Top 5 Players Who Got Away
‘King of the Gotaways’ (Noren Trotman - NBAE/Getty Images)
The Jazz just finished up their three game road trip with going 2-1. All in all a successful trip, but really the Jazz let one get away against the Knicks. I mean why does that team own the Jazz? I’m so sick of seeing the Jazz go to the Garden and getting worked. Over the course of an 82 game schedule it is inevitable that there will be let downs and missed opportunities.
The same applies to players who were on the Jazz roster at one point and for one reason or another left the Jazz. Take a look at my list of the top 5 players who got away:
5- Dell Curry - Curry was a first round pick of the Jazz and lost in the expansion draft. He went on to have a solid 16 year career. He could have been a solid veteran roll player during the stretch the Jazz where trying to win a title.
4- Donyell Marshall - Marshall left the Jazz after two seasons. He would have been a nice piece to have during the rebuilding time after Stockton and Malone.
3- Maurice Williams - Losing Mo-Will doesn’t hurt so bad now that we have D-Will, but for a second round pick he has turned out to be a pretty good NBA guard. Imagine having him as the Jazz back up point guard/combo guard.
2- Raja Bell - Raja, Raja, Raja…..why? I mean I understand the playing with Steve Nash has got to be awesome, but come on man the Jazz gave you your chance to show what you could do as a player. Brewer’s play this year is taking the sting off of this one a bit and I anticipate that will continue.
1- Bernard King - To be honest with you I had no idea that King even played for the Jazz for a season. I do not know the circumstances around his departure from the Jazz but after doing some research this is what I do know. He was 23 when he played for the Jazz and went on to have an awesome career. If any of you “old timers” know the story, I would love to hear the reason he didn’t stay longer than a year. Can you imagine a front court of King, Malone and Eaton? Would have been nice.
4 Comments to “Top 5 Players Who Got Away”
Search Jazzbots.com
Be connected!
Get the latest from Jazzbots delivered to your email
Get the latest from Jazzbots delivered to your phone
Bookmark and favorite Jazzbots.com
Jazz Inside Scoop
The FREE, Official E-mail Newsletter of the Jazz.
The Inside Scoop is one of the best ways to keep up-to-date with your Utah Jazz. We'll provide you with information year-round about the Jazz -- breaking news, special event information, unique merchandise & ticket offers, promotions, advance contest opportunities and more.
Featured Sponsors
Jazzbots Recent Readers
Jazz Polls
Loading ...
I may be wrong, but that was the time when a lot of drug problems forced moves. John Drew came to the Jazz, because Atlanta wanted to get rid of him and he left because he went off the wagon. Seems like I heard rumors. Also, I think he was injured. I’ll bet Tom Nissalke would know. I’ll email him and post his response.
You forgot about the loss of the Human Highlight Film and Magic Johnson (from prior poor trade of a draft pick).
Jazzaholic
Jazzaholic
Apparently King was involved in some sex offense charges.
Jazzaholic
Thanks JR. I appreciate the research. The reason I did not include the Human Highlight Film and Magic was due to the fact that they never played a game in a Jazz uni.
I believe Wilkins right’s were sold to meet payroll for the Jazz at the time?
Magic was never a real opportunity either.
I don’t think I qualify as an “old-timer” since I’m only 25, nonetheless…
5) Dell Curry was pretty much washed up by the time the Jazz were contenders
4) Donyell Marshall is a decent bench player, but I don’t know that he represents that much of a loss. With Harpring and Kirilenko manning the SF spot during the rebuilding year, I don’t know that Marshall would have been a big contributor.
3) I do wish the Jazz had kept Mo Williams. Their rationale for letting him go is that they thought they were set at the PG position with Carlos Arroyo and Raul Lopez. I think we all know how that turned out.
2) Raja was allowed to leave because he was always butting heads with teammates and management. It’s a shame from a talent standpoint, because he’s exactly the type of player the Jazz could use at the swing positions… but not if he’s going to be a disruption in the locker room.
1) Bernard King was involved in a sexual assault case, and also struggled with drug addiction. It’s too bad, because he was a heck of a ball player, someone who strangely doesn’t seem to get much recognition now for how potent a scorer he was when he played. Still, I’m not sure how long he would have lasted in Salt Lake; the Jazz were probably right to part ways with him.
Leave your Comment