was pretty talented but never put it all togather plus he retired early as his own choice. Disappeard mysteriously, possibly murdered, on a boat trip about 2 years ago.
Bill Walton's career could have been so much more if not for his feet. Michael Ray Richardson if not for coke. Len Bias if not for coke.
