Injuries are the worst thing that can happen to a professional athlete. They tend to alter the course of some players’ careers. Some are career-ending, while others leave long-lasting damage that affects the quality of a player’s game.
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Some players who’ll make our list were tipped to be the best in the sport, but fate had other plans.
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Amar’e Stoudamire
Amar’e Stoudamire has had a long-standing career despite his injuries. He was first drafted into the NBA in 2002 by the Phoenix Suns. He struggled with multiple knee injuries but managed to play for three other NBA teams – the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and the Miami Heat. However, he went on and continued outside the NBA, but fans would have enjoyed more were it not for his injuries.
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose was the star that the Chicago Bulls looked for since the departure of Michael Jordan. He became the youngest player to ever win the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the year and clinched Rookie Player of the Year in his first season.
However, things changed in 2012 when he tore his ACL and went on and suffered from other injuries. He’s been able to nurse his injuries and remain in the game but never reached the heights everyone once thought he’d get to.
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Greg Orden
Before Kevin Durant, Greg Orden was supposed to be the next big talent of the NBA. In his freshman year, he led Ohio State University to the National Championship but lost to winners Florida Gators.
In 2007, just as he joined the Portland Trailblazers, Orden underwent surgery on his right knee, keeping him out of the court for the entire season. After that, a foot injury the following season meant he only played 61 games. Orden also suffered from a kneecap fracture, and he just never got going.
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Grant Hill
Some players persist despite niggling injuries. Grant Hill fits this mould. He suffered from a series of ankle injuries and missed a lot of game time. Nonetheless, Hill achieved some milestones, showing how good he could have become.
- In 1995, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team
- In 1997, he was named to the All-NBA First Team
- He was named to the NBA All-Star Team seven times
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Jay Williams
Out-of-court or field incidents are no longer a rare thing. Athletes engage in adventurous activities during their break, and some have altered the course of their career.
Jay Williams wasn’t supposed to ride his motorcycle but violated his contract. Unfortunately for him, the accident damaged a nerve end in his leg, which ended his career.
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Penny Hardaway
Penny Hardaway could play in various positions in the game. Small forward, shooting guard and point guard. This would’ve placed him above many basketball players had it not been for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he suffered in 1997.
ACL is one of the worst injuries an athlete can suffer as it changes a player’s ability to move and exercise efficiently. Despite his misfortunes, he was named the NBA All-Rookie First Team of the Year and 4 times in the NBA All-Stars.
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Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady never played a full season during his career. The highest number of games he played was 70. He was plagued with injuries on his back, left shoulder and left knee. He was first drafted in 2007 by the Toronto Raptors and went on and play for:
- Orlando Magic
- Houston Rockets
- New York Knicks
- Detroit Pistons
These are some of the players whose careers were slowed down due to injuries. It must be heart-breaking to know that they could’ve been one of the best, but it was all taken away by injuries.
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