JJ Redick, known for his sharp shooting and basketball analysis, might have highlighted various players in the NBA whose careers with the Los Angeles Lakers were cut short or severely impacted by injury. Here are five valuable Lakers players whose careers were significantly affected or ended due to injuries:
### 1. **Magic Johnson**
Magic Johnson is a Lakers legend, and his career came to a sudden halt due to health issues, but it’s important to mention him when discussing career-ending circumstances. Although not a traditional injury, Johnson announced his sudden retirement from the NBA in 1991 after testing positive for HIV. This revelation shocked the basketball world as Magic was at the peak of his career, leading the Lakers to multiple NBA championships. He later returned briefly in 1996, but the initial retirement significantly impacted his legacy and the Lakers. The team lost their most versatile and charismatic player in a time when Magic could have led them to even more success.
### 2. **Kobe Bryant**
Kobe Bryant is the epitome of a Lakers icon, and although his career wasn’t completely cut short by injuries, they played a role in his later years. Kobe famously ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2013, an injury that is notoriously difficult to recover from, especially for aging players. Though Kobe made a valiant return, he was never the same player after the injury. His body started to break down with various other issues, including shoulder and knee problems. While he was able to complete his farewell season in 2016 with a 60-point game, many believe Kobe’s Achilles injury marked the true end of his dominance and cut short his ability to prolong his already historic career.
### 3. **Gail Goodrich**
Gail Goodrich was a crucial part of the Lakers’ success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, helping them win the 1972 NBA championship. After several highly productive seasons, Goodrich suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 1976, effectively ending his time with the Lakers. While he did attempt to continue his career after being traded to the New Orleans Jazz, he was never the same player. His injury was a significant blow not just to his career but to the Lakers, as they lost a critical offensive force.
### 4. **Andrew Bynum**
Andrew Bynum was seen as a key piece of the Lakers’ future when they drafted him as a 17-year-old. He showed flashes of greatness, helping the team win two championships in 2009 and 2010. However, Bynum’s career was derailed by persistent knee injuries. Multiple knee surgeries and rehabilitation efforts couldn’t keep him on the court for extended periods, and by 2013, his once-promising career was essentially over. Bynum’s potential as one of the league’s best big men was never fully realized due to these injuries, a big loss for the Lakers, who had invested heavily in his development.
### 5. **Elgin Baylor**
Elgin Baylor is one of the greatest players in NBA history, but his career was cut short by injuries. Baylor was a scoring machine for the Lakers, consistently one of the top players in the league during the 1960s. However, knee injuries plagued his later years. In 1971, after just nine games into the season, Baylor decided to retire, citing his inability to play at a high level due to his deteriorating knees. While the Lakers won the championship that same season, Baylor’s premature retirement robbed the team of one of the league’s all-time greats.
### Conclusion
Injuries have been a recurring theme in sports, and the Lakers have seen several key players suffer career-altering or ending injuries. Whether it’s Kobe Bryant’s Achilles, Andrew Bynum’s knees, or Elgin Baylor’s knees, these injuries not only affected individual careers but also had a profound impact on the success and future of the franchise. JJ Redick’s analysis likely would reflect on how each player’s injury altered not just their trajectory, but the Lakers’ long-term plans.
