Fansided

8 players who had their careers cut short because of injuries

By FanSided Staff

Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; NBA TV analyst Grant Hill before game five of the 2014 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; NBA TV analyst Grant Hill before game five of the 2014 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brandon Roy

Oct 29, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; A general view during a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; A general view during a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Even though Brandon Roy was active NBA just two seasons ago, we saw the same knee troubles end his promising career just as it did to Greg Oden, Grant Hill, and Penny Hardaway. Roy started his career in 2006 after getting drafted by the Portland Trailblazers. He averaged 16.8 points in his rookie season and his production only increased in subsequent years.

The Trailblazers led by Brandon Roy and their up-and-coming big man, LaMarcus Aldridge, were one of the most promising teams in the NBA from 2007-2010. Then Roy suffered a meniscus tear which he underwent surgery on, only to return in order to compete in the NBA playoffs weeks later. He played on this revamped knee that was just surgically repaired recently against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs. They ended up losing to the Suns 4-2.

After this injury, Roy was never the same player. He went from averaging 21.5 points per game to just 12.2 points the following year. His knees were hanging on by a thread and his game was paying the price. Many critics said that Roy would never return to be the player he once was for the Blazers. So he announced his retirement after the 2010-11 season.

He tried to make one more comeback two seasons later. He underwent knee surgery that supposedly would fix any lingering knee problems he had during the off season. So the Minnesota Timberwolves took a chance and signed him after he became a free agent. The thought of the forward playing alongside star forward Kevin Love excited Timberwolves fans. But Roy could not stay away from his knee problems for long. He end up requiring season ending knee surgery after just his fifth game back.

Brandon Roy, despite being just 30 years old and having one of the more promising futures that players in the NBA have, ended his career way to early. I will forever remember him returning in game four of the playoff series against the Suns in 2010 and leading the Trailblazers to a victory. It seemed that with this win, all troubles for Roy were behind him and the Trailblazers were going to become legitimate title contenders. But unfortunately, this was not the case. One of the most heart breaking injuries in sports history, as the cruel nature of knee problems got the best of Brandon Roy at such a young age.

Next: Danny Manning

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