Did anyone in here NOT want to be an NBA player growing up?

[ClipperRevival]

Imagine if Shaq had Hakeem Olajuwon skills?

To be fair, no one had Hakeem's skills. But Shaq was a freakishly gifted athlete for a 7'1" and 320 lber. Dude had amazingly light feet, coordination and quickness. That's why he had one of the best peaks ever. It wasn't that he was that skilled. Just that he was that tall, that big, that strong along with the light feet, coordination and quickness.

[KNOW1EDGE]

I never realistically wanted to be an NBA player. I thought it would be cool though.

I was content to just watch those guys on t.v.

[bdreason]

Of course the NBA was my dream. I realized by my junior year in HS I would never reach that level though.

[Rose'sACL]

Since i was 13, I wanted to teach underprivileged kids PCM(physics,chemistry, mathematics) for free. I'll most probably be able to do that full time after i am 35.

[Vancouver-Grizz]

Being a Gigolo was my first option - didn't work out as I figured you need to bang really ugly women. Then the NBA - didn't work out as apparently dedication was not enough as skills was more important.

Settled to be a investment banker.... FML

[Lensanity]

I've always had dreams of becoming a Cannabis Connoisseur.

[rmt]

Why do you assume that just because some one watches a sport that they play that sport? I watch a lot of basketball and tennis - never played basketball. I do play tennis (had to take PE class in college) but was watching tennis long before I played.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

I used to watch football but I never played in high school or middle school (although I wanted to but it was just a huge time commitment). Lifting was mandatory on varsity and I didn't really want to do that. Almost tried out for cornerback my senior year.

[SpecialQue]

Nope. Basketball sucks.

[ClipperRevival]

Most NBA players aren't Kevin Garnett, but they don't have to be.

It's different when you are that guy. You discover that you're 6'5 with really high calves as a sophomore in high school, and people are talking about you, treating you different... as a junior, scouts are coming to your games... it's your life, and odds are you never really chose it.

Most NBA players live up to their billing and are solid professionals. Most people don't develop a passion for what they are really talented at, and for what the world wants from them. But it's a matter of duty and self respect and respect for others to be professional, show up and do your best.

And there are some NBA players who don't really like basketball at all... they have all the talent but they simply don't want it. That's okay - it only becomes an ethical issue when they get a team to sign them to a full MLE (or more) and then mentally quit.

And often the guys who really flame out have mental health issues as well, like Odom, Larry Sanders.

Obviously we love the guys who combine the talent with the passion: Magic, Bird, Jordan... and the guys who are low on (NBA) talent but high on passion, like Fisher, Reddick.

Good point. Just because one is blessed with the talent to play in the NBA doesn't mean that basketball is his love/passion. You can't help what you are passionate about.

[ClipperRevival]

Why do you assume that just because some one watches a sport that they play that sport? I watch a lot of basketball and tennis - never played basketball. I do play tennis (had to take PE class in college) but was watching tennis long before I played.

True. It's just where I'm coming from.

[DMV2]

I stopped growing by the 8th grade. NBA hoops dreams crushed early.

I'm still dreaming of joining the Chinese or Filipino league though. Waiting for LeBron23 to offer me a contract.

[AnaheimLakers24]

Yea but im not black so i gave up in 11th grade. Wish i was taller