The most unlikely NBA stars

[bdm860]

Anthony Mason.

Didn't play D1 or even D2 college ball, played in the NAIA at Tennessee State.

3rd round draft pick in '88.

Cut by the Blazers before ever playing.
Played in Turkey, Venezula, rhe CBA, and the USBL.

In 89-90, he could only get in 21 games and play a total of 108 minutes for the Nets who won a total of 17 games that year (worst in the league).  In 90-91, he could only get in 3 games and play 21 minutes for the 20 win Denver Nuggets (also worst in the league that year).  So basically the 2 worst teams in the league gave him a look and passed.  That's usually not a good sign for your basketball career.

Finally Pat Riley signed the 25 year old Mason in '91 and he became a stud.  All-Star, 6th man of the year, All NBA, and All-Defensive team, and of course some cool haircuts.  Who would have thunk it?

[Celticai]

Jiri Welsch.

[action781]

Anthony Mason.

Didn't play D1 or even D2 college ball, played in the NAIA at Tennessee State.

3rd round draft pick in '88.

Cut by the Blazers before ever playing.
Played in Turkey, Venezula, rhe CBA, and the USBL.

In 89-90, he could only get in 21 games and play a total of 108 minutes for the Nets who won a total of 17 games that year (worst in the league).  In 90-91, he could only get in 3 games and play 21 minutes for the 20 win Denver Nuggets (also worst in the league that year).  So basically the 2 worst teams in the league gave him a look and passed.  That's usually not a good sign for your basketball career.

Finally Pat Riley signed the 25 year old Mason in '91 and he became a stud.  All-Star, 6th man of the year, All NBA, and All-Defensive team, and of course some cool haircuts.  Who would have thunk it?

Wow, you know a lot about Anthony Mason.  Are you his brother or friend or something?   

[nickagneta]

Except Delonte played down the stretch in those games and the offense was terrible.

I don't think Delonte played that poorly in those games.  He had 20 points on 8/16 shooting in 50 minutes in games 4 & 5 combined.  Only 1 assist though, but not too bad for a 2nd stringer.  Rondo only gave us 16 points and 8 assists in the 68 total minutes he played in those 2 games.  I'd say Delonte outperformed Rondo based on stats, but moreso, just from my recollection of the games.

And if we're talking about down the stretch... the defining moment that I believe lost us that playoff series was Rondo's missed layup.  KG's inability to go up strong against D-Wade was #2.

I agree with GreenEnvy that Delonte should have played a lot more.  I remember begging for it while watching.

Let's not forget that Delonte was also hurt for most of the playoffs and was playing at less than 100% as well. Doc had the following choices at PG:

A severely limited Rondo
A limited Delonte
A rookie Bradley
A veteran Arroyo that didn't know the team offense.

[BballTim]

Except Delonte played down the stretch in those games and the offense was terrible.

I don't think Delonte played that poorly in those games.  He had 20 points on 8/16 shooting in 50 minutes in games 4 & 5 combined.  Only 1 assist though, but not too bad for a 2nd stringer.  Rondo only gave us 16 points and 8 assists in the 68 total minutes he played in those 2 games.  I'd say Delonte outperformed Rondo based on stats, but moreso, just from my recollection of the games.

And if we're talking about down the stretch... the defining moment that I believe lost us that playoff series was Rondo's missed layup.  KG's inability to go up strong against D-Wade was #2.

I agree with GreenEnvy that Delonte should have played a lot more.  I remember begging for it while watching.

  Rondo was a combined -2 in games 4 and 5, Delonte a -25. When Rondo was on the bench we were a -16, presumably with Delonte playing pg.

[ram]

Bob Love-4th round pick, multiple All-Star games

2nd round picks/All-Stars:
Tiny Archibald
World B. Free
Randy Smith

[u2larkin04]

me

[ACF]

Michael Adams - 5'10", couldn't dunk, but managed to have a 26 pt, 10 assist season and make an All-Star team in a different season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxxuUcFEUPA

[BASS_THUMPER]

http://www.youtube.com/v/qm8RKitpNCk?version=3&hl=en_US

b scal~

[dark_lord]

currently....jj barea has to be brought up.  guy wasnt drafted, came from northeastern, and worked his tail off in camps and summer league to make a roster and earn his way as a key component to a championship team

[thirstyboots18]

Delonte West

[Cman]

Jiri Welsch.

um, NBA star?