All the players who made the Finals without All-Star teammates
It’s super hard to make it far in the playoffs without star power surrounding you, but it’s not impossible. There are a few instances in NBA history in which big-time players reached the NBA Finals without a single All-Star teammate and you can find all of the cases below.
Just a caveat: Sometimes, players who didn’t get picked for the All-Star team missed out because they were hurt early in the season, not because they weren’t some of the best in the NBA. A good example is Jimmy Butler this year. He didn’t make the All-Star cut but ended up on an All-NBA Team, which is why you’ll see Bam Adebayo‘s name on this list full of basketball legends.
Averaged 24.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 9.8 apg in the playoffs and won Western Conference Finals MVP
Bam Adebayo (Miami): 2023
Averaged 20.4 ppg, 9.2 and 3.2 apg in the playoffs
Teammate Jimmy Butler made the All-NBA 2nd Team.
Lost in the NBA Finals to Golden State (2-4)
Averaged 25.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 6.2 apg in the playoffs and won Eastern Conference Finals MVP
Won in the NBA Finals against Phoenix (4-2)
Averaged 30.2 ppg, 12.8 rpg and 5.1 apg in the playoffs and won Finals MVP
Won in the NBA Finals against Golden State (4-3)
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Averaged 26.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 7.6 apg in the playoffs and won Finals MVP
Tony Parker (San Antonio): 2014
Won in the NBA Finals against Miami (4-1)
Averaged 17.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 4.8 apg in the playoffs
Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas): 2011
Won in the NBA Finals against Miami (4-2)
Averaged 27.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 2.5 apg in the playoffs
Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers): 2008
Lost in the NBA Finals against Boston (2-4)
Averaged 30.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 5.6 apg in the playoffs
LeBron James (Cleveland): 2007
Lost in the NBA Finals against San Antonio (0-4)
Averaged 25.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 8.0 apg in the playoffs
Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas): 2006
Lost in the NBA Finals against Miami (2-4)
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Averaged 27.0 ppg, 11.7 rpg and 2.9 apg in the playoffs
Ben Wallace (Detroit): 2005
Lost in the NBA Finals against San Antonio (3-4)
Averaged 10.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg and 2.4 bpg in the playoffs
Ben Wallace (Detroit): 2004
Won in the NBA Finals against Los Angeles (4-1)
Averaged 10.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 2.4 bpg in the playoffs
Tim Duncan (San Antonio): 2003
Won in the NBA Finals against New Jersey (4-2)
Averaged 24.7 ppg, 15.4 rpg and 3.3 bpg in the playoffs and and won Finals MVP
Jason Kidd (New Jersey): 2003
Lost in the NBA Finals against San Antonio (2-4)
Averaged 20.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 8.2 apg in the playoffs
Jason Kidd (New Jersey): 2002
Lost in the NBA Finals against LA Lakers (0-4)
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Averaged 19.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 9.1 apg in the playoffs
Karl Malone (Utah): 1998
Lost in the NBA Finals against Chicago (2-4)
Averaged 26.3 ppg, 10.9 rpg and 3.4 apg in the playoffs
Michael Jordan (Chicago): 1998
Won in the NBA Finals against Utah (4-2)
Averaged 32.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 3.5 apg in the playoffs and won Finals MVP
Teammate Scottie Pippen made All-NBA 2nd Team
Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston): 1995
Won in the NBA Finals against Orlando (4-0)
Averaged 33.0 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 2.8 bpg apg in the playoffs and won Finals MVP
Teammate Clyde Drexler made the All-NBA 2nd Team
Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston): 1994
Won in the NBA Finals against New York (4-3)
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Averaged 28.9 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 4.0 bpg in the playoffs and won Finals MVP
Clyde Drexler (Portland): 1992
Lost in the NBA Finals against Chicago (2-4)
Averaged 26.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 7.0 apg in the playoffs
Michael Jordan (Chicago): 1991
Won in the NBA Finals against LA Lakers (4-1)
Averaged 31.1 pg, 6.4 rpg and 8.4 apg in the playoffs
Clyde Drexler (Portland): 1990
Lost in the NBA Finals against Detroit (1-4)
Averaged 21.4 pg, 7.2 rpg and 7.1 apg in the playoffs
Isiah Thomas (Detroit): 1989
Won in the NBA Finals against LA Lakers (4-0)
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Averaged 18.2 pg, 4.3 rpg and 8.3 apg in the playoffs
Isiah Thomas (Detroit): 1988
Lost in the NBA Finals against LA Lakers (4-3)
Averaged 21.9 pg, 4.7 rpg and 8.7 apg in the playoffs
Moses Malone (Houston): 1981
Lost in the NBA Finals against Boston (2-4)
Averaged 26.8 pg, 14.5 rpg and 1.6 bpg in the playoffs
Julius Erving (Philadelphia): 1980
Lost in the NBA Finals against Los Angeles (2-4)
Averaged 24.4 pg, 7.6 rpg and 4.4 apg in the playoffs
Seattle SuperSonics: 1978
Lost in the NBA Finals against Washington (3-4)
Elvin Hayes (Washington): 1978
Won in the NBA Finals against Seattle (4-3)
Averaged 21.8 ppg, 13.3 rpg and 2.5 bpg in the playoffs
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Alvan Adams (Phoenix): 1976
Lost in the NBA Finals against Boston (2-4)
Averaged 17.9 pg, 10.1 rpg and 5.2 apg in the playoffs
Rick Barry (Golden State): 1975
Won in the NBA Finals against Washington (4-0)
Averaged 28.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 6.1 apg in the playoffs and won Finals MVP
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee): 1974
Lost in the NBA Finals against Boston (3-4)
Averaged 32.2 ppg, 15.8 rpg and 4.9 apg in the playoffs
Bob Davies (Rochester): 1951
Won in the NBA Finals against New York (4-3)
Averaged 15.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 5.4 apg in the playoffs
Story originally appeared on HoopsHype
Source: Yahoo Sports
