jimboiitmac
miami pride
Guys, let's spark a discussion.
From your personal following of the NBA, who do you believe to be the most talented but underachieving player you've seen?
I'm asking for personal opinions too, with explanations. Please don't say like Reggie Lewis or Len Bias, or someone like that (that you didn't actually see play, but just read about). And please say people who were actually incredibly talented, I mean talent that puts them as the best players in the game.
So I'll get the ball rolling. Mine is Tracy McGrady.
I was born in the 1990's, so by the time I was in my teens it was the early 2000's and guys like Shaq, Kobe, Iverson, Kidd, Duncan and T-Mac were the best in the league.
In my opinion, Tracy McGrady was the most naturally talented basketball player I have ever seen in my life.
In his prime he could do it all. Offensively he's the most talented player I've ever seen. He could finish with authority like LeBron, weave his way to the basket and finish creatively like Wade, shoot fadeaways like Kobe and hit treys like Ray Ray. Anyway you want it, he could do it. In terms of play-making, ball-handling and passing, he was as good as LeBron is now (except a slightly worse passer).
Honestly, this guy was unbelievable. I think he was better than Kobe in his best years. My comparison is a silky smooth LeBron who is less powerful, but hands down a much more dominant shooter and scorer with better footwork.
Where did he get the talent? I think it was his combination of size, fluidity and athleticism. Unlike Kobe and MJ, he was 6'8" and had great length and size.
It's not like he didn't achieve anything. He won consecutive Scoring Titles and was a 7-Time All-Star and All-NBA Selection. Statistically he was a freak. In 02-03 he averaged 32.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.5 APG and 1.6 SPG. In 00-01 (when he won the Most Improved Player Award) he averaged 26.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG.
He filled the stat-sheet. Points, boards, assists, steals and blocks with his length too. Not to mention three pointers and decent shooting %'s.
Why underachieving though? I think he had more talent than Kobe, but far less drive, determination and mental strength. He didn't work as hard as Kobe and didn't therefore reap the results. He probably didn't take care of his body in the off-season well enough, which is why injuries have killed him.
In addition he never made it past the first round of the playoffs. That's not to say he didn't play well in the playoffs because his career playoff averages are 28.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG and 6.5 APG in 41.2 MPG. But regardless, he never made it past the first round.
There you have it, Tracy McGrady is MY most talented, underachieving player that I've ever seen.
Whose yours??
From your personal following of the NBA, who do you believe to be the most talented but underachieving player you've seen?
I'm asking for personal opinions too, with explanations. Please don't say like Reggie Lewis or Len Bias, or someone like that (that you didn't actually see play, but just read about). And please say people who were actually incredibly talented, I mean talent that puts them as the best players in the game.
So I'll get the ball rolling. Mine is Tracy McGrady.
I was born in the 1990's, so by the time I was in my teens it was the early 2000's and guys like Shaq, Kobe, Iverson, Kidd, Duncan and T-Mac were the best in the league.
In my opinion, Tracy McGrady was the most naturally talented basketball player I have ever seen in my life.
In his prime he could do it all. Offensively he's the most talented player I've ever seen. He could finish with authority like LeBron, weave his way to the basket and finish creatively like Wade, shoot fadeaways like Kobe and hit treys like Ray Ray. Anyway you want it, he could do it. In terms of play-making, ball-handling and passing, he was as good as LeBron is now (except a slightly worse passer).
Honestly, this guy was unbelievable. I think he was better than Kobe in his best years. My comparison is a silky smooth LeBron who is less powerful, but hands down a much more dominant shooter and scorer with better footwork.
Where did he get the talent? I think it was his combination of size, fluidity and athleticism. Unlike Kobe and MJ, he was 6'8" and had great length and size.
It's not like he didn't achieve anything. He won consecutive Scoring Titles and was a 7-Time All-Star and All-NBA Selection. Statistically he was a freak. In 02-03 he averaged 32.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.5 APG and 1.6 SPG. In 00-01 (when he won the Most Improved Player Award) he averaged 26.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG.
He filled the stat-sheet. Points, boards, assists, steals and blocks with his length too. Not to mention three pointers and decent shooting %'s.
Why underachieving though? I think he had more talent than Kobe, but far less drive, determination and mental strength. He didn't work as hard as Kobe and didn't therefore reap the results. He probably didn't take care of his body in the off-season well enough, which is why injuries have killed him.
In addition he never made it past the first round of the playoffs. That's not to say he didn't play well in the playoffs because his career playoff averages are 28.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG and 6.5 APG in 41.2 MPG. But regardless, he never made it past the first round.
There you have it, Tracy McGrady is MY most talented, underachieving player that I've ever seen.
Whose yours??
