8 players who had their careers cut short because of injuries

Eight NBA players whose career ended much too soon because of injury.

If anyone has had to sit out of a sporting event because of an injury, they know how painful it feels to watch your team compete while all you can do is cheer them on. In the NBA, this painful feeling is only multiplied when a player’s career is shortened due to injury. Especially when that player had such a promising future if his health remained in-tact.

More from Houston Rockets

• 3 potential James Harden suitors not named the Clippers
• Cam Whitmore already starting revenge tour after draft-night fall
• NBA Rumors: Heat lowball Blazers, Lakers spoil Summer League, Brooks gets crazy
• NBA free agency: The 3 biggest losers in this offseason so far
• The new NBA flopping rules explained

We have all watched as Derrick Rose climbed back from knee injury after knee injury in his career. Not only is Derrick not the player he once was, but the uncertainty he gives Chicago Bulls fans because of his bad knees must tear him apart inside.

Recently, Rose suffered the latest of his knee injuries which has sidelined him most likely until the beginning of the playoffs.

Every basketball fan out would hate to see Rose go down with another injury, because no one wants to see a player’s career cut short especially one as talented as Rose once was. So until Rose retires, he hopes to return to his old self that could once get in the lane at will and electrify the United Center with awe-inspiring finishes.

Unfortunately, not every athlete has the hope of one day returning to the level of play they once had after suffering such terrible injuries. Being injury prone is a curse. And a cruel one at that. Whether it is lingering knee troubles, motorcycle accidents, or heart problems sometimes players get their careers taken away from them despite all the hard work and effort they had put in.

So here are eight players who have had their careers cut short because of injury.

Next: Greg Oden