Without a doubt, one of the smoothest players in the league at his peak! Shareef Abdur-Rahim retired from the league after just 12 seasons due to his problem right knee.  To me Shareef Abdur-Rahim is much like Terry Malloy from the classic movie “On the Waterfront” played by Marlon Brando and the league was his Charley.  From the time he was drafted, it was like “a one-way ticket to Palooka-ville!” Rahim played for 4 teams, all with their best years behind them with the exception of the expansion Grizzlies, making the playoffs once. Yet he still holds the NBA record for most games played without a playoff appearance.  Â
On the right team “He coulda been a contender”.
“The 31-year-old played 12 NBA seasons for four teams, beginning his career in 1996 when the Vancouver Grizzlies made him the third overall draft pick from Cal. The 2002 All-Star averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his career, but reached the playoffs only once, with Sacramento in 2006.
“I came to grips with the fact that, health-wise, I won’t be able to get back to the condition and level that is needed to play in the NBA,” Abdur-Rahim said. “My right knee has become arthritic over the years.”
