What player in your favorite sport was the biggest waste of talent ever?

[Everlong]

At least in recent years in the NFL it's gotta be Albert Haynesworth, or at least he's a strong contender. When he wanted to be, the dude was an absolute monster on the interior defensive line that nobody can stop. But once he got a huge pay day he just completely mailed it in. Shameful.

[PorkChop]

BJ Penn. He had it all. The MMA world had never seen such a brilliant mixture of boxing, jits and wrestling before Penn came on the scene, he was awesome for a while and then got fat and didn't care about fighting anymore. Huge waste of potential, even though he was a two-division champion. Could have been so much more.

[Kyle]

Hockey: Alexandre Daigle
Tennis: Gael Monfils

[ShaneOfan]

Ryan Leaf talk about a talented guy with a shit attitude.

[GNR]

Tracy McGrady, Gilbert Arenas, Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, and the way it looks like it, Derrick Rose. Damn knees.

[axis]

Any Australian would know that Ben Cousins is up there for AFL.

[prophet]

Gareth Bale, because he chose to play for Wales rather than England.

[AkydefGoldberg]

Gareth Bale, because he chose to play for Wales rather than England.

Erm, he was born in Wales? Even if he had a choice, I doubt he would have played for England if he was born in Wales. Your 'favourite' player Ryan Giggs had a choice as he played for England schoolboys but again was always choosing Wales. I wish he had done as he'd have solved England's left side issue and Paul Scholes wouldn't have been shunted there.

[prophet]

Gareth Bale, because he chose to play for Wales rather than England.

Erm, he was born in Wales? Even if he had a choice, I doubt he would have played for England if he was born in Wales. Your 'favourite' player Ryan Giggs had a choice as he played for England schoolboys but again was always choosing Wales. I wish he had done as he'd have solved England's left side issue and Paul Scholes wouldn't have been shunted there.

He did have a choice through residency. I'm not sure why you've gotten smarmy about that post - it's not like I hold anything against Bale for opting to play for Wales, I respect his decision to do so. I just happen to think he has limitless potential that he could bring to the International Stage but will never get the chance (like Giggs) because he chose to play for Wales. I understand why and everything but it's a shame he'll never showcase his talent in a major tournament.

[AkydefGoldberg]

Gareth Bale, because he chose to play for Wales rather than England.

Erm, he was born in Wales? Even if he had a choice, I doubt he would have played for England if he was born in Wales. Your 'favourite' player Ryan Giggs had a choice as he played for England schoolboys but again was always choosing Wales. I wish he had done as he'd have solved England's left side issue and Paul Scholes wouldn't have been shunted there.

He did have a choice through residency. I'm not sure why you've gotten smarmy about that post - it's not like I hold anything against Bale for opting to play for Wales, I respect his decision to do so. I just happen to think he has limitless potential that he could bring to the International Stage but will never get the chance (like Giggs) because he chose to play for Wales. I understand why and everything but it's a shame he'll never showcase his talent in a major tournament.

Me? Smarmy? Never! Ha, nah I didn't realise the residency bit hence the 'smarminess' of my post at the start.

Wales have got some talented players emerging in Bale/Ramsey but they need more to qualify for a tournament. In some ways, I think they become resigned to the fact that they won't get there ever so it's going to take a generation of promising players (maybe now?) for them to muster up that inner confidence. Bale was woeful tonight, but absolutely delighted for him. Always great to see a British player ploughing abroad and succeeding.

[ChrisCrossed]

Basketball: If we're counting injuries Brandon Roy. Dude was clutch as hell, putting up 22 on the slowest paced team in the league and was an offensive juggernaut that even Artest said he couldn't guard.

Attitude wise Bynum. Asshole refused to learn from Kareem. That's the guy with 6 rings and more points than anyone. Then he calls out Kobe and quits on two separate teams. He was nice though

[Tom]

Gareth Bale, because he chose to play for Wales rather than England.

Erm, he was born in Wales? Even if he had a choice, I doubt he would have played for England if he was born in Wales. Your 'favourite' player Ryan Giggs had a choice as he played for England schoolboys but again was always choosing Wales. I wish he had done as he'd have solved England's left side issue and Paul Scholes wouldn't have been shunted there.

He did have a choice through residency. I'm not sure why you've gotten smarmy about that post - it's not like I hold anything against Bale for opting to play for Wales, I respect his decision to do so. I just happen to think he has limitless potential that he could bring to the International Stage but will never get the chance (like Giggs) because he chose to play for Wales. I understand why and everything but it's a shame he'll never showcase his talent in a major tournament.

Me? Smarmy? Never! Ha, nah I didn't realise the residency bit hence the 'smarminess' of my post at the start.

Wales have got some talented players emerging in Bale/Ramsey but they need more to qualify for a tournament. In some ways, I think they become resigned to the fact that they won't get there ever so it's going to take a generation of promising players (maybe now?) for them to muster up that inner confidence. Bale was woeful tonight, but absolutely delighted for him. Always great to see a British player ploughing abroad and succeeding.

I think the fact that the European Championships has been increased to 24 teams may give Bale a chance of playing in one of them. Their qualifying group is one they have a chance of qualifying from as well. Bosnia and Belgium might give them trouble but realistically I would expect them to finish above the rest, and maybe even Bosnia as well.

Paul Gascoigne comes to mind. He was an incredibly talented player and really had the potential to be one of the best, if not the best, in the world for a long time. But his off field problems, dieting and injuries really affected him. Don't get me wrong, he had some great moments for England. But he could have been so much better in my opinion!

[CMPUNKFAN]

Carlos Zambrano and Barry Zito in baseball...

Jamarcus Russell in the NFL

[DBSoT]

Hello? Aaron Hernandez. He was on pace to be one of the best TEs in the NFL and decide to be a serial murderer instead.

[Chewy]

Harold Miner.

[The Legend]

Hello? Aaron Hernandez. He was on pace to be one of the best TEs in the NFL and decide to be a serial murderer instead.

In fairness, he was a serial killer before he showed any of this talent, we just didn't know it yet.