The NBA has been around for over 70 years, and during that time, there have been countless players who have made an impact on the league. Some of these players, like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, are household names and will forever be remembered as legends of the game. However, there are also plenty of players who have fallen through the cracks of history and are not often talked about. Here are some forgotten NBA stars from the merger to the Lottery era.
1. Jack Sikma – Sikma was a seven-time All-Star who spent the majority of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics. He was known for his all-around game and was one of the best big men of his time. Sikma won an NBA championship with the Sonics in 1979 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
2. Adrian Dantley – Dantley was one of the best scorers of his era, averaging over 30 points per game in two different seasons. He was a six-time All-Star and won a gold medal with the 1976 USA Olympic basketball team. Dantley’s career was cut short due to injuries, but he still finished with over 23,000 points scored.
3. Sidney Moncrief – Moncrief was a five-time All-Star who played his entire career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was known for his smothering defense and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row. Moncrief helped lead the Bucks to seven straight playoff appearances in the 1980s but never won a championship.
4. Lafayette Lever – Lever was a versatile player who could play multiple positions and fill up the stat sheet. He averaged a triple-double in the 1986-87 season, one of only four players in NBA history to accomplish the feat. Lever was a two-time All-Star, but his career was derailed by injuries.
5. Cedric Maxwell – Maxwell was a key member of the Boston Celtics’ championship teams in 1981 and 1984. He was known for his clutch performances in the playoffs and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1981. Maxwell was a two-time All-Star, but his career was cut short by injuries.
These are just a few examples of forgotten NBA stars from the merger to the Lottery era. There are countless other players who have been overlooked by history but still played important roles in the development of the league. As the NBA continues to grow and evolve, it is important to remember the players who came before and paved the way for today’s stars.
