5 modern-day NBA careers that ended too quickly
By David Rouben
After Chris Bosh failed yet another physical, now’s as good a time as any to look over modern-day NBA careers that ended too soon.
Although people often joke that he’s a dinosaur, Chris Bosh’s career may be coming to an end at the age of 32. The AP reported earlier that Bosh failed yet another physical, and won’t be cleared in time for training camp with the Miami Heat. Even if he does make it back this season, he has missed a total of 67 games over the past two seasons due to blood clots.
It’s sad to see this happen to anyone, especially Bosh, who has served his teams and the community well. But if there’s anything he can take solace in, it’s that he’s hardly alone. Plenty of NBA stars had their careers cut short due to injury, whether it’s a highly-touted prospect with tons of failed potential or a star who slowed down after their formative years. It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of the game.
With Bosh’s best years clearly behind him, now is as good a time as any to look back on NBA players who had their careers cut short due to injury. This list will be limited to modern-day players, so you won’t see Sam Bowie or Bill Walton on here.
5. Amar’e Stoudemire
Stoudemire announced his retirement during this year’s offseason after spending his last year with the Miami Heat. Despite being 32, he was hardly more than a role player, and when Hassan Whiteside got hurt in the playoffs, he was forced into the starting lineup. But that only served as a painful reminder of how much lost potential his NBA career represented.
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The Phoenix Suns drafted Stoudemire out of high school with the ninth overall pick, and for a while, it looked like it would pay off. He won Rookie of the Year in his first season, averaging 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds. Once the Suns replaced Stephon Marbury with Steve Nash in 2004, they went from a 29-win team to a 62-win team, while Stoudemire enjoyed his best season ever when he averaged 26 points per game, and 29.9 during the playoffs.
But it was all downhill from there, as cartilage damage in his knee was discovered, forcing him to undergo microfracture surgery. Knee problems, as well as other minor injuries, continued to plague him throughout his career. Since 2005, he has only managed to play a full 82-game season twice. And although he was a coveted signing by the Knicks, once he injured his knee again in 2013, he was relegated to a bench player shortly thereafter.
After Nash and Stoudemire earned comparisons to Stockton and Malone, it was hard to see him suffer a major injury like that just one season later. And although he tried his best to power through his chronic knee pain, that’s not something that goes away. As he plies his trade in Israel, Stoudemire is hoping to rediscover some of that magic he had early in his career.