15 NBA players who let themselves go

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#6 Vin Baker

Vin Baker’s decline was just one of the saddest stories in NBA history. He was easily one of the best power forwards at the start of his career. Baker was named to the All-Star game for four straight seasons (1995-1998).

The lockout in 1999 turned him into a completely different player. Alcohol abuse caused his weight to balloon to 300 pounds. It was a struggle from thereon to stay on the floor as he was consistently out of shape.

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#5 James Harden

James Harden’s numbers have been mind-boggling at times since he moved out of the shadows of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in 2012. “The Beard” turned into an offensive weapon that terrorized opponents.

Harden, though, has often been out of shape, particularly starting his last year with the Houston Rockets. The same issue has hounded him since then. In stops at Brooklyn and Philadelphia, fans and analysts have noted that he has slowed down.

The former MVP is 33 years old, but the lost explosiveness is not entirely due to age. He’s been somewhat of a shell of his shelf when he’s out of shape.

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#4 Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson is considered by many to be a generational talent. Basketball fans haven’t seen anyone with his size, power and explosiveness.

“Zanos” also can’t seem to get healthy due to a myriad of injuries and battles with weight. The New Orleans Pelicans, the team that drafted him, gave him a massive extension but inserted a weight clause.

There is a real chance he couldn’t reach his potential if he keeps on getting injured and fails to keep the scales down.