Players that could have been special...?

[sasaint]

no mention of greg oden? can play with either hand, but 2 bad knees did him in...

I read OP's post to exclude players who were done in by physical issues/injuries. He was focusing on lack of "work ethic" or what was "between the ears."

[daslicer]

I read OP's post to exclude players who were done in by physical issues/injuries. He was focusing on lack of "work ethic" or what was "between the ears."

Elden Campbell is a guy who I feel that fits that criteria. I always thought he could be a 20-10 player and an all-star if he actually cared.

[ivanfromwestwood]

Dejuan Blair. Once he started ing with that Whataburger it was game over.

[sasaint]

Elden Campbell is a guy who I feel that fits that criteria. I always thought he could be a 20-10 player and an all-star if he actually cared.

I don't know much about his career since he played mostly for the hated Lakers. He was great in college but drafted late. I don't know what I expected of his career. Maybe a little like Lamar Odom. Or another Laker - Andrew Bynum.

[sasaint]

So as it has slowed down a bit, and I am sitting here watching Hardwood Classics, and a question came up that I would like too ask the members of the forum.

What player past, or present, do you think could have truly been special if they either had the work ethic, or simply had it between the ears so to speak?

I think Josh Howard could have been really special...gave the Spurs fits, but never seemed dedicated to the game, and thus is mostly forgotten.

Post your thoughts on other players. I have a lot of other players in mind, but want to see what you guys and gals think.

I agree about Josh. He was a guy I wanted on the Spurs at one time.

[Maddog]

Roy Tarpley.

Boris Diaw could have been a lot better if hadn’t been so nonchalant... and he was almost too unselfish

I've got to agree with those two, though Boris is quite different from Tarpley. Boris had a good to very good career. Tarpley flamed out just as he was getting there due to drugs.

Jermaine O'Neal. I felt he was never the same after the Malice in the Palace Brawl.

Jermaine had chronic knee problems that limited his later career.

[rudwick]

Lloyd “Sweet Pea” Daniels

He had incredible talent.

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

Sultan Kosàn

[superbigtime]

cris carter

fkn muppet

[Strategic]

Sam Bowie

[daslicer]

Ricky Davis.

[Proxy]

Jackie Butler

edit: holy lol, he's only 33

[HWoodNixon]

Gong to keep my fingers crossed and say Kawhi Leonard. Hoping his uncle screws him over so badly it jacks up his career.

[BillMc]

Lamar Odom.

[dbestpro]

Not the worst, but belongs on the list - Sprewell, John Lucas, Chris Washburn, and Michael Ray Richardson.

[tdominate21]

My answer to number 2 is Devin Brown. I really liked what he brought to the game for the Spurs when he played, but he didn’t seem to have the work ethic or focus necessary to succeed.[/QUOTE]

That's a good one. I remember rooting for him cuz i would see him in the hallways at UTSA before he was a spur. I later remember hearing that he was a slacker at the spurs facility so that's why they let him go. But I can't find any concrete story to back it up. Anyone remember?

[tdominate21]

John Starks

[tdominate21]

Richard Dumas

[callo1]

Agreed on Beasley and Roy. Had them in my mind as players I wanted to mention.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

no mention of greg oden? can play with either hand, but 2 bad knees did him in...

This

[Gagnrath]

This

I mentioned him before either of you in like the 4th post.

J.R. Smith is another character that is going to end up with a nice career but the dude if head was on straight had/has the attributes/ability to develop into a perennial All-Star. However he had to be more concerned about Thug Life and whatever the goes on in JR Smith head then being the best basketball player. His longtime teammate Carmelo is another one of those guys that because of what goes on in his head minimized his career.

[sasaint]

Not the worst, but belongs on the list - Sprewell, John Lucas, Chris Washburn, and Michael Ray Richardson.

Yep, that's a good trio for this thread. I expected Washburn to be great - much like my nominee, Tarpley.

[sasaint]

I mentioned him before either of you in like the 4th post.

J.R. Smith is another character that is going to end up with a nice career but the dude if head was on straight had/has the attributes/ability to develop into a perennial All-Star. However he had to be more concerned about Thug Life and whatever the goes on in JR Smith head then being the best basketball player. His longtime teammate Carmelo is another one of those guys that because of what goes on in his head minimized his career.

I have always wondered how he would have turned out if the trade for Brent had gone through.

[boutons_deux]

Jermaine O'Neal. I felt he was never the same after the Malice in the Palace Brawl.

and he got really fat

[DJR210]

Jermaine O'Neal. I felt he was never the same after the Malice in the Palace Brawl.

I wonder what he could have been in boxing..