Golden State Warriors: Ranking the 30 best Warriors ever
By Tony Pesta
20. Latrell Sprewell
Stats: 400 GP, 20.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 43.6 FG%
Latrell Sprewell proved to have one of the more disappointing careers in NBA history. This is because of the immense potential he displayed in his younger years.
His rookie year he averaged 15.4 points and 1.6 steals per game. This was enough to have him named to the All-Rookie Second Team. Sprewell’s career would make a big jump in the next season. In the 1993-94 season, he put up 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. Sprewell earned quite a few honors this season, being selected to the NBA All-Star game while also being a member of the NBA’ All-Defensive Second Team.
Sprewell even locked down a spot on the All-NBA First Team. This accomplishment is extremely rare. Since the 1970-71 season, only four other players have achieved this in their second year: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon and Grant Hill.
Sprewell went on to play in two more All-Star games before eventually being traded to the New York Knicks. He quickly fell into a downward spiral of locker room troubles and outside issues. He played 14 seasons in the NBA before retiring at the age of 34. Sprewell finished his career in the NBA’s top 100 all-time scoring list.