Wasted Primes

[Black and White]

List players that were in their prime, but were in a crappy situation so it ended up getting wasted.


I will start:

Charles Barkley

[Le Shaqtus]

T Mac

[USABall]

Grant Hill

[zoom17]

KG

[TheReal Kendall]

Derrick Rose

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Well since you guys took all the good ones.

D-rob

[Black and White]

Gilbert Arenas

[oarabbus]

Wilt

[aj1987]

Wade and Kobe.

[Black and White]

Iverson?

[Lebron23]

Kevin Garnett in Minny. The Joe Smith situation really F*cked them up.

[Stringer Bell]

Kareem was the best player of the 70s, but was stuck on some poor Milwaukee teams from 75-79.

[HOoopCityJones]

Kobe Bryant.

It's like Jerry and Mitch took a vacation after Shaq left or something.

[Black and White]

Would people consider Melos prime wasted?

[BigMacAttack]

Ray Allen
KG
The truth

[AnaheimLakers24]

melo is wasting his right now

[BigMacAttack]

Would people consider Melos prime wasted?

Not because of his situation.

[HylianNightmare]

aaron afflalo

[Black and White]

Ray Allen
KG
The truth

Their primes got wasted but they came together and got it done :cheers:

[Jameerthefear]

aaron afflalo
:lol

[Black and White]

Kevin Martin?

[Project018]

Tmac

[BigMacAttack]

Their primes got wasted but they came together and got it done :cheers:

Yeah no doubt, ability wise they were probably still pretty similar to their primes but injuries hurt them after the first one.

Imagine had they all been 2 years younger....three peat?

[Milbuck]

Any Bobcats player in his prime.

[Black and White]

Yeah no doubt, ability wise they were probably still pretty similar to their primes but injuries hurt them after the first one.

Imagine had they all been 2 years younger....three peat?

Yea it would have been 2 rings minimum, the team was basically perfect, insane defensively, if Rondo was in his prime with them?? Game over

[allball]

Kareem was the best player of the 70s, but was stuck on some poor Milwaukee teams from 75-79.

:coleman:

Kareem was with the Lakers from 75-79

[VIP2000]

Mitch Richmond

[Milbuck]

Kareem was the best player of the 70s, but was stuck on some poor Milwaukee teams from 75-79.
stop

[9512]

I agree with derrick rose, grant hill, and tmac.

Also...

Penny hardaway

[Micku]

Bob Mcadoo. He lead the league in points, FG% and 15.1 rpgs in his prime. He average over 30 ppg on over 12 rebounds for three straight seasons. average 30.6, 34.5, and 31.1 ppg in his prime.

Injuries and being on bad teams was a waste of his talents.

[livingby3's]

Would U guys consider Jason Kidd?

[MrC1991]

Al Jefferson.

[houston]

No player really waste their prime. They chose to be in whatever situation they are in.

[Marchesk]

Oscar Robertson.

[YouGotServed]

Dwight Howard in Los Angeles.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Jeremy Lin

[Magic 32]

Hard to claim that Kobe wasted his prime (01-10), but he certainly wasted most of his peak (06-08).

The 2006 Kobe on the 2009 Lakers...

https://31.media.tumblr.com/5249b0824747f748866851cc3a5fdd27/tumblr_inline_mzmvqjVbOt1sst51v.gif

[Joyner82reload]

IDK about prime, but LeBron's peak is about to be wasted playing in the wake of Durant entering his early prime

[NustABut]

Shareef Abdur-Rahim

[Cold soul]

Kobe wasted his peak on garbage rosters.

[Jameerthefear]

Shaq: wasted some of his prime with Kobe.

[longhornfan1234]

Wade.

[Milbuck]

Wade.
I was just thinking Wade. His peak from 2008-2010 was destroyed by horrible teams. Lebron came in pretty much exactly after his peak.

[MrC1991]

Shaq: wasted some of his prime with Kobe.
:lol :lol :lol this made me laugh pretty good.

[Black Mamba's B]

Michael Finley?

Side note: after waiting damn near 2 years to register I can finally ****ing post!!

[navy]

No player really waste their prime. They chose to be in whatever situation they are in.
NBA players are drafted.....

[Marchesk]

Adrian Dantley?

Finally gets to be on a title contender (Pistons) and they trade him for Mark Aquire.

[RightToCensor]

LMA

[ihoopallday]

Kwame Brown
Sam Bowie

[Al Thorton]

Tom Chambers

[Black Mamba's B]

latrell Sprewell at golden state
Jason Richardson at g state for a few years
Loy Vaught - clippers

[East_Stone_Ya]

Howard

[Alan Ogg]

Wade

[La Frescobaldi]

No player really waste their prime. They chose to be in whatever situation they are in.

Better read up friend.

http://www.thebigo.com/AboutOscarRobertson/OscarRobertsonRule.php

Even today those contracts are mighty powerful for their time limit

[Cold soul]

Wade.

Great choice. I forgot about Wade.

[kNIOKAS]

No player really waste their prime. They chose to be in whatever situation they are in.
I guess you're another laissez-faire guy transcending that shit to basketball. Yeah right on doe

Michael Finley?

Side note: after waiting damn near 2 years to register I can finally ****ing post!!
Congrats, love to see you here. You could be the single normal person out of pretty much the class of alts.

latrell Sprewell at golden state
Jason Richardson at g state for a few years
Loy Vaught - clippers
I don't think Jason Richardson was ever that good to be on the list. He's one of those guys who never took the next step, I doubt that he'd done that in a different situation (well maybe Spurs would have made him a basketball player). Who is Loy Vaught?

[moaz]

No love for Chris Webber?

[coin24]

Anyone teaming up in there prime:oldlol:

[SHAQisGOAT]

KG
Pistol Pete
Kareem
Pierce
...

[Ancient Legend]

Shaq: wasted some of his prime with Kobe.

This has a ring of truth to it. If Kobe hadn't sabotaged the 2004 finals Shaq would have had another ring and FMVP.
To be fair, LeBron also cost prime Wade a ring in 2011, but that was their first year together, still meshing.

[comerb]

Would people consider Melos prime wasted?

No, he's not good enough to win a ring as a #1.

[GOATbe]

Wade, Bosh. LeBald turned them into spot up shooting role players.

[Kukoc]

Karl Malone?

But atleast he stayed loyal to the Jazz

Unlike some guy from Akron, Ohio

[moe94]

Karl Malone?

But atleast he stayed loyal to the Jazz

Unlike some guy from Akron, Ohio

Malone sure wasted his prime playing with the best PG of his generation and an all-time great coach.

[ZaaaaaH]

Yao Ming

[Kukoc]

Malone sure wasted his prime playing with the best PG of his generation and an all-time great coach.



How many rings did he win?

Why do you think he moved to LA?

[Demitri98]

Kobe
KG in Minny
Wilt
Wade to an extent
Maybe T-Mac?

[Bush4Ever]

To me, KG is the most powerful example of a wasted prime when you combine how amazing he was individually with how bad his situation was, WITH the results of what happened when he eventually got a little bit of supporting talent around him.

[ThePhantomCreep]

How many rings did he win?

Why do you think he moved to LA?

His teams routinely won 50+ games and went on deep playoff runs.

Hardly comparable to KG's situation in Minny.

[moe94]

How many rings did he win?

Why do you think he moved to LA?

Everyone who's never won a championship wasted their prime?

So, basically everyone from the 90s outside Jordan's team and Dream's team wasted their careers, eh?


To me, KG is the most powerful example of a wasted prime when you combine how amazing he was individually with how bad his situation was, WITH the results of what happened when he eventually got a little bit of supporting talent around him.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekHpxKJWdI4/UW35HESFgTI/AAAAAAAABx4/OEzQd02Tkbs/s1600/CHAPPELLE%2BHEAD%2BNOD.gif

Best post in the thread. Echo this 100%.

[Kukoc]

His teams routinely won 50+ games and went on deep playoff runs.

Hardly comparable to KG's situation in Minny.


Jordan stopped playing in with Bulls in 1998.

Malone left Jazz in 2003.

He should have went to a better team in 1998.

But big credit to him for staying loyal.

[ThePhantomCreep]

Shaq: wasted some of his prime with Kobe.

Considering how super-stacked Shaq's teams were in Orlando and LAL (1997 and 1998), you could argue he underachieved given the GOAT-like status he receives.

Makes the "replace Kobe with Iverson and they still win 3 rings" arguments highly dubious.

[kc16]

Michael Finley?

Side note: after waiting damn near 2 years to register I can finally ****ing post!!

Not trying to change topic but same here though I waited about 8 months. I still can't edit most of my profile, for example my location. :confusedshrug:

[Kukoc]

Everyone who's never won a championship wasted their prime?

So, basically everyone from the 90s outside Jordan's team and Dream's team wasted their careers, eh?


Jordan stopped playing in 1998.
Malone left Utah Jazz in 2003.

Malone came into the league in 1985.

And Jordan did not win his first ring until 1991.

[ThePhantomCreep]

Jordan stopped playing in with Bulls in 1998.

Malone left Jazz in 2003.

He should have went to a better team in 1998.

But big credit to him for staying loyal.
Ok, but I'd hardly called that a wasted prime. Malone was 35 in 1998.

[Big#50]

Duncan
from 2000 to 2002. Spurs were ****ing awful. Then again in 2008 and so on.

[ThePhantomCreep]

Duncan
from 2000 to 2002. Spurs were ****ing awful. Then again in 2008 and so on.

Translation: Every time Duncan's teams underachieved (which was quite often believe it or not) I'll just claim he had bad teammates.

GTFO.

[Kukoc]

Maybe, maybe not.

Maybe your right. But Malone was the MVP in 1999

In 2001 they where only 5 games behind the No. 1 team in the West.
They were No. 2 in 2000 in the west

If he had a better team around him he would have won.
Two great players and one great choach dosent always win you a ring

[Bush4Ever]

Jordan stopped playing in 1998.
Malone left Utah Jazz in 2003.

Malone came into the league in 1985.

And Jordan did not win his first ring until 1991.

Malone got bounced out of the first round quite a few years, with Stockton and Sloan on board. Plus some nice side pieces over individual seasons from time to time.

I think the Jazz getting booted early in the playoffs cuts against the idea of his prime being wasted to the degree of some other guys who usually come up in discussion like this.

[moe94]

If he had a better team around him he would have won.
Two great players and one great choach dosent always win you a ring

It's certainly a lot better than what other players were given.

[Big#50]

Translation: Every time Duncan's teams underachieved (which was quite often believe it or not) I'll just claim he had bad teammates.

GTFO.
Porter, Jaren Jackson, Elie, Daniels, is what he had to work with. Old ****ing players that nobody else wanted. Antonio Daniels was a bust. Ownership did not want to shell out money. Only reason Duncan stayed was because he is loyal to that zit faced piece of shit hack coach.

[Kukoc]

It's certainly a lot better than what other players were given.


Like who? Examples from the 90s and early 2000.

[Kukoc]

Malone got bounced out of the first round quite a few years, with Stockton and Sloan on board. Plus some nice side pieces over individual seasons from time to time.

I think the Jazz getting booted early in the playoffs cuts against the idea of his prime being wasted to the degree of some other guys who usually come up in discussion like this.


He had a great career and the Jazz di very well.

But if the Jazz was to give him championship they should have come up with a better roster to him

[Bush4Ever]

He had a great career and the Jazz di very well.

But if the Jazz was to give him championship they should have come up with a better roster to him

My point is that "but his teammates" excuse might fly to some extent if you are asking why he wasn't making the Finals.

But it is grossly inadequate to use that as an excuse when the Jazz were losing very early in the playoffs, which they did on many a year. They certainly had enough talent to go beyond that point.

[scm5]

It's arguable that Jordan was ready to win championships the moment he stepped on the NBA court. All he needed was a better team around him, and no, not a stacked team... just an overall better team around him would have put him in contention year after year.

[moe94]

Like who? Examples from the 90s and early 2000.

Do you really think having Stockton and Sloan is on the level of the shit KG was dealing with?

[Solefade]

you know who didn't waste their prime?

Lebron

http://media.tumblr.com/ed80ad6eabccbca455f54375d875d8a3/tumblr_inline_mtyntkrpXB1r79k32.gif

[Kukoc]

Do you really think having Stockton and Sloan is on the level of the shit KG was dealing with?


Please dont even compare Malone to KG

[Kukoc]

To be honest. It was KG own fault.

His salary was way to high in MIN

[moe94]

Please dont even compare Malone to KG

What does that even mean? They're both all-time great PF. Which one are you dissing in this situation? I truly have no idea. You have what are arguably the GOAT offensive PF and defensive PF, respectfully.

[Kukoc]

What does that even mean? They're both all-time great PF. Which one are you dissing in this situation? I truly have no idea. You have what are arguably the GOAT offensive PF and defensive PF, respectfully.


Karl Malone was ofcourse way better, in a way better era.

Im not dissing anybody

[ThePhantomCreep]

It's arguable that Jordan was ready to win championships the moment he stepped on the NBA court. All he needed was a better team around him, and no, not a stacked team... just an overall better team around him would have put him in contention year after year.
Possibly, but even the '91-'93 Bulls would have had a tough time winning titles vs the peak Lakers and Celtics. Young Jordan wouldn't have been guaranteed anything by any stretch.

[ThePhantomCreep]

Porter, Jaren Jackson, Elie, Daniels, is what he had to work with. Old ****ing players that nobody else wanted. Antonio Daniels was a bust. Ownership did not want to shell out money. Only reason Duncan stayed was because he is loyal to that zit faced piece of shit hack coach.

Give it a rest. Duncan is one of the last players that needs to mentioned here. His situation was as close to perfect as it gets in this era.

[IncarceratedBob]

Jordan wasted his prime by missing out 2 years. He would have 8 rings and 8 FMVPS if he stayed

[HurricaneKid]

Kareem was the best player of the 70s, but was stuck on some poor Milwaukee teams from 75-79.

:wtf:

:no: :no: :no: :no: :no: :no: :no:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html

[MrC1991]

Jordan wasted his prime by missing out 2 years. He would have 8 rings and 8 FMVPS if he stayed
I think this too, but man I would of killed to watch a Bulls/Rockets final.

[Bush4Ever]

Give it a rest. Duncan is one of the last players that needs to mentioned here. His situation was as close to perfect as it gets in this era.

Although it is interesting to think about the degree to which Duncan caused the perfect situation on a team/harmonic front, rather than just being along for the ride. At least for the bulk of his career.

Parker and Manu were not thought particularly highly of coming into the NBA, and some of the strength of the Spurs was how well they utilized role players and how consistent and harmonious the team was personality-wise.

A centerpiece like Duncan makes that much easier.

I agree he shouldn't be in this thread though.

[Bush4Ever]

Jordan wasted his prime by missing out 2 years. He would have 8 rings and 8 FMVPS if he stayed

I don't know about that.

Losing Horace Grant hurt much worse than I think many of Jordan's fans want to realize.

Not to mention Jordan was fading mentally pretty fast in 1993. One more year might have broken him (with respect to performing well enough to win titles, that is).

[pauk]

Lebron James in Cleveland.
Michael Jordan with Bulls 85-90

[SamuraiSWISH]

Jordan wasted his prime by missing out 2 years. He would have 8 rings and 8 FMVPS if he stayed
This, last two years of his prime.

[TimmyDuncan]

Although it is interesting to think about the degree to which Duncan caused the perfect situation on a team/harmonic front, rather than just being along for the ride. At least for the bulk of his career.

Parker and Manu were not thought particularly highly of coming into the NBA, and some of the strength of the Spurs was how well they utilized role players and how consistent and harmonious the team was personality-wise.

A centerpiece like Duncan makes that much easier.

I agree he shouldn't be in this thread though.

I agree he shouldn't be in this thread.
The same for Kobe. 2 years of bad teamates in a 10 years prime is a really good situation

[JUDGE WITNESS]

kevin garnett

[Flash31]

List players that were in their prime, but were in a crappy situation so it ended up getting wasted.


I will start:

Charles Barkley


Kevin Garnett with Minnesota
Paul Pierce with Celtics
Chris Paul with Hornets
Dwyane Wade with Heat after 06
Kobe Bryant with Lakers 05 till Gasol

[Flash31]

Oscar Robertson
Kareem with early Bucks
Wilt Chamberlain
Jordan with Bulls 85-90
Nash with Phoenix
Stockton and Malone with early Jazz

Reggie Miller with Indiana
Ewing on early mid Knicks

[Big#50]

KG wanted money. He didn't care about winning. I agree. He wasted his prime pretending to be a first option.

[moe94]

KG wanted money. He didn't care about winning. I agree. He wasted his prime pretending to be a first option.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpAv_ao7rBs

:coleman:

[Black and White]

KG wanted money. He didn't care about winning. I agree. He wasted his prime pretending to be a first option.

:biggums:

[Black Mamba's B]

I guess you're another laissez-faire guy transcending that shit to basketball. Yeah right on doe

Congrats, love to see you here. You could be the single normal person out of pretty much the class of alts.

I don't think Jason Richardson was ever that good to be on the list. He's one of those guys who never took the next step, I doubt that he'd done that in a different situation (well maybe Spurs would have made him a basketball player). Who is Loy Vaught?

Thank you sir, I am just a guy who loves basketball. Loy Vaught was forward drafted by the Clippers in 1990 I believe. Pretty solid forward player, classy guy, made one playoff appearance I want to say 97ish and unfortunately got swept by the jazz

[Black Mamba's B]

Not trying to change topic but same here though I waited about 8 months. I still can't edit most of my profile, for example my location. :confusedshrug:

that sucks bro.. I guess we along with some other members have been shafted due to the large amount of trolls??

What about adding Juwan Howard to the list of wasted primes?

[ThePhantomCreep]

Oscar Robertson
Kareem with early Bucks
Wilt Chamberlain
Jordan with Bulls 85-90
Nash with Phoenix
Stockton and Malone with early Jazz

Reggie Miller with Indiana
Ewing on early mid Knicks
Some really odd choices, particularly Kareem. Dude won a title and reached another Finals his first five years in the league. The early 70's Bucks were quite decent.

[ThePhantomCreep]

that sucks bro.. I guess we along with some other members have been shafted due to the large amount of trolls??

What about adding Juwan Howard to the list of wasted primes?
He belongs in the "biggest fluke seasons" thread. I'm talking about his '95-'96 season of course.

[SHAQisGOAT]

People saying Jordan from 1985 to 1990? Y'all realize that by 1988 they were a solid team going in a great direction having drafted Pippen and Grant, I mean they were making good choices and headed into the right way.


Oscar Robertson
Kareem with early Bucks

Stockton and Malone with early Jazz


More like late 70's Lakers. 1971 Bucks is one of the GOAT teams too.

Early Jazz in the late 80s were actually better than the Jazz that made into the Finals imo, just that the league was worse.

[SHAQisGOAT]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Pistol Pete though, yea he had his issues and at his best, in New Orleans, the team's game was built around him but I bet y'all can't name a single one of his teammates, aside from maybe Truck Robinson, who was coming to his own when Maravich got injured.

[3243]

Kareem was the best player of the 70s, but was stuck on some poor Milwaukee teams from 75-79.

More like stuck on some mediocre Laker teams from 1975-79.

[veilside23]

KG wanted money. He didn't care about winning. I agree. He wasted his prime pretending to be a first option.


should be thankful he gave meaning to the wolves.. hows life after KG its been what? almost 6 years and team is still lottery bound... keep dreaming ...

put prime KG over Love they might have the best record ..

KG never played with a center as good as PeK. sure Rasho was good but he isnt like Pek..

then you have rubio who would average more assists because KG had to create for himself most of the time ... And martin >> wally z all day. Corey brewer KG and pek would be a force on the defensive side.

[oarabbus]

No such thing as a wasted prime if the player brought good games and memorable moments to the fans.