Which case of a Legend being robbed from the game, do you find most severe?

It happens atleast once a decade, a potentially historical shattering player is lost..... which did you find to be most disheartening?


BY ERAS......

50's-60's​

OK so Im reading The Rivalry and they talk about this behemoth of a man with the athleticism to match it. He was either too big or too quick for everyone in the league. He was among the first to break the color barrier, the rebounding champ Russell's rookie year, made an All-NBA Team every year, a HOF, and the first black Rookie of the Year. His career was cut short due to a debilitating fall in the last game of the regular season. Oddly enough the man was able to get a double double in a playoff match (an off game), it wasnt till a few days after that the injury really begin to show its symptoms. He spent the rest of his life a paraplegic, and died of a heart attack not long thereafter. His name was Maurice Stokes.

What could've been;
This was such a different time that the historical context of things are bit fuzzy but heres what I can gather. Assuming Stokes stayed with the team (which is a pretty sure fire bet at the time) it would be 3 seasons before the time Big O joined. At which point he wouldve been 27, the prime of his career and in the ensuing years playing with Big O at the peak of his powers. You dont think that 7 game series against the Celtics tips in their favor now? If the Royals win even 1 championship that changes the fortune of 2 franchises and 2 of the games 8 or so best players. Bill Russell and Kareem (Big O probably stays put and in winning finally earns the respect he deserved).

70's​

Bill Walton - This should not come as a surprise to anyone. Big Red Pothead was lost to injury year after year. As a result we had finals with two mid 40 win teams, the uninteresting era of the 70's and if not for the merger, wouldve surely killed the league.

What could've been;
In the prime of his career he couldve been the Russell to Kareems Wilt, the era suddenly doesnt need Magic/Bird to save it, but I see no reason why they dont raise the games popularity to greater heights.

80's​

Len Bias - Coke killed him, the equivalent of a SF version of Michael Jordan or poor mans current Bron, at the very least another Dominique Wilkens type talent added to Larry Bird's Celtics. Thats like the Lakers getting Worthy while already possessing a championship squad, you know how that turned out.

What could've been;
The Celtics remained competitive regardless, but they maxed out the HOF'ers. A healthy Bias to carry the load keeps Larry and McHale from rushing back too soon from their injuries. Prolongs their window of opportunity another half decade. We miss out on some classic Bulls-Celtics ECF's and the East of the 90's is strengthened.

Late 80's - Early 90's​

Arvydas Sabonis - Ive already gone to great lengths explaining my hard on for Sabonis game. So I wont write too much here but even if we were to say hes overhyped, at the very least hes an All-Star Center, and dominant big for sure joining a team that most definitely couldve used his presence. Thats like adding Ewing in his prime to a team that already made the Finals without him. I think Ive said enough, we all know how well MJ's Bulls did against dominant C's.

MID 90's- Early 00's ​

Grant Hill & Penny Hardaway

Dont need to rehash, its still fresh in our minds. But what makes it hard with Penny is that he repeatedly tried to come back at different phases of his career and it effected his decision to leave to Phoenix. If he stays in his peak form he probably stays in Orlando so that alters Kidd's legacy. At the same time Orlando lands Grant Hill because Penny is no longer on the team, perhaps they keep Penny and sign Hill, leaving Tmac to sign in Miami. It really gets twisted when you start thinking too much about it so I just let it go. We all know what they meant considering it was like yesterday.

2000's ​

Alonzo Mourning - Our generation has generally consisted of bits and pieces of great players being taken away, and not so much of any 1 players entire career. Tmac and Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Yao. Its hard to say which is least a result of their own doing and their strengths as players, but losing Alonzo at the peak of his career to a kidney problem is pretty unfortunate IMO.

Its not like Zo never had a chance to win he was 30 when it all began crumbling down, but its more like the timing in which his absence came. I liken it to Willis Reed (Honorable Mention) being lost to injuries. Zo absence came at a time when the East was totally up for grabs and lacking a true contending team.

 

Who was that