Most untapped potential of all time?

[Dwyane Rose]

Which players, in your opinion, had the most untapped potential. By this I mean who didn't have as good a career as possible due to things like injuries and other unfortunate events like what happened to Len Bias, or even laziness, like Vince Carter.

A few examples, in no particular order:

1. Yao Ming - Shaq said he could have been a top 5 center of all time. That means a lot considering all the great centers like Bill Walton, Willis Reed, George Mikan, David Robinson, Shaq himself, Moses Malone, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt and Kareem. He had numerous injuries, even before he had come into the NBA. Apparently he had a foot injury as a teenager which had lowered his vertical leap by 10 inches. That's a big difference. I can see him rebounding more and blocking more shots with 10 inches more elevation.

2. Tracy McGrady - Averaged 32/7/6/2/1 on 3 turnovers in his prime, could've been on the same level as LeBron and Kobe in terms of ranking on the all-time list if he had stayed healthy.

3. Grant Hill - ^

4. Len Bias - Tragedy

5. Vince Carter - He admitted to not trying in Toronto, AKA his prime... now that is screwed up.

Feel free to list your top 5 in order, and maybe predict stat lines and career accomplishments for them if they had lived up to their full potential.

Ex: This is if Yao Ming had Dwight Howard's durability.

Yao Ming - 1x MVP
1x NBA Championship
1x Finals MVP
12x All-NBA selection
Would be an All-star literally every year he was in the NBA due to popularity
2x All-NBA defensive second team selection
Prime stats, no major injuries: 32/12/2/0.5/3

[pauk]

bernard king
penny hardaway
shawn kemp

[Rnbizzle]

Next on this list: DeMarcus Cousins.

[Fatal9]

Greg Oden. He would have been legit if he didn't get injured.

[Jasper]

Vin Baker (6'10") goose awkward player that disrupted most defenses as well as offenses , but even though he hung on way longer than he should of been playing .....

The bq and beer did him in....

In Milwaukee is was like 18 8 dude ..

[TEXAS BATMAN]

vince carter. more natural ability than any 2 to ever play the game but has the work ethic of a middle school janitor. poster child for wasted potential.

[Jasper]

bernard king
penny hardaway
shawn kemp

King and Kemp had banner careers , and only the last 4 years for Kemp were flat.
Read up on players before you post

Next on this list: DeMarcus Cousins.

Easy one to target , but I not only think he will be a double double guy for an NBA career , you will see a dominate PF
He's untapped simple because he is a kid....

[JohnnySic]

Derrick Coleman.

[kurple]

JR Smith

All the talent in the world, but no brain or work ethic

[AngelEyes]

Len Bias, Connie Hawkins, Bill Walton, Arvydas Sabonis, Greg Oden

[Dwyane Rose]

JR Smith is a good unexpected pick.

I don't know what his issue is... he's got the athleticism, the size, good shooter from anywhere on the court... He just doesn't have the cognitive ability like Jordan. You could argue that JR has the near the same physical talents as Jordan, but he lacks the mental part.

[Jasper]

JR Smith

All the talent in the world, but no brain or work ethic

Yea that dude could ball with anyone ... you hav to wonder if coke did him in

JR Smith is a good unexpected pick.

I don't know what his issue is... he's got the athleticism, the size, good shooter from anywhere on the court... He just doesn't have the cognitive ability like Jordan. You could argue that JR has the near the same physical talents as Jordan, but he lacks the mental part.

dumar proto type

Len Bias, Connie Hawkins, Bill Walton, Arvydas Sabonis, Greg Oden

Hof'ers untapped potential ???

[Joshumitsu]

Oden: Was billed to be the next David Robinson-Shaq-Bill Russell-Kareem-Wilt-Thurmond hybrid super center greatest of all time father of Lebron James type of player.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career and he never got another chance to ever play a full season in the NBA.

He is now a limping millionaire who lives with his dog.

[CAstill]

bernard king
penny hardaway
shawn kemp

Wow! You're first post i actually agree with.

I would add Kobe to the list.
I would of loved to see how he would of done,
if he actually got a team built around him from day one, never got a rape trial,
and didn't have to get knee and finger injuries.
I feel like he would have more rings and more accolades as well.
He would be at Jordan's level now and passing him, instead of still trying to play
catch up with the G.O.A.T.
Shaq's legacy would be different as well. He would of stayed at the same level of greatness though.
Oh and who can forget Lebron? If he would of stayed in CLE maybe the basketball gods would of shown him love with a ring ala Dirk. But no he made a different "decision" instead.

[AngelEyes]

Derrick Coleman.

Coleman is a good one. Could have been one of the best power fowards of all time but it never materialized.