Sunday, September 24 2023

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.

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY SportsSam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsKyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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

AP PhotoAP Photo

AP Photo

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

Bob DaviesBob Davies

Bob Davies

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

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