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NBA Injuries: 20 Stars Who Deserve A Career Do-Over

By Gerald Bourguet

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Detroit Pistons player Grant Hill (L) drives around Indiana Pacers player Chris Mullin during the first half of their game 07 February at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons beat the Pacers 107-98. AFP PHOTO/JEFF KOWALSKY (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Detroit Pistons player Grant Hill (L) drives around Indiana Pacers player Chris Mullin during the first half of their game 07 February at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons beat the Pacers 107-98. AFP PHOTO/JEFF KOWALSKY (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images) /
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NBA Injuries
Basketball: Portrait of New Jersey Nets (L-R) Rumeal Robinson (24), Drazen Petrovic (3), and Bernard King (30) on sidelines bench during game vs Orlando Magic at Brendan Byrne Arena.East Rutherford, NJ 3/4/1993CREDIT: John Iacono (Photo by John Iacono /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) /

12. Drazen Petrovic

Larry Bird. Mark Price. Reggie Miller. Steve Nash. Ray Allen. Now Stephen Curry. Those are the names that frequently dominate the “greatest shooter of all time” discussion. But if Drazen Petrovic had lived long enough to enjoy a full NBA career, his name would probably enter that conversation more often.

For Croatians, 90s hoops fans and ESPN enthusiasts, Petrovic isn’t a foreign name. His friendship with Vlade Divac amidst the Yugoslav Wars was the subject of a terrific 30 For 30 film, but even before his story became so widely publicized, Petrovic was garnering a reputation for his overseas exploits.

A two-time Euroleague champion, two-time FIBA Saporta Cup champion, one-time FIBA World Cup MVP and one-time FIBA EuroBasket MVP, Petrovic didn’t join the NBA until the 1989-90 season with the Portland Trail Blazers at age 24.

Despite not getting much run time as a rookie with the Blazers, who mostly confined him to a role as a spot-up shooter, Petrovich’s angst for more minutes eventually led to a three-team trade that brought him to the New Jersey Nets. In two and a half seasons there, he quickly found his groove and lived up to his reputation as a cocky, fun and confident scorer.

In his first full season, he averaged 20.6 points, 3.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game on .508/.444/.808 shooting splits. The following season — his final NBA season — Petrovic earned Third Team All-NBA honors for his 22.3 points and 3.5 assists per game on .518/.449/.870 shooting splits.

Driving from Poland back to Croatia with his girlfriend over the offseason, Petrovic — who was not wearing his seatbelt — was killed in a car accident on the rainy Autobahn 9. It was a tragedy that struck deep at the heart of the NBA and the global basketball community as a whole.

From his borderline arrogant demeanor to his silky smooth jumper, Petrovic was a delight to watch, one of the most memorable players in the history of international basketball, and an all-time NBA what-if.

Next: No. 11