10 Past NBA Stars I Miss

With the NFL season coming to an end, the sporting community turns it’s attention to basketball. Apologize now to your partners, friends, parents, children, etc. that aren’t sports fans. Outside of a couple weeks in the summer, there is always some sport that I am looking forward to watching. We sickos are a resilient and greedy group, that never have our sports thirst quenched. With all that being said, I wanted to really deep dive into the NBA. However, with it being All Star Weekend the past few days, there has been no true NBA competition to watch.

The mix of no true competition while also watching the All Star activities got me reminiscing on some of my favorite players of the past. Basketball has no shortages of current stars and we are spoiled in today’s era. With that being said, I still miss the stars that are no longer in the league. The athletically gifted, driven individuals that make your jaws dropped every time they laced them up. In my eyes, being a star isn’t strictly limited to career accolades or statistics. A star can be someone that plays limited minutes but brings pure excitement in those minutes. Join me in reminiscing a little bit and see who some of my favorite players of the past were.

Derrick Rose

When I think about the early 2010s one of the first players I think of is Derrick Rose. One of the biggest tragedies in modern sports is Rose’s career prime being cut short by injuries. The youngest MVP in the history of the NBA was possibly the most electric point guard the NBA has ever seen. Rose was unstoppable going to the bucket, and once he got there, he would use his athletic ability to finish around defenders or his great power to dunk over them. Getting to the paint was Rose’s bread and butter, but he developed a streaky perimeter shot as his career progressed. At the peak of his career, Rose was one of the leading assist men in the league (career high 7.9 APG in 2012). Driving to the paint would collapse the defense around Rose, allowing him to find the open teammate with ease.

From poster dunks to his game winning bank shot against the Cavaliers, he kept us entertained throughout his entire Bulls career. While the latter years weren’t as electric due to a build up of injuries, we would still see flashes of the Derrick Rose we fell in love with. While he played a pivotal role in the Knicks turnaround of the early 2020s, his biggest late career was in Minnesota. Rose brought tears to our eyes after he scored 51 points with the Timberwolves. His talent was always special, but what truly separates Derrick Rose was his style of play and how he represented the whole city of Chicago throughout his career. No matter where he went, he never forgot that he was the rose that grew from the concrete.

Blake Griffin

The term human highlight reel was not created for him, but I’m not sure there’s anyone that earned the name more than Blake Griffin. Coming out of Oklahoma, Blake’s athleticism and inside scoring ability were immediately noticeable. Griffin sat out a year due to injury, but burst onto the scene during his rookie season. He averaged 22.5 points per game and won Rookie of the Year. The high flying Clipper forward immediately became a star due to his highlight play. Griffin relied heavily on his athleticism but also routinely put opposing players on a poster with his gravity defying dunks. As he gained more experience, Blake’s playmaking ability and midrange/ three point shooting abilities improved. His career would eventually be plagued by injuries like Derrick Rose’s, however those early Lob City years are as nostalgic as any team in the 2010s.

While I wish the Lob City Era Clippers had more playoff success, they were must see TV in the early to mid 2010s. The team as a whole was exciting, but a lot of that was due to Blake Griffin. One career highlight for Griffin was that game against the crosstown rival Lakers, where Griffin posterized Pau Gasol twice in one game. The high flying Griffin didn’t stop there as he won the dunk contest in 2011 where he dunked over a car. A late career highlight was his heroic performance on one leg with the Pistons during the 2019 playoff run. People are allowed to have opinions of all players, but you can never say that Blake Griffin didn’t give everything he had. As players get more athletic, it’s surprising we don’t see dunks like Griffin used to throw down. His power and athleticism are missed in today and I will always watch Blake Griffin highlights when they pop up.

Dirk Nowitzki

Much different than the previous two players on this list, Nowitzki played mainly below the rim. The German star had some athleticism in his early years, but mainly relied on his skill to put up points. Putting up points was something Dirk did with ease, earning him the 6th spot on the all time scoring list. Joining the league in 1998, Nowitzki was one of the original stretch 4s in the NBA. At 7’2, Dirk had the ability to score inside but his shooting touch is what made him so unstoppable. The high release on his shot made his signature move so indomitable. There are some incredible signature shots, but you tell the story of NBA signature shots without including Dirk’s one-legged fadeaway jumper. When you saw Dirk get to his spot and get to the jumper, your only chance was to pray he missed. We also know that rarely happened. The German star had tall, unathletic basketball hopefuls across the world basing their game off Dirk’s.

Throughout his career, Dirk had more than his fair share of iconic moments. Thanks to the magic of YouTube, you can watch a compilation of his clutch and game winning shots anytime you please. Another major stat highlighting Nowitzki’s greatness was him joining the 50/40/90 club in 2007, making him the tallest member of that prestigious club. Despite a fantastic career, there is one moment that sticks out to all NBA fans. That moment, of course, is the 2011 NBA Finals where the Mavericks took down the Miami Heat. It might not seem as dramatic as times goes on, but this Heat squad was the equivalent to the Monstars in Space Jam. It was assumed by everyone that the Heat would walk their way to a championship. What they overlooked was the 7’2 German standing in their way. Dirk averaged 26 points and 9.7 rebounds and cemented himself in NBA history.

Lance Stephenson

This is the first player on this list that was never a star by the normal definition of the word. However, you couldn’t watch Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson play and not come away thinking he was a star. Stevenson ended up playing for 8 different teams in the association, but he will always be remembered as an Indiana Pacer. Stephenson was a player that had some skill but relied heavily on his energy to get going. He could put up points when he got going, but most of his highlights came from being a spark plug. Lance’s best season came in 2014 where he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. An energizing player, with a chip on his shoulder, and the ability to play make caused fans across the country to fall in love with Lance.

Throughout his career, Stephenson had several highlights that spread like wildfire through social media. One came from his time with the Lakers, where he crossed up Jeff Green, hit a jump shot, and then danced his way back down the court. He also had a few moments that unfortunately ended up on Shaqtin a Fool, but we won’t get into that. The most notable moment of Lance’s career came in the playoff against the Miami Heat and was not a basketball play. This moment, is of course, when Lance blew into LeBron’s ear mid playoff game. One of the funniest, most insane moments I’ve ever seen and one that won’t soon be forgotten. Stephenson walked onto the guard each night believing that he was the best player. That is why he never backed down from legend like LeBron and one of the reasons we’ll never seen another Lance Stephenson.

Joe Johnson

Iso Joe was simply a bucket getter, pure and simple. Johnson’s career took off in Atlanta and he continued to be an efficient scorer in Brooklyn. While defense and playmaking were not weaknesses in his game, we all remember Joe Johnson because of his scoring ability. Iso Joe operated with efficiency and a smoothness that was beautiful to watch. The 7x All Star could score from all three levels offensively but did a lot of damage in the mid-range. Joe is a guy that you can compare to a wild animal hunting it’s prey. He would find a favorable matchup and then go into his bag. Johnson could go around you, shoot over you, or power through you. Making him a headache for even the most tenacious defenders to handle. Simply put, you don’t get the nickname Iso Joe unless you have an elite offensive skillset.

Unfortunately for our isolation hero, we never got to see prime Joe Johnson in a Conference Finals or Finals. The furthest he ever made it with the Hawks/Nets was the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Despite his lack of playoff success, we still had our fair share of iconic Iso Joe moments. The one that jumps to mind is when he crippled Paul Pierce while Johnson was on the Nets. He had a combination of low crossover that caused Pierce to crumple to the ground and represented the end of Pierce’s prime. Joe proceeded to nail the midrange jumper and run back down the court like nothing happened. If I were to do Johnson’s career over again, I would have paired him with another elite player to hopefully spur on some more postseason success. Johnson still had an incredible career and the legend of Iso Joe only grows as time passes. Johnson’s impressive career highlights are the kind that surface on social media and spread, so nobody will forget him anytime soon.

Jamal Crawford

If you couldn’t tell from the Blake Griffin section, I loved the Lob City Clippers. This team was fun and loaded with stars and players that excelled in their roles. One of the players I enjoyed the most was Jamaal Crawford. Real ones know in 2K we would add Crawford to the starting lineup pregame adjustments. Sorry Matt Barnes and JJ Redick! The Los Angeles 6th man was a spark plug to the offense as soon as he was subbed onto the court. He possessed an elite handle and maneuvered his way to the basket with ease. If you watch J-Crossover’s career highlights you’ll see a ton of his signature Shake N Bake move that had defenders lost trying to guard it. His relevancy lasted for over a decade and the stats back that up. Jamal averaged 10 or more points per game every season from 2003-2018. This includes several in the high teens and a career high in 2008 of 20.6 points per game. In the 2010s Crawford became one of the ultimate heat check players and could completely change a game’s momentum within minutes of stepping on the floor.

While my favorite Crawford memories came when he was on the Clippers, he also had incredible seasons with the Hawks and Knicks. While Crawford had several game winners/ buzzer beaters and threw the lob on Blake Griffin’s incredible windmill alley-oop, one play is not what he’ll be remembered for. His legacy revolves around being a 3x 6th Man of the Year winner. He probably deserved that award more than just 3 times based on his impact on the game. Honestly, Crawford made it cool to come off the bench. Hoopers can get so caught up in who’s starting, but Jamal proved impact and style can come from bench players. J-Crossover really cracked the code and became one of the most beloved players of his era. Similarly to other players on this list, his flashy highlights will keep the discussion of his career going for decades.

Nate Robinson

Here’s another player that spent almost all of his career as a 6th/7th man. Nate Robinson is another journeyman NBA veteran that played for 8 teams throughout his decade-long NBA career. Measuring in at 5’9, Robinson was routinely the smallest player on the floor. That didn’t stop him from bringing constant energy and his microwave-like ability to heat the offense up in an instant. As he bounced around the league a bit, the former 2 sport college athlete is most remembered for his time with the Knicks and Bulls. Robinson was a streaky shooter and had an insane vertical. His athleticism was the biggest factor in many of his highlight plays and allowed him to finish over people that were a foot or more taller than himself. One intangible piece of his career was Nate feared nobody which showed time and time again throughout his career.

Robinson is honestly one of the greatest pound for pound athletes I’ve ever seen. To play in the NBA for a decade at 5’9 and have some of the highlight plays he made is beyond impressive. There are several Nate Robinson moments that are career highlights. Two that come to mind immediately were his blocks on Yao Ming and LeBron James. Both plays seems impossible until you remember Nate can absolutely soar. These are primary examples of Robinson’s DAWG mentality against physically imposing NBA stars. Another memory is Robinson leading the Bulls to a first round series victory against the Brooklyn Nets. He found himself in a more prominent role as Derrick Rose dealt with an injury. This impressive run included a 34 point scoring burst in Game 4. Finally the thing we all remember Nate Robinson for is winning 3 dunk contests, making him only the 2nd player under 6’0 to win one. His most iconic dunk came when he dressed in all green to be “KryptoNate” to dunk over Dwight Howard dressed as Superman. That is a moment I will never forget. Most importantly, recently had a successful kidney transplant. So major shoutout to the man the saved a legends life.

John Wall

Many people loved John Wall for the same reason Derrick Rose was so beloved. In his prime, he was an explosive and athletic point guard. Wall was one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen with the ball in his hands. His ability to go the length of the court in the blink of an eye was truly unlike anything I’d ever seen. He could get an outlet pass, take a couple dribbles up court, complete one nasty behind the back dribble, and finish with a thunderous dunk. At his peak, Wall averaged 10+ assists for three straight seasons. His lightning speed helped him become an elite playmaker and allowed him to jump into passing lanes defensively. While this isn’t basketball related, seeing John Wall hit the “dougie” while both at Kentucky and with the Wizards gave him an aura that has only been matched by a select few.

Similar to some players on this list, Wall’s career was marred by injuries and never had the playoff success that he would have liked. His Wizards maxed out with a handful of Eastern Conference Semi-Final appearances but were never able to get past that. The most notable including those being in 2017 where they took the Celtics to Game 7 but ultimately lost. Wall’s shooting numbers were less efficient than he’d like, but the numbers were what you’d expect from the star point guard. Wall averaged, 25.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks. That’s called stuffing the stats and is why Wall was so feared in his prime. He is a dying breed of point guards, as most players at that position rely on their shooting from deep. Wall, as we’ve mentioned, thrived getting to the basket and loved to put an unfortunate defender on a poster. Like a lot of physical point guards, Wall’s prime was cut short, but we all still enjoyed watching him ball out.

DeMarcus Cousins

Now this is a player and player type that is truly missed in the game today. The trend of position-less basketball and the emphasis on perimeter shooting has made bruising big men like Cousins a thing of the past. While it is truly unfortunate, Cousins was an exciting watch on many subpar Sacramento teams. At his best, he would take over games with brute force. While on offense, the paint was dominated by Boogie. Many a defender were a victim to his spin move. As the Kings started to run more of their offense through Cousins, he showed an improved ability as a playmaker. Nobody even mistook the dominant big man for a point guard. However, it’s always impressive to see a center grab a rebound and take it coast to coast. I remember thinking it was over for the league when Cousins joined the Warriors in 2018. Unfortunately, he was was injured during his tenure with New Orleans and Golden State.

There were sadly no career defining seasons that led to team success for our guy Boogie. The Kings never made the playoffs during his tenure and the playoff games he had with other teams were at a lesser point in his career. There were still career highlights for Cousins. He was a 4x All Star and 2x All NBA performer. More specifically, Cousins had a 56 point game in January 17 with the Kings, setting a new career high. I also want to mention how fun to watch the Cousin/ Anthony Davis duo was in New Orleans. While he was one of my favorite players in the mid 2010s I acknowledge that Boogie was a flawed player. My only wish was that he would’ve been teamed up with another star caliber player in Sacramento. It would have been a blast to see him go on a playoff run with the Kings.

Ben Wallace

I have watched Ben Wallace highlights too many times to admit. Those highlights are full of dunks, blocks, and steals, and I love every second of it. Big Ben is the only player on this list to never average 10 points in a season. His role was never to be an offensive force, his value came from his domination on the defensive end. Few people have ever deserved the DAWG name more than Wallace. He earned his living on the defensive end and anchored a lock down Pistons defense. As a undersized player at the center position (6’9) Ben had to rely on his athleticism and tenacity to carve out a role in the NBA. Wallace played each game like he was on a one day contract. After starting his college journey at a community college, Wallace finished at Division II Virginia Union University. The underdog story continued as he went undrafted and it took several seasons in the NBA before he found his home in Detroit. This path lead to his DAWG mentality and constant hustle on both ends of the floor. When watching a 2000s Pistons game it was impossible not to notice the domination and effort of Wallace.

Big Ben’s career is filled to the brim with accolades that ultimately led him to the Hall of Fame. Wallace was a 4x All Star, 2x Rebounding Champ, 1x Block Champ, 5x All NBA, 6x All Defensive Team, and 4x Defensive Player of the Year. That was a lot to write but also necessary to list. Ben was so admired by his peers and deserved each and every one of these accolades. Also think about winning DPOY 4 times. That ties Ben Wallace for the most DPOY wins of all time. For 3 consecutive years, Wallace averaged 3 or more blocks per game establishing his defensive dominance. The culmination of these awards and Wallace’s hard work came in 2004 when the Piston won the NBA Title. Adding NBA Champion to his accolades was no easy feat as Big Ben was matched up with Shaquille O’Neal. This was prime Shaq and our defensive juggernaut held his own (even got the better of Shaq at times) against the most dominant force the NBA has ever seen. To add to the awards and dominance, Wallace had an incredible afro and was the best pre game introduction from the Pistons PA announcer, which made Wallace the coolest guy in the NBA.

Honorable Mentions:

Paul Pierce

Kemba Walker

Dwayne Wade

Kirk Hinrich

Kenneth Faried

Larry Hughes

Brian Scalabrine

Jeremy Lin

Cutting this list to just 10 players was really hard. There are players in the honorable mention section and beyond that I miss to this day. If I had a time machine or the location to the fountain of youth, I’d bring these players back to their primes in a heartbeat. Each player brought their own unique skillset to the game. This impacted me and likely countless other fans across the globe. The good news about the NBA is that great players are always popping up. So while I miss these stars of the past, there will be new, unique stars to fill their place.