Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The 25 best NBA players never to make an All-Star game

By Josh Cornelissen

DENVER - NOVEMBER 9: Marcus Camby #23 of the Denver Nuggets pumps his fist after a big play against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter on November 9, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DENVER - NOVEMBER 9: Marcus Camby #23 of the Denver Nuggets pumps his fist after a big play against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter on November 9, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 25
Next

The 25 best NBA players never to make an All-Star game — 10. Cedric Maxwell

In the 1980s, Kevin McHale twice won Sixth Man of the Year before ascending to the starting lineup as a future Hall of Fame power forward. The reason that it took him so long to start was that the Boston Celtics had the talented and productive Cedric Maxwell already starting alongside Larry Bird.

After a light role in his rookie season, Maxwell exploded as a second-year player, averaging 19 points per game on a fast-paced Celtics team waiting for Bird to finish his college career. Then he settled in as the number two option, starting for two championship teams in Boston during the 1980s.

Eventually, Maxwell would be moved to clear space for McHale, and he played three more seasons for the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets. His best years, however, came with the Celtics. It is said the late-80s Celtics had the best frontcourt in NBA history with Robert Parish, McHale and Bird; Mr. Maxwell would like to submit an incredibly stout front line from the early 80s as well.

Closest Call: Maxwell was a monster in his second and third seasons, and either one was a worthy All-Star candidate. His best year overall was the latter, 1980-81, as he topped it all with a sublime performance in the NBA postseason. He led all postseason players in true shooting, amassed 2.5 playoff win shares and won Finals MVP as the Celtics brought home the hardware.