It's difficult to feel sorry for professional athletes, given how much money they make. As a fan, you do feel sorry for a few. Not because of something semi-tragic that might've happened in their lives, but you know they'll never come close to winning a championship or something like that.
I compiled a list of five NBA players that I actually feel sorry for. Even though you'll never know these players on a personal level, they seem like good guys who'll never win.
Chris Bosh
Not much to say here. It's hard to feel sorry for someone with a championship on their resume, but Bosh will always be known as the third wheel on the Miami Heat.
Derrick Rose
Looks like his path to an NBA title will forever be blocked by the Big Three in Miami.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Basically like Al Jefferson (see next slide), but more athletic and just trapped on a Portland Trail Blazers team trying to build with young talent. At one point, it looked like the Blazers had a team of the future until injuries ravaged them and they were forced to start over.
The rebuilding project in Portland seems to be off to good start with Nicolas Batum and Damian Lillard riding shotgun. The Blazers will need a few more weapons to get Aldridge off this list, though.
Al Jefferson
Jefferson is a good player, but not a major star. However, he could definitely be a solid No. 2 on a contending team. Problem is, Jefferson has never been on a team resembling a contender, being on the Boston Celtics during their dark era, the Minnesota Timberwolves and currently the Utah Jazz. Also, you can always look for him to get hurt.
Jefferson seems like an every-man. He just goes and does his job in a workman-like fashion. He's not spectacular, but he finds a way to get his numbers, even though the team loses more than it wins. I have no problem with Jefferson, but if he gets traded again, I'm afraid it'll be to another bad team that has no clue on how to build a team.
Steve Nash
I made this list specifically for Nash. After being on good teams that seemed to get stonewalled in the playoffs, like the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, it looked like Nash would finally get a chance to play for an NBA title when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Right now, it looks like that assessment was wrong. I know there's still another half of basketball to be played, but the Lakers are in danger of missing the playoffs. Nash has to be thinking, "I didn't sign up for this". The Lakers are under .500 and have been filled with drama from the word-go.
I feel sorry for Nash because he is a good team guy and it looks like he'll never get a chance to play for a championship. He doesn't have too many seasons left and I hate if he goes out like this for his career.
