NBA's One and Done: 10 Peculiar One-Time NBA All-Stars of the '90-'00s
The All-Star Game is pretty pointless. The idea of an All-Star however (the selection, the prestige, the debate, the snubs, the respect, the spectacle, the showmanship, etc) is another thing all together. Once given the title 'All-Star', a player's resume is padded for life. It can boost a conversation on a player's current worth ('hey, you say, 'he was a three time All-Star') as it can also raise the profile once a career is finished.
It can also hurt, from a historical perspective, in two ways. One) 'they made that bum an All-Star?' some will say and Two)he never got selected to the All-Star Game? He must not be that good' say others. The All-Star selection is an enigma: meaning so much (or so little) to so many. The game itself means nothing, but the title means, it appears, everything (for good or bad).
But, in general, the term All-Star will end up applying to someone who is just that. But every now and then someone slips through the cracks. A player, not known to ever be All-Star worthy, will be in the game. And the opposite happens as well: a player who SHOULD be selected every year finally gets that one nod, never to return again.
Here is a list of 'One and Done' All-Stars. Some deserved the nomination at the time, some deserved more then just their one appearance, while others, to this day, are head scratchers.
Chris Gatling, West Reserve, 1997 All-Star Game (Cleveland)
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All-Star Game Stats: 2 pts, 2 rebounds, 1 steal in 12 minutes
Background: When I was growing up, Chris Gatling was a household name but not from anything he did on the court. The NBA journeymen bounced around from team to team and, while effective, was far from a superstar (or even what we'd dub an 'All-Star' in casual or historical conversation). Rather, we remembered him for his distinctive look: the headband and the head scars, which he received due to massive head trauma when a youth.
As shallow or simplistic as that may be, we were kids and didn't know better. Gatling was a tall but lite bigman and an average (at best) rebounder for his 6' 10" size. He could shoot, leading the league in FG % once with a jaw dropping 63% (one of the best in history). Gatling was never prolific in any particular category but was rewarded an All-Star position due to, what would be, his career best statistical year (with numbers that were anomalous compared to other seasons, both before and after).
Deserved?: During the 1996/1997 season Gatling, while on both the Nets and Mavericks, averaged 19 PPG and nearly 8 rebounds on 52% shooting. Respectable numbers for sure, but not exactly eye popping numbers. Plus his position on the 1997 West squad makes you want to recite 'One is Not Like the Others'.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? One was enough and, frankly, with all due respect, a gift. Gatling was a journeyman who excelled beyond his means in 1997.
Dana Barros, East Reserve, 1995 All-Star Game (Phoenix)
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All-Star Game Stats: 5 pts, 1 rebound, 3 assists in 11 minutes
Background: Much like Gatling, Barros was a recognizable figure to NBA fans who managed to have an all-out, never-to-be-seen-again career season in his All-Star year of 1995. Barros was (and will always) be known primarily as a three point shooter who ranks in the top 50 all-time in 3FG Makes and top 15 in career 3FG%.
Deserved?: In 1995 there was no doubt Barros deserved his spot. Barros was having career numbers by the Break and would go on to rank in the top 5 in games played, minutes per game and played, 3FG Made, 3FG %, and FT %, while appearing in the top 10 in total steals, steals per game, and assists by seasons end. His 20.6 PPG average was almost seven points better then any PPG in his career, before or after, and he averaged an impressive 7.5 APG and 1.8 SPG (staggering considering he averaged, for a career in those categories, 3 and 0.9).
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? This was the year for Barros. He deserved the 1995 selection because he was excellent that season. He never even got close to the 1994/95 season again so one was definitely enough.
Kenny Anderson, East Starter, 1994 All-Star Game (Minneapolis)
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All-Star Game Stats: 6 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 assists in 16 minutes
Background: Kenny Anderson was a highly sought-after street baller from Queens whose legend on said streets never quite transported to the NBA history books. He had many good years, yes, but he never ended up being the heir apparent to the NBA as many suspected. Still, he inspired future stars/journeymen (and fellow street ballers) like Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair.
Deserved?: Anderson had a great sophomore year in the league and, come halfway through his third year, was doing even better. Popping out, if you round, 19 points and 10 assists a game for the Nets, Anderson was a star and deserved his selection. Now did he deserve to be a starter? During 1994, absolutely. Any other year? No.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? I could argue that if 1994 was good enough for a selection then 1995 could have been too (virtually same PPG and APG average). But Anderson slowly declined after 1995 so definitely nothing after that.
Wally Szczerbiak, West Reserve, 2002 All-Star Game (Philadelphia)
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All-Star Game Stats: 10 pts, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal in 12 minutes
Background: I always remember not liking Wally. First, his name was Wally. Second, he wore sunglasses inside when not playing. Third, he kind of just had that look and movement to him that made him kind of annoying to watch: a mixture of arrogant indifference and sporadic emotional outbursts that just unnerved me.
But I was surprised at how good he actually was. I always saw him as a second fiddle in Minnesota and a bug to be swatted in other cities but his career stats show a promising and successful early career. Unlike previous All-Stars mentioned here, Wally even had better days following his All-Star selection. He kind of faded away once he left Minnesota, playing for four other teams, so memory, at least for me, does not do him a kind service.
Deserved?: Szczerbiak was a consistent scorer, a solid rebounder, and a terrific shooter in his first three years in the league (2002 being his third). I would say yes.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? I can't be hypocritical and say this was his one good year. He actually improved in many areas though he started to become a shooting specialist more then anything else. I'd say, based on raw data alone, he deserved at least another look in 2005.
B.J. Armstrong, East Starter, 1994 All-Star Game (Minneapolis)
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All-Star Game Stats: 11 pts, 1 rebound, 4 assists in 22 minutes
Bsckground: Armstrong was a recognizable (and consistent) piece of the Bulls first dynasty in the early '90s, mostly acting as three point specialist. With Michael Jordan gone in 1994, B.J. was a veteran leader who brought stability to a shaken Bulls squad. B.J. never made it past MJ's return though and slowly declined into obscurity with Golden State, Charlotte, Orlando, and, again, Chicago (briefly, at the end).
Deserved?: Meh. With Jordan gone, B.J. was the same exact player with virtually no improvement. I'm going to say no on this one (though he was a nice guy).
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? One was Enough and, once again, with all due respect, more then he deserved. B.J. was a championship role player who will be remembered in history for his roles in those championships (and his amazing career 3FG%, which ranks 9th all-time). He deserves credit for that, no doubt, but never had that All-Star quality, nor the numbers to back it up.
Jeff Hornacek, West Reserve, 1992 All-Star Game (Orlando)
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All-Star Game Stats: 11 pts, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal in 24 minutes
Background: A 14 year player known for his starring role on the Suns and his consistent role player position on the Utah Jazz teams in the late '90s, Hornacek was a household name with relative star power.
If you saw him as a blue collar worker or a bona fide star, his resume surely backed them both up. Hornacek was a pure shooter but also a scrappy defender and pest to opponents. There came a certain point in his career when he put out virtually the same numbers every single year, but they were so solid and helpful that his team didn't mind the lack of progression. And Hornacek never seemed to have faded when his career ended in 2000, averaging 16-3-3 and a steal per game.
Deserved?: Though Hornacek doesn't look like a world beating star, his days in Phoenix, especially in 1992, were excellent. He deserved this selection for sure.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? He should of had way more. Hornacek didn't blow up the box score every single night (though he did average, for a career, a healthy 16.6 PPG and 1.6 SPG) but he did blow up an opponent's mind, either from annoyance or from turnover after turnover.
Horace Grant, East Reserve, 1994 All-Star Game (Minneapolis)
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All-Star Game Stats: 4 pts, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 stl, 2 blks in 17 minutes
Background: Like B.J. Armstrong in 1994, Grant was a Bulls/Championship veteran the team needed in a time of transition. Unlike B.J. Armstrong in 1994, Grant took advantage of Jordan's absence by scoring more points, grabbing more boards, dishing out more assists, and blocking more shots.
Wherever Horace Grant went he exuded confidence, calm, and a tireless work ethic. He was never a prolific scorer but was one of the greatest offensive rebounders in history, a fantastic defender, and had the will and desire to win.
Deserved?: Jordan's absence helped Grant take more of a leadership role and maximize his ability in almost every area. 1994 wasn't only Ho-G's best statistical year in his entire career but it was the year he became his own star by his rules. Definitely deserved.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? No doubt in my mind. Horace Grant should have been a fixture of All-Star games. Great athleticism, a winner's attitude, a distinctive look, good numbers, and even better intangibles. He was the type of player every team wanted. That to me is the definition of an All-Star.
Dale Davis, East Reserve, 2000 All Star Game (Oakland)
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All-Star Game Stats: 4 pts, 8 rebounds, 1 assist in 14 minutes
Background: Dale Davis was a figure head of the excellent Pacers teams of the 90s and the team that went to the Finals in 2000. Davis wasn't the sexiest option on the team but consistently gave you 10 and 10, bringing his large frame and ripped physique into the lane for a box out.
Deserved?: No. This one is a head scratcher to me. Dale Davis and his counterpart, Antonio Davis, were memorable cats because they were these two guys with the same name, the same position, the same build, and the same scariness. But Dale, especially in 2000, without Antonio, wasn't exactly an All-Star or even a star, for that matter. He was the blue collar bruiser who, once again, gave you 10 and 10.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? No. Great player to have on a team. . .just not an All-Star team.
Christian Laettner, East Reserve, 1997 All-Star Game (Cleveland)
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All-Star Game Stats: 7 pts, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 stl, 1 blk in 24 minutes
Background: Known for a great many things in college and pre-NBA (like that one shot versus Kentucky or his selection to the Dream Team), Laettner made his mark briefly in the NBA before fading away into trivia obscurity. But when he was on his game, he was on. His years in Minnesota as part of the Timberwolves were his most productive, averaging close to 18 a game and pulling in between 7 and 8 boards.
With the exception of one above average year in Atlanta in '97 (the year he was an All-Star), Laettner fell of the face of the planet, seeing a drop in games played and in overall stats. His All-Star selection in '97 was definitely the peak of his career as Laettner, perhaps unfairly, could never live up to his astronomical college success.
Deserved?: I suppose. Laettner was on his way to a 18-9 year, par for the course for him at that time. Solid numbers though everyone else on the All-Star squad that year was either legendary or doing better then Laettner at the time.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? Can't say, really. Great numbers those first few years followed by mediocre or average play afterwards. One was Enough.
Mookie Blaylock, East Reserve, 1994 All-Star Game (Minneapolis)
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All-Star Game Stats: 5 pts, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 stls in 16 minutes
Background: Mookie was familiar not just because of his name but because of his Renaissance Man qualities (jack of all trades, master of none). Mookie would continually average 13 or 14 points, continually average four or five rebounds, continually dish out 5, 6, or 7 assists, and continually get 2 to 3 steals a game. His shot was poor and he turned the ball over a lot but he would mold himself into the ultimate statistical pest, buzzing about everywhere.
Deserved?: 1994 was hardly different from 1993 or 1995. Blaylock was Blaylock. If this was some sort of 'you gave it all you got kid, selection, a pseudo lifetime achievement award basically, then I'd say he deserved it. Good hustle.
Should Of Had More Selections or One Was Enough? One was clearly enough. Mookie was fun but not fantastic (save the defensive end). And while defenders certainly deserve their props, the All-Star game is not where that is: offense rules supreme.
Other Notable 'One and Done' All-Stars
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Derrick Coleman (1994 All-Star Game Starter, East)
John Starks (1994 All-Star Game Reserve, East)
Charles Oakley (1994 All-Star Game Reserve, East)
Sam Cassell (2004 All-Star Game Reserve, West)
A.C. Green (1990 All-Star Game Starter, West)
Please put any others you can think of in the comments section below.
