Biggest fall from grace in NBA history?

[More Banners]

Vin Baker gets the top nod to me.  The only person to have a contract voided for the "unfit to play" clause, right?

I don't consider a physical decline to be a fall from grace.  A fall from grace is when an awesome player falls out of the grace of the fans/league due to his/her own destructive choices.  I include AI's practice rant, since that was pretty destructive to the team...destructive attitude.

But AI was being signed, could have played meaningful minutes as a backup for a couple more years as a mentor -- if he had the proper attitude.  Ditto for Spreewell.

But Vin Baker is tops.  He'd have had a long, long career and been a sure HOFer, an Al Jefferson with defense and a sweeter release and short jumper.

[RAcker]

And how about Bill Walton for being on top of the world in late 70's only to drop off the face of the earth due to injuries in the early 80's...then, he rises from the ashes in '86 to win 6th Man of the Year and a title... only to fade out again like a fart in the breeze a year later due to more foot problems.

Big Bill did it twice!  Top that!

[the_Bird]

Vin Baker was the first name that popped in my mind.

Chris Herren doesn't qualify because he never really reached the pinnacle.  The ESPN doc, "Unguarded," is on Netflix now; watch it if you haven't.  I made the mistake of starting to watch it at work, I just couldn't turn it off.  That's a kid who really COULD have been an elite player, but wasn't able to fight through his demons.  Too many guys like that, too many Chris Herrens, too many Vin Baker, too many Michael Ray Richardsons out there.   

[thirstyboots18]

I am not sure what your criteria is...I was thinking more had it all and lost it all due to their own actions.  That was why I said Antoine Walker...his fall was not  injury related,  and he definitely tasted success, winning a Championship ring with the Heat and making millions of $$.

[RebusRankin]

Juwan Howard is one not yet mentioned. All-Star in 96, his second year, only 23, signs the huge offer sheet with Miami, Washington matches, never plays at that level again.

[greg_kite]

For me it's Penny Hardaway.

He wasn't quite Jordan level but was on the same level as Pippen or Clyde Drexler and was on the rise.  If not for injuries might have had a Kobe like career.

Another guy people haven't mentioned is Grant Hill.  He was a better scoring verson of Scottie Pippen before injuries ruined his career.  Yes, he's become a decent role player in Phoenix but he went from All NBA 1st team quality to sittng out 80% of his games for 4 or 5 years.

[SHAQATTACK]

The WHOLE  Orlando basketball team from Hero to ZERO , from the owner , GM , coach and Howard on down .....

the whole dang thing went down the tubes.


If Howard doesn't come back 100% and become average ....then he'll get this award hands down. From every category .   

Called plain DUMB.

[Eja117]

It's between these two guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ERuiaMGIz8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep-9sSKa0RA

[indeedproceed]

In terms of reputation, Marbury, Iverson, Steve Francis all come to mind.

But for me it's Tracy McGrady. He was a dark horse MVP, and for me hands down the most dangerous offensive player in the game for a good 3 years, including Kobe Bryant. Just straight MURDER from the triple threat position, could beat you off the dribble, could shoot over just about everyone, and was just such an underrated passer who people dismissed as a playmaker because aside from Yao, he had nobody to pass to.

But he was always a bit of a diva, and at the highest moment of his diva ever in his career, his body also betrayed him. Never had Kobe or KG's durability or their killer instinct, and was cursed with a series of brittle second fiddles and terrible teammates.

[Eja117]

David Stern every day he wakes up.

All NBA refs everywhere every time they "ref" a game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM20eYjvwUM&feature=related

[CelticG1]

I think you could also throw Alonzo Mourning and Grant Hill in there.

Both should have top players in their generations and ended up missing so many seasons. They made comebacks (especially Hill) but they weren't even close to what they used to be. It would be like Mcgrady having a few decent seasons in a row now. Just nowhere close to the player you used to be

[Celts Fan 92]

Ricky Davis 20 point scorer to a burnt out weedhead out da league at 28

[317]

Juwan Howard is one not yet mentioned. All-Star in 96, his second year, only 23, signs the huge offer sheet with Miami, Washington matches, never plays at that level again.

can a guy who is still to this day playing 15+ years later(or did i miss him retiring this off season?) really even crack the top 25?

[indeedproceed]

I'm not sure you can call guys brought low by injuries alone a 'fall from grace'.

If so, Brandon Roy deserves mention for the last 10 years.

Pretty much in 2009 it was Wade, Kobe, then Roy at the 2 spot. Retired at 26?

[thirstyboots18]

I am sorry, but I do not consider injury or illness a "fall from grace!"  Alonzo Mourning had kidney disease and a  kidney transplant...not a concious failure to perform.  This whole thread seems quite unfair to me.