The Top 10 RUINED Potentials of All Time

A breakdown of the top 10 most ruined potentials in NBA History... according to me, of course.
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
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#nba #basketball #finals

[@jonnyarnett]

Who takes the top spot on your list?

[@rylen_moore18]

I think Reggie Lewis could’ve really been great and might’ve even helped push the 80-90s Celtics to another ring or two

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

Unlike football, which has a pro and college hall of fame, basketball combines college and pro. If you just go by his nba numbers, NO WAY IS BILL WALTON A HALL OF FAMER. Bill Walton was a two time all star

[@colewrld901]

Broy and Oden, if healthy could've been a dynasty 😬 but len bias death potentially changed nba history

[@JoshWebster327]

I think Len Bias deserves a spot on the list but not number one because we didn’t even get to see one game of his in the NBA. He could’ve been great, but unfortunately there was also a chance he would’ve been Kwame Brown. If I made the list I’d probably give him an honorable mention

[@Intr0vertical]

Len and Reggie Lewis. Man we could've had our Tatum/Brown duo in the 90s. ( maybe better 👀)

[@GiveMeYourFACE9089]

I think you should've included Ralph Sampson. Dude was 7'4" with insane mobility and athleticism. Another case of a talented big man losing his career due to excessive injuries

[@FuShengAlex]

Should've been #1

[@kimtaka7]

Wembanyama could cpmplete sampson's dream, if not injured though.

[@timmyg831]

I totally agree with including Ralph Sampson. He and Olajuwon beat Magic, Kareem and Worthy 4-1 in the 1986 playoffs. If Sampson didn’t get injured in the following years, Lakers wouldn’t have won ‘87 and ‘88 finals.

[@adrianp.1195]

Just like Len Bias’s death, Ralph Sampson’s ailing knees change Basketball and NBA History.

[@swaymcthunder1219]

Crazy thing about sampson when he was playing with a young hakeem, sampson was the one playing PF while hakeem played C. We all know how hakeem's career panned out, but at the time ralph was considered the more athletic/ versatile one of the 2

[@trin3o]

Arvydas Sabonis. Best player ever outside NBA. Arrived to Portland at 32 and no knees, when the doctor saw him said, "He could qualify for a handicapped parking spot, based on the X-ray alone." Nevertheless, give us 16, 10, 3. Dude was a beast

[@klauswagner1607]

Nikos Galis played at the same time and was the better player in Europe.

[@charlieprince8671]

We're seeing him reborn in Jokic.

[@idipped2521]

He would have averaged 30 and 10 in his prime in the nba

[@klauswagner1607]

​@@charlieprince8671 The most assist per game of Sabonis in Europe was 2.9 and 3.0 in the NBA. Marc Gasol had a better career average than that.

[@YodaWannabEE]

@@klauswagner1607 So did Joakim Noah

[@joelco92]

Maurice Stokes had a hell of a friend in his teammate Jack Twyman. He not only started a foundation to raise money for all his medical expenses, but eventually became his legal guardian. Wow.

[@uberneanderthal]

both underrated and underappreciated all-time greats. Twyman would've led the league in scoring except for a man named Wilt.

[@sirochsittisombut1063]

Right, Can't ask for a better or true friend than this.

[@mongoslade277]

Why is that story not a movie??

[@talkingmoney4499]

@@mongoslade277 seriously ….

[@trin3o]

Dražen Petrović, best all around shooter I've ever seen in a jordan's brutal mentality. imagine this dude torching todays NBA. He left us too soon.

[@Chops_4114]

the 30 for 30 once brothers was my first time watching him. i wish i could of seen more from him. such a shame

[@nelnel2183]

Petrovic also played amazing defense. Seen highlights of him being a pest to Jordan and Pippen.

[@rucianapollard4057]

Reggie Miller said this guy was the best he played against

[@rucianapollard4057]

​@@Chops_4114I saw that documentary and I wish I could have seen him play in his prime

[@nelnel2183]

@@rucianapollard4057 then Steve Kerr said i think, that it wasn't fun guarding Petrovic lol

[@bolt7047]

Grant was such an amazing player. It's a shame injuries destroyed him.

[@keithjoseph128]

Crazy for someone to be destroyed and still have that career.

[@uberneanderthal]

he played 'the right way', too. tough on defense, unselfish on offense and a great spokesman off the court. he would've been an all-time great, for sure.

[@ImAlxxy]

He was cursed leaving the pistons

[@bolt7047]

@@keithjoseph128 yep even after injuries he was a solid roleplayer.

[@bolt7047]

@@uberneanderthal yep. He very easily could have been an MVP.

[@rig-zag]

Don't forget, alongside Len bias, Boston's Reggie Lewis also had huge potential cut short by an untimely death.

[@kevinhouse4376]

As a Celtics fan, I couldn't even watch the video when he started talking abut Len Bias. I remember how devastated I was when I first heard the news, and it is one of the greatest 'what ifs' in sports history.

[@Schlipsmut]

Ralph Sampson, Yao Ming, Bill Walton - sad stories but in some way maybe over time unavoidable issues of really big and heavy men. I think much more annoying are the many careers of the 70s and 80s that ended cause of drug abuse. Btw, Penny is my number 1, he was like a Mix of MJ and Magic when he came to the league.

[@tj5180]

Maurice stokes and Connie Hawkins

[@MarkLaw13]

Why is kawhi not on these lists

[@diogoo_2977]

@@MarkLaw13 and AD

[@MarkLaw13]

@@diogoo_2977 Yes but he hasn't got that dawg in him. He wasn't injured in the denver series he just didn't fight. He is always up and down. Kawhi is a constant on the floor. He almost never has a bad game.

[@JustTryingToYoutube]

@@MarkLaw13 non current players are more fitting

[@dennisc2154]

Larry Johnson is honorable mention... before 1994... He is also face of the nba... but back injury change all of that... his explosiveness suddenly missed after he injured his back and he rely more on outside shooting ....

[@Smoothyoki]

Larry Johnson was never the face of the league 😹

[@danielkopolovic7218]

Pete Maravich, reading in his autobiography about how messed up his knees were, it's a wonder he played as long as he did. But the fact that he left the Celtics the year Bird arrived leaves one of the most interesting "what ifs". Imagine Johnson, Maravich, Bird, McHale and Parish - full HOF starting five. Plus him and Bird, two of the best passers and shooters of all time would have been crazy along with Parish and McHale in the paint. *edit* as an afterthought, Pete also retired the first year the 3-point line was introduced. A healthy veteran maravich with that celtics team and a three point line, that's gotta be one of the greatest what-ifs in basketball history. Andrew Toney and Bernard King are two we never got to see the full potential of. *edit* (Adding Andrew Bynum, Arvydas Sabonis, and Andrew Bogut as well) And, in addition to Len Bias, the Celtics lost Reggie Lewis too when he was breaking out as a future star. So many questions about what the east would have looked like if both of those guys were able to play alongside twilight Bird and McHale. Even Bird is worthy of the list. His healthy years already put him in the GOAT conversation. What could he have done if his back wasn't completely wrecked for the latter half of his career. Just hire somebody to shovel mom's driveway. . . RIP to Drazen Petrovic as well.

[@franagustin3094]

Maravich at the place of Harden, Cp3 and Westbrook would have got 3 chips. He influented Isiah, White Chocolate, Magic, Curry, Iverson, Kyrie and Bird

[@tridra5714]

@@franagustin3094 no pistol was never as good as any of them

[@franagustin3094]

@@tridra5714 Yeah he was, he never carry or travel like those guys. He never choked with 2 Hof and with superteams like Cp3, Westbrook and Harden. Pistol nowadays would have been a tall curry, unstoppable

[@tj5180]

@@tridra5714 the fact you believe that statement is insane

[@JamesWoodring-mu2iz]

@@tridra5714 you do realize pistol still has the ncaa all time scoring avg. at lsu he averaged 44 points a game, and was a great scorer in the nba as well please dont comment on players you know nothing about

[@ltrigga219]

B Roy is still heart-breaking. Ron Artest called him the hardest assignment he ever had, too. That comeback game against the Mavs in the playoffs was one of the greatest quarters I ever remember sitting through. Penny briefly tied MJ as my favorite player in the mid 90s. I’m sure there were dozens of honorable mentions. Great list, thanks for calling some of these names to the attention of some of the younger crowd.

[@enriquerangelarguelles8564]

It was not Kobe who said that statement about defending Brandon Roy, it was Ron Artest, when he was playing with the Rockets and they faced the Blazers in the 2009 playoffs.

[@keithjoseph128]

Adding to the Kobe myths.

[@tj5180]

Kobe also said in 2010 that he was the most difficult player to guard

[@Bzzz-pm4pk]

Didnt kobe said that about Tmac

[@jeremydeluca9789]

@@Bzzz-pm4pk Yes, Kobe said that he always had the hardest time with McGrady

[@shay_z6059]

@@jeremydeluca9789 he also said later on that he could never figure out how to guard kd

[@tynanbarnes6506]

Greg Oden should absolutely be on this list. Him, LA, and Brandon Roy would have been and insane trio

[@Yabas00]

Blazers have such a tragic history outside of their 1 championship year

[@leonknight558]

The blazers will forever be cursed for passing up Jordan and Durant.

[@theonlygoodonehere2259]

@@leonknight558 who knows if they win with those guys, jordan is a question mark, but they don't win with durant

[@vernonleewarren280]

What about Reggie Lewis that played for the Celtics. I believe he would have been a great player as well. No one ever mentions this guy at all. He died tragically young from a heart problem

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Good point on Reggie Lewis. I heard that he was supposed to be the next great Celtic. What a shame.

[@Peakfreud]

💯

[@Peakfreud]

Only Celtic I liked at the time...

[@vernonleewarren280]

He was truly just starting to emerge as a star when he suddenly passed away

[@MegaMjjordan]

⁠@@ktapreswreckd921v9He was, and businesses/ basketball wise he was gonna be their new Len Bias except learning from an old Larry but sadly he passed too. Some seen him as the KD before KD apparently

[@osmelnoguerafigueroa8031]

I can’t get over D Rose 🥀

[@joejesus9902]

Ralph Sampson was the most gifted player to have his career derailed by injuries. He was truly a freak of nature and it’s tragic we never got to see his prime materialize

[@DeCurtaRican]

Uh, Bernard King, Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Sam Bowie, Roy Tarpley, Greg Oden, Danny Manning, Marques Johnson, and Michael Ray Richardson would like a word with you. Yes, Sampson was so fr3akishly gifted that he could have been the in the GOAT convo, but so were every one of the players I mentioned. ALSO, DID EVERYONE FORGET THAT DOMINIQUE WILKINS’S CAREER WAS ALSO DERAILED BY A GRUESOME (HAMSTRING) INJURY?

[@joejesus9902]

@@DeCurtaRican that’s a solid list you got there, I can’t argue with that. Grant hill and penny were absolutely filthy (in a good way) before their injuries

[@Smoothyoki]

@@DeCurtaRicanRalph had more potential than all of them

[@LocalManMakesMusic]

It’s crazy to think how the legends of the game were so blessed that not only were they born with incredible gifts but they also managed to build long careers without succumbing to something as simple as a sprained ankle that wouldn’t heal right. The goats of the game are truly one in a billion.

[@ryanlee122787]

This one hurt. Grant Hill was my favorite player as a kid and Tmac was my favorite as a teen.

[@wiiiz3]

i heard D-Rose was your favorite player in your 20s

[@lamarlatimore7802]

Drose working Lebron and Wade will forever be stuck in my mind as one of my all time favorite games

[@keithjoseph128]

Working? His shot selection and defense lost them the series. Even his game winner was horrible basketball.

[@FrokuBabayy]

@@keithjoseph128 Remind me again of who the youngest MVP is in NBA History who also carried the Bulls to a 60-win season?

[@Mazzawak]

​@@keithjoseph128 Boozer was the main reason they lost that series. Rose was definitely working both Wade and Bron. He wasn't dominating them but they went toe to toe. Dude was so phenomenal and still improving, he developed his 3pt game and his decision making considerably. I swear people just wanna hate for no reason.

[@keithjoseph128]

@@Mazzawak neither were guarding him. Miami did the same thing to Rose as Dallas did to Lebron. They just sagged off and he was lost. Kinda like you.

[@mongoslade277]

​@@keithjoseph128Are you sure LeBron didn't get the primary assignment on D Rose after he torched Wade in the Bulls game 1 win??

[@1976rmartin]

Penny Hardaway and Grant Hill are my, "What could have been..." players.

[@jrompolo5264]

Penny is my favorite player back in the 90s. would've love to see him reach his full potential, but the injuries prevented this.

[@chiefs816kc]

This is what separates Jonny's channel other KZbinrs, First Take, Undisputed, etc. Jonny thinks of unique undiscussed topics.

[@fortynights1513]

Yep. Most channels only discuss what’s trending, and they don’t give audiences a read to watch them specifically over other channels who discuss the same topics.

[@richborn6700]

To be fair First Things First is the best of those three. Easily the best chemistry on sports television

[@FlymoufDiction]

Awesome list. Len Bias at #1 is correct....

[@mrbean3470]

I remember T-Mac being just unstoppable. People give him crap for all the first round losses, but the fact that he took the Pistons to 7 games was a Herculean effort in 2003.

[@richardw3347]

u could say he was the best on this list overall as a player. at least he got to play up to his potential for a few years. Grant Hill and Rose are my big what ifs. Roy was good too.

[@cafelatte1124]

He was good but he choked in the playoffs even when he was healthy.

[@richardw3347]

@@cafelatte1124 I saw him play live. he either went inside for a dunk or shot long J`s . that is not sustainable in tight playoff games you need a strong mid range game too, etc. He had the ability to that but wasn't`t consistent.

[@Smoothyoki]

@@richardw3347this is just a lie, we’ve seen this is not true because of Steph curry, Jamal Murray, etc

[@richardw3347]

@@Smoothyoki its good to have a well rounded game whoever you are. Steph can hit all shots: mid, close, etc. McGrady can too but sometimes he took too many long ones. Kobe, Kawhi, Jordan all had great mid range games. Just like great 3 point shooting teams in March madness. you go cold one game and you can get bounced.

[@marejov83]

I feel you've missed Arvydas Sabonis. In context of the NBA, his potential to play in NBA was ruined by the times and politics. But I feel we were all robbed not seeing Arvydas in his prime in the NBA.. And to add one more.. My idol when I was a kid in Yugoslavia. Great late Drazen. I know I might be missing the point of the video.. But death for sure is ruining someone's potential more than an injury.

[@mikek7050]

Bill Walton is one of the most forgotten players in NBA history. I feel like the 70s were a superstar drought, until the merger, but he was Jokic before Jokic. Nothing he couldn't do on the floor, and maybe the best passing big man of all time. So glad he got to end his career with the Celtics, and be a great veteran presence for arguably the greatest team of all time.

[@darioja2469]

Agree with everything except best passing big man ever. That tittle belongs to Jokic and it’s not even close

[@mikek7050]

@@darioja2469 Saying Jokic is the best passing bigman is a liile bt being a prisoner of the momet. I'm not saying he isn'tk but there were certainly some guys from eras past, when big men were more important, I mean, Wild Chamverlain led the league in assists once year.

[@Smoothyoki]

Yeah but Walton was actually good at defence

[@JelaniWood]

Great list. Brought back all of sads since I started watching NBA in the mid 80's

[@animeguitarguy]

Deron Williams was an interesting one for me. Super fun to watch and used to light Chris Paul up in the days where CP was considered the best pg

[@gsrindictment2547]

Both were Actually Said 2B’ the Best Point Guards!…But Paul was More Popular & Stood Out More on Defense with his Steals Numbers, while Deron was the Much Better Shooter, Scorer, Averaged Slightly Higher Assist Totals & Made it to the PlayOffs Yearly!…Their Rivalry was Much Like Bird & Magic Except Williams got Injured B4 his Prime Years!…

[@officialconch]

Penny Hardaway was psychologically destroyed after losing to Allen Iverson in 1999 as a 1st seed. The Magic tied the best record in the East but had the best record against other teams in the eastern conference. As far as I’m concerned, they were the real 1st seed. Penny, despite missing the All Star Team (Iverson selected over him for his first appearance), averaged a career high in minutes and rebounds per game, the second most steals per game in his career, and his normal production in blocks and assists. His PPG were only a tick below his previous all star season and both round out to 16 a night. There was no indication he was “washed” until Iverson gave him 37 and 9 in the close out game, while he shot only 3/17 and never put on a Magic uniform again. Iverson blew up the remaining of that Shaq-led finals team and Horace Grant, Nick Anderson would also depart the organization.

[@tdude3164]

Bro the bulls haven't been the same since that drose injury 😢

[@delonehayes7070]

I think we would have won the chip that season if he didn't get injured. Even if not he would have been a champion at some point.

[@tdude3164]

@@delonehayes7070 100% would of won the chip that year. We had all the right pieces. Please someone give drose ja morants knees

[@MrReese]

I am still sad when I think of Rose, 10+ years later :X. He would have made the Bulls a proper contender for the entirety of the decade and beyond.

[@simonforrest2522]

It broke my heart what happened to Penny.. That dude was absolutely sensational for Orlando along with young Shaq. Still one of my all time faves

[@rucianapollard4057]

Penney Hardaway was Kobe before Kobe!

[@gregd806]

I'm here! What A great Video!

[@3631956406]

Larry Bird is SO GREAT that he is one of the top 10 players of all time even with the injury that (kind of) ruined his career.

[@jonathangonzales4115]

Chill bra. His nickname is Larry legend. But yes, him building his mothers yard by himself did hurt him some

[@PunisherNYCC]

Bernard King should be number 1. He was a scoring machine. He could have played with Patrick Ewing in NY. The potential for a championship was incredible. He should be top three on this list

[@ninoschouten9727]

Man you are grinding, a video every other day. Appreciate it!

[@YSHRHAKING]

Great vid as usual. It's the Jonny formula! At first it makes you think "There are no surprises on this list? Seen it all before." Then as you keep watching, you can't help but wonder who will be next on the list and you're reminded of players you forgot about! Great job!

[@keithjoseph128]

It's really sad the debate show era had absolutely no idea how good Shaun Livingston was.

[@august6281]

aside from the obvious players, i have Amare here. #32 Amare was a beast but due to his early injury and changing to #1, poked eyes and playing with googles, he became a more well rounded player but a lesser beast. That #32 will be a HOF if he had the original trajectory.

[@mattcomer6379]

I think he would've made the NBA 75 if he would have stayed healthy. Even then he still made 5 All NBA teams and was a 6 time all star

[@dyinbreedmedia4345]

Your videos are wonderful and informative. Have you ever thought about who was the best wing player in the league during Jordan's first retirement?

[@jimmorris1424]

I will always and always be heartbroken about D 🌹. I still remember watching this man live. Unbelievable. Never seen someone so quick, athletic and powerful.

[@cnelsonlv99]

Rose is for sure #1 on this list... anybody suggesting it's someone else is utterly clueless! Dude hadn't even come close to his full potential, and was already arguably the most dominant force in the NBA. Heart-breaking as a fan, but more than that, a huge loss for the NBA.

[@chanendlerbong]

Ralph Sampson is missing on this list, also D-Rose should have been #1

[@Seahawks1115]

I know he never played in the NBA or even College but Ben Wilson had a lot of potential

[@rucianapollard4057]

He and Len Bias are the 2 biggest "What If" athletes of all time! RIP to them both

[@balkeym1309]

There gotta be a Drazen Petrovic... 30 years ago this day, the tragedy happened. But yeah, no one knows how Mozart would've done, especially after he had his best season in '93

[@user-jw5qj8kv2y]

Come to think of it, Derrick Rose and Penny Hardaway have something in common that they graduated from the University of Memphis.

[@Kingbossdon]

You hit all them on the money see this is why I'm a faithful subscriber love all your videos Johnny

[@nefariousmex2352]

Penny Hardaways my fav

[@nahtzeelover4248]

hey Jonny, nice vid even though i haven't watched it yet

[@nebbalf]

Honorable mention to Shawn Kemp. Sure it wasn't injury that slowed his career down, rather it was a combination of personal demons and food. It was in any case wasted potential.

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Definitely understand you! Kemp should have been the type of player he was in the 96 Finals for years to come . But instead the weight and the personal demons took hold as you stated.

[@mongoslade277]

I think those personal demons is keeping Shawn Kemp from the Hall of Fame. He was the man on those great Seattle teams not Payton but Gary Payton is in the HOF. Kemp was the most outstanding player of the 1996 finals even though Chicago won. He was fabulous

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

@@mongoslade277 Much agreed. In my honest opinion, it should have been a Jerry West situation again. If you know what I am talking about?

[@mongoslade277]

@@ktapreswreckd921v9 I know what you're talking about & Kemp should've been Finals MVP like Jerry West. Jordan only shot like 40% in that series but there was no one else to give it to

[@alecboulton3537]

WAKE UP BABE JONNY DROPPED

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

We saw Grant Hill play up to the middle of his prime. His injuries started at age 28, his 7th season. Bill Walton was certainly headed to a top 5-8 center of all time. Possibly the best defensive player of that era, one of the best rebounders, the best passing big man, and just a great all around player. He didn't have explosive scoring which is why top 5 center would be difficult. Rose would have been great. He played only to 22 before injuries. At age 22 his per 75 possession stats were 27pts 8 ast & lead the league in offensive box plus minus. I would put Rose above Len Bias because we at least saw Rose was indeed for sure headed to top 20 all time if he kept up his improvements. Rose is like Ja Morant if Ja could actually finish near the basket as well as Rose

[@lamarlatimore7802]

If Klay never got injured we would still be potentially looking at a Dynasty

[@andrewcook1246]

Healthy Klay means Warriors threepeat '19

[@michaelbarnes2126]

Yeah Len Bias would have been a monster with the Celtics and it would have expanded Larry's career maybe. Also Brandon Roy is another sad one. I watched him a lot he was incredible even after all those surgeries and injuries. His last playoff game he went crazy

[@lamarlatimore7802]

A healthy Kawhi can shutdown Lebron and Bully Kevin Durant. The West would have flowed differently if the clipper were healthy

[@tridra5714]

kd dropped 50 on kawhi and lebron averaged 28 points on 60 percent shooting on kawhi. That being said kawhi is possibly the greatest man defender ever however he already had a chance with the clippers where he blew a 3-1 lead to the nuggets after hyping up the battle for la then the next year the clips went down 2-0 to the jazz after winning a series vs the mavs that shouldn't have even gone that far kawhi got injured before game 5 of the jazz series.

[@kp9593]

Those stats you giving probably inaccurate. But kawhi been healthy he is full of crap.

[@wilt7505]

Define shutdown 😂 Kawhi is an all time great but when did he shutdown LeBron

[@bobharley1]

@@tridra5714 The 2014 finals run made Kawhi's reputation as a Lebron stopper until he became more of a scorer in Toronto and his knees failed him. Also helped that he was in a system with insane ball movement while Lebron had an aging roster.

[@shay_z6059]

@@wilt7505 tell me yur a casual without telling me yur a casual

[@mchild80]

I love your list. I was really expecting to see Ralph Sampson on this list. From 83-87 he had a better career than Yao even though Akeem was taking away a lot of his points. He led a team to the finals in his 3rd season while gentlemen sweeping the NBA Champion Lakers and making Kareem officially look old. Hes always been my biggest what if because he and Olajuwon were poised to dominate the west for the unforeseeable future.

[@ThePrufessa]

I'm mad Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf didn't make his list and I think he should have been higher.

[@averyce2]

Great video. Two glaring omissions: Jay Williams (CHI) and Sam Bowie (POR). Their careers were cut short with tremendous potential for greatness. Grant Hill, Tracey McGrady and Bill Walton were all recognized during and after their long and iconic careers as HOF'ers; their potential was met or exceeded.

[@mongoslade277]

NONSENSE. That jason wiiiliams did Nothing for the Bulls when he played. That's why the next season they drafted Kirk Hinrich the point guard outta Kansas in the 1st round. The Bulls could've voided his contract for riding a motorcycle. They shouldn't have paid his dumbass. Only Portland would've drafted Bowie as the 2nd overall pick. Missed 2 seasons at Kentucky with a broken foot. Portland drafted LaRue Martin & Bill Walton & Mychal Thompson with the #1 overall pick. None of those centers worked out so they draft "fragileman" with the 2nd overall pick. That's just dumb

[@nemodeniro3947]

Great video idea

[@Lloyd00]

Brandon Roy was destined for greatness. So sad. I loved watching him play

[@silvianosanchez8430]

Your choices were great. I would add, Michael Ray Richardson (Drugs), Drazen Petrovic (Car accident), Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (American Racism), and Reggie Lewis (Heart Issues).

[@Peakfreud]

Rauf, was done dirtier than any NBA player in history. If they did what they did to him in 2023, the entire NBA would be cancelled

[@direkramseychikboy9102]

Ron Harper was a phenomenal star in Cavs and Clippers. His injury ruined him. He got rings as a supporting cast in Jordan led Bulls.

[@uberneanderthal]

I'd put Alex Groza #1. as a rookie, he was already the 2nd best player in the league to Mikan, and no one else was even close. he got banned from the NBA for a college point-shaving scandal which he was probably bullied into participating in as a kid, completely unfair. same with Bill Spivey, who had the potential to be Wilt before Wilt but never even got a chance in the NBA.

[@tj5180]

He’s a another what if I’ve never heard of outside of Maurice Stokes.

[@xfacta334]

Connie Hawkins comes to mind as well due to being falsely accused.

[@bretskywater774]

Totally agree I was thinking the same thing as I was reading. This article and probably took two championships minimum away from the Celtics. Those two players in a five year. Passing away crazy

[@patrickbump5955]

Great video. I would also include LMU’s Hank Gathers on this list. He was a force as a forward during this college career who would’ve had a tremendous NBA career. He tragically died while playing in his Junior year. He was a very good, positive young man. RIP.

[@frankpagel39]

Maybe Drazen Petrovic (died due to car accident) is missing on this list.

[@YourFitnessQuest]

Nice list. I've always been a big Derrick Rose fan. I made a top 100 NBA players of all time list and was sad to realize that he was the only MVP winner who couldn't quite make the rank in the top 100. I still root for him and have great empathy for any player who's potential was derailed due to injuries.

[@kingko3897]

Other players that could've been on the list: Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson, Dražen Petrović (that early 90's Nets team had great young talent), Ralph Sampson, Larry Johnson, Bernard King, Reggie Lewis, Sidney Moncrief, Steve Francis, Baron Davis, Shawn Kemp, Gilbert Arenas, John Wall, Andrew Bynum, Mark Price, Jamal Mashburn, Jimmy Jackson, Glenn Robinson, Brad Daugherty, Danny Granger, Tim Hardaway, Kevin Johnson, Deron Williams, Ron Harper, Juwan Howard, Bobby Hurley, Vin Baker, Antonio McDyess, Lamar Odom, Blake Griffin.

[@mikiec125]

Crazy part tmac had injuries since highschool. He had a back issue along with others.

[@honestabe4768]

Great list. I think you nailed it. Personally, i would probably have Yao at 1 or 2 just b/c of the impact he had globally. He singlehandedly created a path into the largest untapped market in the world. Very few, if any, have had that kind of impact. Just imagine if he had a 10-12 year NBA career.

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

For the record, Duke players almost always under-achieve in the NBA. So many national player of the year award winners and top draft picks resulted in becoming bench/role players in the NBA. Turns out they were "System" guys who were no good outside of coach K's system.

[@mongoslade277]

EXCEPT for Grant Hill that statement is true. On the other hand look at how well the North Carolina players under Dean Smith did in the NBA. That's bc he held them back. They weren't allowed to show everything. The NBA was easy for them

[@florianpoulin7108]

I would have mentionned too : -Drazen Petrovic (along side with Len Bias) -Ron Harper (was able to challenge Jordan when he was full potential) -Tim Hardaway (unstoppable with his quick fist step) -Patrick Ewing (Even if he lost the 1994 NBA finals, he was diminished and injuried during the 1999 NBA finals and the Knicks lost... But Robinson was also and win)

[@mongoslade277]

At least Robinson played in that 1999 Finals. Patrick Ewing couldn't

[@florianpoulin7108]

@@mongoslade277 Yeah but in 1999 Robinson was the shadow of what he was before, and became champion without carrying his team.

[@mapotooo6583]

Honorable mentions for potentialy better careers if not the early injuries: Arvydas Sabonis, Peja Stojakovic, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson etc.

[@baseballruler0344]

grew up in the mid-late 2000s and brandon roy made me fall in love with the game, was scared that he wouldn’t be on this list lol

[@WarioSaysSo]

33# Grant Hill was a major prospect who had a lot of potentials to become great star in the NBA, but injurues killed his best career days and after a few years lost all that. His rookie seasons in the Detroit Pistons was some great time to see him play.

[@idsassi]

If you put Len Bias first, you have to put Reggie Lewis, afro-american small forward like Bias who was drafted 1 year after by the Celtics too, becoming the 4th man of the famous Celtics trio and the captain after Bird retirement, and died very sadly of an heart attack in the 1993 playoffs

[@jonnyarnett]

Definitely could be on an honorable mentions list. I just thought the potential of Bias was much higher. Lewis had already spent 6 seasons in the league, and he was almost 28 when he died. At that point, we had a pretty decent idea of what kind of player he was

[@markjackson6431]

@@jonnyarnett a video on Dream Team 2 (94 FIBA Team) PLEASE

[@rapgodreloaded9259]

What about Sam Bowie? he could've been Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid and Giannis of the 80s

[@kyreljones7185]

the Celtics already had a 4th man to the trio and that was Dennis Johnson

[@tj5180]

@@kyreljones7185 by then johnson was aging and past his prime

[@MORON_Gaming]

Drazen Petrovik would have been in the goat conversation if he never died.

[@chrisphillips348]

Hands down it’s David Thompson!! Even before I watch this!!

[@erelschechter7632]

Where is Ja and Zion😅

[@bolt7047]

Ja is still doing good. Off the court stuff isn't impacting his play on the court.

[@alecboulton3537]

@@bolt7047 ja ab to get the first 82 game suspension 😂

[@999lilo]

Zion give him 5 Years max to see what happens hopefully he stays healthy tho

[@123shotas]

​@@bolt7047he a 🤡

[@123shotas]

​@@999lilo"Next Lebron James" 😂

[@tkbrohey4260]

Hank Gathers dude was a beast with Loyola Marymount.

[@doursiesel9867]

Could add Bernard King to this list. He was a baller for NYK before the injuries

[@JamesWoodring-mu2iz]

as a nba fan for 50 years its thompson all day long, hel_ even mj modeled his game after thompsons . great career cut short by bad decesions jmop thanks for the vid .shout out to rose and hill also great players

[@rezarfar]

D Rose is the biggest what if in NBA history and one of the biggest in sports history. Man is the youngest MVP in NBA history. He was on course to be in the GOAT discussion.

[@pkfreeze175]

Solid list. A guy who deserves being mentioned is Andrew Toney aka The Boston Strangler.

[@michaelthreepeat]

Great list. Only the experts put Len Bias, very nice. Some honorable mentions: Arvydas Sabonis, Mahmud Abdul Rauf, Greg Oden, Vin Baker, Ben Gordon, Rodney Rogers, Johnathan Bender, Richard Dumas, Eddie Griffin, and soon Ja Morant

[@mongoslade277]

Good list but people like Bias & Washburn & Keith Lee and William Bedford & Tarpley I won't put on a list like this. Their wounds were self inflicted

[@michaelthreepeat]

@@mongoslade277 good point

[@mongoslade277]

@@michaelthreepeat Forgot about Richard Dumas also. Not from the 80's but he had a bad problem. Morant is from a rural part of South Carolina but he's a wannabe gangsta. What if Abdul Rauf was blacklisted. Ben Gordon was a walking bucket. Man he could shoot. Rodney Rogers the physical force. Funny how Vin Baker replaced Kemp in Seattle with the same alcohol & food issues. I remember Eddie Griffin outta Seton Hall but don't really know his story

[@michaelthreepeat]

@@mongoslade277 oh, gow could I forget him, Royce White !

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Shawn Kemp should have been a all-star type player until the year of 2007 or 2008. But instead weight and issues ruined it 😔.

[@MrKinsenas]

Clicked as fast as I could!

[@nathanlawson313]

Prime Grant Hill was so good that he IS in the Hall of Fame ...and still on this list. He was on his way to top 10 (possibly top 5 player) of all time.

[@Mektek19]

Before even watching the guys that come to mind are Ralph Sampson, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, and Derrick Rose.

[@RamboCommando69]

As a Bulls fan seeing D-Rose get injured over and over again was the most painful thing that could have happened to him. If Rose had not gotten injured so much he maybe could have led the Bulls to some championships

[@showtimenick824]

Lol Bill Walton's injury history is enough to even make Anthony Davis blush.

[@OrhanEfeOzenc]

We can name many, like Oscar Schmidt and Nikos Gallis, in addition to the ones mentioned in the comments below. I have two for myself: 1) Connie Hawkins and 2) Bob Kurland. I could also add Marvin Barnes, Reggie Harding, Hank Gathers, etc. but those two could have changed the landscape of the NBA altogether in their respective eras - btw, the 60's weren't supposed to be such a one-sided decade, it wasn't just meant to be more colorful, because of the absence of Hawkins, Stokes, Bob Rule and many other 'casualties'.

[@showtimenick824]

More people need to learn about Maurice Stokes so we can stop with the plumbers and janitors BS!!!!!! I'm glad you made a separate video on him and brought him up again here.

[@kevzter15]

crazy to not see any drazen petrovic or paul george on this list. Drazen could’ve been a top 5 scorer comparable to bron, Mj, kd, kobe, etc, and paul george would’ve been a top 4-5 SF OAT if he never had that leg injury, he was going toe to toe with miami bron in 2013 and 2014

[@rafaelraad555]

I always had Grand Hill, T-Mac and Penny more or less tied in first place. I have both Kway and AD somewhere in the middle tier I also have Zion in my list. Dont want to be negative but he hasnt been healthy.

[@ernel7261]

Andrew Toney. If he didn't get those injuries, he'd be in the HoF and probably have more than 1 championship.

[@robwasilewski9273]

Reggie Lewis should also be on this list

[@jameshunt3651]

Great list! I wonder if there was any consideration for players like Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, or even Larry Bird. Players that had great careers but all had chronic injuries (coincidentally all back injuries) that held them back from their full potential. Makes sense they aren’t on the list, but would they have made a top 15?

[@betterthanyesterday3912]

That blue Nuggest jersey David Thompson is wearing is AWESOME

[@kck08bro30]

Awesome video bro! But no Gilbert Arenas!?

[@unvunb7157]

Grant Hill

[@ryanscaggs1674]

If Len Bias doesn't OD and Reggie Lewis doesn't have heart failure, them and Jordan would've gone toe to toe in the 90s and Jordan likely doesn't have 6 rings. Their deaths would be the equivalent of Durant/Westbrook or Curry/Klay dying before ever playing and we all know how much that would've impacted Lebron's legacy, possibly 2 more rings, probably another MVP as well in '14. It's crazy how tragic deaths have shaped NBA history.