Players that fell from the top to the bottom in record time???

[mavs>spurs2]

I don't get it either, you'd have to ask a like Mavsfan1000. Finley was my favorite player for years but when his athleticism went, so did his entire game.

[Lakers_55]

Have we all noticed a trend among a few of the people on this list? Shawn Kemp, JR Rider, Christian Laettner?

Answer: Cocaine. (Actually, in Rider's case, violent crimes have done him in, but I think it can all trace back to one thing... crack.)

Along the lines of drug users, the record for quickest fall may go to a guy who never got to play, and supposedly would have helped Boston win a few more les with Bird. Len Bias. Drafted #1 by the Celtics in 1986, dead a few days later of a cocaine overdose.

[Reggie Miller]

Most of these guys fall into one of two catgories (or both):

1. Drug and alcohol abuse; and/or
2. Lack of "old players' skills," such as defending, jumpshooting, etc. Many of these guys were great athletes, not great basketball players. When they lost their legs, they became liabilities very quickly.

[KidCongo]

Along the lines of drug users, the record for quickest fall may go to a guy who never got to play, and supposedly would have helped Boston win a few more les with Bird. Len Bias. Drafted #1 by the Celtics in 1986, dead a few days later of a cocaine overdose.

no.2 pic but yer he had big chance at being a great player.

[MateoNeygro]

Shawn Kemp- He lost his athletisicm and it was over
Penny Hardaway-Injuries