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NBA: 25 Least-Deserving NBA All-Stars

By Phil Watson

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; General view of the opening tipoff as Eastern Conference forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls (16) and Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) during the first quarter of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; General view of the opening tipoff as Eastern Conference forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls (16) and Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) during the first quarter of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Basketball: Boston Celtics John Havlicek (17) in action vs Denver Nuggets Bobby Jones (24) at McNichols Sports Arena.Denver, CO 3/1/1978CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X22247 )
Basketball: Boston Celtics John Havlicek (17) in action vs Denver Nuggets Bobby Jones (24) at McNichols Sports Arena.Denver, CO 3/1/1978CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X22247 ) /

8. John Havlicek, 1978

How Chosen: Injury replacement for Pete Maravich

John Havlicek was playing out his 16th and final season with the Boston Celtics in 1977-78, but it was far from a happy time.

The Celtics had fallen from grace … hard. Boston was just 17-30 at the All-Star break and longtime coach Tom Heinsohn had long since been fired.

As for Hondo, he was averaging 15 points a game at the break. But when starting guard Pete Maravich of the New Orleans Jazz pulled out of the contest with a knee injury, commissioner Larry O’Brien chose Havlicek to fill the roster spot and East coach Billy Cunningham of the Philadelphia 76ers penciled him into the starting lineup.

From a sentimental point of view, it was a great choice. But since this is coming at things from a different point of view, there were a number of different ways the pick could have gone.

Havlicek was on the ballot as a forward, but was chosen to replace a guard. Calvin Murphy of the Houston Rockets, Campy Russell of the Cleveland Cavaliers or George McGinnis of the 76ers could have been viable options.

John Drew of the Atlanta Hawks, however, was having a terrific year. The Hawks were 24-27, in the playoff hunt after several bad years, and Drew was averaging 21.1 points a game at the All-Star break.

Hondo played 22 minutes in the East’s 133-125 win at The Omni in Atlanta, scoring 10 points with three rebounds and an assist while shooting 5-for-8.

It was Havlicek’s 13th and final All-Star nod. Drew had been selected previously in 1976 and would get a second berth in 1980.

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