Image via Complex Original
In every NBA All-Star game there are guys left out for whatever reason. Whether it be due to injury, not enough years in the league, or straight-up hatred. This year's squad had a couple snubs but one can argue that those picked are still deserving. There were years that the likes of B.J. Armstrong and Anthony Mason were voted in by the fans. Then there was the time when Yao Ming was voted in over Kevin Love and his monster 2011 campaign. Some other head-scratching picks by the coaches and David Stern (he picks injury replacements) were Tyrone Hill, Jamaal Magloire, and Vlade Divac. Beautifully outrageous picks, no? But wait, there's more: Check out our picks for the 15 Worst NBA All-Stars Selections of All Time.
Written by Angel Diaz (@graffnameramo)
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15. Steve Francis
Year: 2004
Team: Rockets
Conference: West
Stats: 16.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.4 SPG
Voted In By: The fans
This was at the height of his popularity and boy did the fans love Stevie Franchise. He was a little man with big hops and was exciting to watch. 2004 would be his last trip to the All-Star game. Either Sam Cassel or Steve Nash would've been better choices. '04 would be the last time Francis would be able to trick us. He slowly began falling off the face of the Earth until he popped up with this gift to humanity.
14. Christian Laettner
Year: 1997
Team: Hawks
Conference: East
Stats: 18.7 PPG, 9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 SPG
Voted In By: The coaches
We admit, his numbers weren't that bad. Don't let that fool you, though. He's still Christian Laettner, arguably the most-hyped college player in history. Duke haters relished in his struggles while he was in the NBA and their heads more than likely exploded when he was named to the 1997 All-Star Game over Chris Webber and Joe Dumars. We think that was a pity pick.
13. Mehmet Okur
Year: 2007
Team: Jazz
Conference: West
Stats: 18.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.0 APG
Voted In By: Injury replacement
To be fair, there were a bunch of injuries to both squads that year, so Okur getting in with those numbers and shooting 38 percent from the arch isn't too far-fetched. He was an injury replacement to Steve Nash. Mehmet was the epitome of the stereotypical Euro big man. He was damn near seven feet and liked to shoot threes a little too much. His soft play should've kept him off.
12. Wally Szczerbiak
Year: 2002
Team: Timberwolves
Conference: West
Stats: 19.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.9 SPG
Voted In By: The coaches
Wally Ball was having a good year, but it's still uncalled for. All he did was shoot threes. That's it. They should've gave that spot to the ghost of Kadeem Hardison.
11. Vlade Divac
Year: 2001
Team: Kings
Conference: West
Stats: 12.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Voted In By: Injury replacement
We love Vlade, but his flopping alone should've had him banned from any extracurricular activities. The West already had Karl Malone, Shaq, David Robinson, KG, Duncan, Rasheed, Webber, and McDyess on the squad. What the hell were they trying to prove? They should've went with a third year Antwan Jamison who was averaging 25 and 9 for the Warriors.
10. Anthony Mason
Year: 2001
Team: Heat
Conference: East
Stats: 15.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG
Voted In By: The fans
Anthony Mason was voted in by the fans his first year with the Heat. Amazing, right? His style of play and hairstyle were fan favorites. He still should've never started an All-Star game. He was a decent player that left it out on the floor. He also instigated a few brawls in his day.
9. Tyrone Hill
Year: 1995
Team: Cavs
Conference: East
Stats: 13.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG
Voted In By: The coaches
There's no explanation as to how in the wide world of sports Tyrone Hill made an All-Star team, but he did in 1995. This was during a time where rookies rarely made the team, and it still remains that way to some degree. One thing is for sure, Glenn Robinson and his 20 and six should've made the team instead. Hill managed to play six minutes for the East in a blowout loss.
8. Kevin Duckworth
Year: 1991
Team: Blazers
Conference: West
Stats: 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.1 APG
Voted In By: The coaches
God rest his soul, but if it weren't for Hakeem Olajuwon getting injured before the All-Star break, Kevin Duckworth wouldn't had made the '91 squad. Duckworth was somewhat of a threat on the offensive end, but that was about it. He played a key role for those good Blazers teams, though.
7. Dale Davis
Year: 2000
Team: Pacers
Conference: East
Stats: 11.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG
Voted In By: The coaches
Basically, Patrick Ewing was a shell of his former self and the East needed another big body to round out the roster. Davis is a career garbage man and has the twilight of Pat's career to thank. Most of his points—if not all—came from putbacks. But he played tough defense and was a good rebounder. We guess every dog has its day.
6. Jamaal Magloire
Year: 2004
Team: Hornets
Conference: West
Stats: 12.1 PPG 9.4 RPG 1.3 APG 1.3 BPG
Voted In By: The coaches
Yes, Jamaal Magloire made an All-Star team and no, he wasn't an injury replacement. The year was 2004 and centers were scarce. All of the premier big men were on the West coast. And by all we mean ALL. The West had Garnett, Dirk, Shaq, and Duncan. While the East had Ben Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, and Jamaal Magloire. No pity parties around these parts.
5. B.J. Armstrong
Year: 1994
Team: Bulls
Conference: East
Stats: 15.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Voted In By: The fans
B.J. Armstrong was voted in by the fans because in the '90s everyone in their mama slurped the Bulls. Plus, they were sad Mike had retired prior to the season. B.J. wasn't a bum, but he had no business starting an All-Star game let alone being voted in by the fans. He could thank Scottie and Mike for that.
4. AC Green
Year: 1990
Team: Lakers
Conference: West
Stats: 13.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.0 APG
Voted In By: The fans
"Girl, you look like AC Green. Don't you call here anymore." That's AC's claim to fame, an outro on a Dr. Dre song. Oh, and this lone All-Star appearance (plus three chips with the Lakers, but who's counting, right?). And his sweet jheri curl. And his vow of abstinence that helped him not miss a game between 1988 and 2001.
3. Brad Miller
Year: 2003
Team: Pacers
Conference: East
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.7 APG
Voted In By: The coaches
Brad Miller is a two-time all-star, ladies and gentlemen. We don't know what else he does besides make a nice pass or make the occasional three. In no way shape or form should he be allowed to be introduced as: NBA All-Star Brad Miller. That is an injustice to us all.
2. James Donaldson
Year: 1988
Team: Mavs
Conference: West
Stats: 7.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.1 BPG
Voted In By: Injury replacement
Donaldson was an injury replacement for another not-so-great center named Steve Johnson. Donaldson was a big body and was selected to sure up the West's front line. Given his numbers, James had no business being in the All-Star game, but why have the best players play regardless of position, right? It's not like the game means anything.
1. Yao Ming
Year: 2011
Team: Rockets
Conference: West
Stats: 10.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG
Voted In By: The fans
We're sorry but sometimes the fans are idiots. They much rather vote for someone that's out for the year than actually watch the game. A couple players could've used those votes, like his injury replacement Kevin Love, for example. Yao played in only five games folks. Five! Meanwhile Love was posting Hall of Fame numbers. Numbers like 21 and 15! The coaches didn't even pick Love as a reserve! Incompetence all around.