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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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27 Dec 2000: Latrell Sprewell #8 of the New York Knicks is consoled by the referee during the game against the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center in Washingotn, DC. The Knicks defeated the Wizards 89-82. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
27 Dec 2000: Latrell Sprewell #8 of the New York Knicks is consoled by the referee during the game against the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center in Washingotn, DC. The Knicks defeated the Wizards 89-82. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

23. Latrell Sprewell, 2001

How Chosen: Injury replacement for Grant Hill

Latrell Sprewell was having a perfectly modest year for the New York Knicks when he was tabbed by commissioner David Stern to replace Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill on the Eastern Conference All-Star squad in 2001.

He came to the break averaging 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on a shooting split of .430/.342/.759. But the Knicks came into the break at 29-18, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the fourth-best record in the East and already had Allan Houston selected by the coaches as a reserve.

Spree played 15 minutes in the game at Washington’s MCI Center, scoring seven points with four assists and a rebound in the East’s 111-110 win.

Among the players Sprewell was chosen ahead of included Jalen Rose of the Indiana Pacers, Antoine Walker of the Boston Celtics, Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls and Paul Pierce, also from the Celtics.

Pierce was averaging 24.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists on .454/.371/.769 shooting at the All-Star break, but Boston was just 22-27, barely holding onto eighth place in the East.

In his third season in 2000-01, Pierce would break through with an All-Star bid in 2002. Sprewell made his fourth and final All-Star appearance in 2001.

Next: Better Late Than Not At All?