Derrick Coleman
Whenever NBA scouts see a big man with breathtaking athleticism and basketball skills, but have major questions about his motivation to really excel at the game of basketball, they always worry that big man might become “the next Derrick Coleman.” In fairness, Coleman did win rookie of the year in 1991, make an All-Star game appearance in 1994 and the All-NBA third team in 1993 and 1994, but he never really got close to living up to his true potential. According to league sources, Coleman played his 15-year career expending the least amount of effort possible, gliding by on an NBA-ready body and a superior touch. He also drove a handful of coaches to the unemployment line and some to therapy! Sports Illustrated once remarked that: “Coleman could have been the best power forward ever; instead he played just well enough to ensure his next paycheck.”