As we head into All-Star weekend, here’s a look at the best active NBA players who have never made an All-Star roster (all players are in their fifth season at minimum).
15. DeAndre Jordan - C - Los Angeles Clippers
Getty ImagesSay what you will about the way DeAndre Jordan handled his agreement with the Dallas Mavericks over the offseson, but there's no denying what he's capable of on the court. This season, Jordan was likely the biggest All-Star snub, as he's averaging 12.1 points, 14 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and has stepped up in a major way for the Los Angeles Clippers in Blake Griffin's absence.
14. Mike Conley - PG - Memphis Grizzlies
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Playing his entire career in Memphis has caused Mike Conley to go ridiculously underrated by NBA media and fans alike. Now in his ninth season, Conley is averaging 13.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game which isn't overwhelming, but keep in mind he's one of the best defending point guards in the world. Conley can score the ball at a much higher rate if need be, he's just never been asked to. Conley will have to leave Memphis and join a more popular team if in order to receive proper respect it seems.
13. Serge Ibaka - PF - Oklahoma City Thunder
Getty ImagesSerge Ibaka is in his seventh season in the league with Oklahoma City Thunder, which means he's essentially been hidden in the shadows of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant for his whole career. Ibaka's an excellent player who's averaging 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, and is capable of doing far more scoring if the Thunder ever need him to. Unless he leaves the Thunder and joins a team where he plays a bigger role, NBA aficionados will never truly understand how good Ibaka can be.
12. Monta Ellis - PG/SG - Indiana Pacers
Getty ImagesMonta Ellis got the reputation of being a compiler years ago with the Golden State Warriors, and has never gotten adequate respect for what he's accomplished over his 11-year career. It's hard to believe, but even during the 2009-10 season in which he averaged 25.5 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game, Ellis wasn't named an All-Star. At 30 years old, the chances of it ever coming to fruition are dwindling for the veteran combo guard.
11. Al Jefferson - C - Charlotte Hornets
Getty ImagesJefferson might not be the greatest defensive center of all time, but he's undoubtedly dynamic on offense. During the 2008-09 season with Minnesota, Jefferson averaged 23.1 points and 11 rebounds per game, yet was didn't make the All-Star team which is simply unfathomable.
Jefferson's now on the wrong side of 30 (31 years old), and is beginning to break down. Chances are, he will retire before making an All-Star appearance.
Other than his first three seasons in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, Al Jefferson has played his whole career on teams that fly under the national radar (Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets) which has led the masses to underrate his skill set.
Jefferson might not be the greatest defensive center of all time, but he's undoubtedly dynamic on offense. During the 2008-09 season with Minnesota, Jefferson averaged 23.1 points and 11 rebounds per game, yet was didn't make the All-Star team which is simply unfathomable.
Jefferson's now on the wrong side of 30 (31 years old), and is beginning to break down. Chances are, he will retire before making an All-Star appearance.
10. Goran Dragic - PG - Miami Heat
Getty ImagesDragic has some time left at 29 years old, but the odds of him receiving an All-Star nod at this point appear to be slim-to-none.
Goran Dragic isn't putting up monstrous stat lines this season with the Miami Heat, but this is mainly due to the Heat's defense-first mentality. Just two seasons ago with the Phoenix Suns, Dragic averaged 20.3 points and 5.9 assists per game, yet wasn't named an All-Star despite also playing defense at an elite level.
Dragic has some time left at 29 years old, but the odds of him receiving an All-Star nod at this point appear to be slim-to-none.
9. Gordon Hayward - SF - Utah Jazz
Getty ImagesGordon Hayward is in his sixth NBA season already at just 25 years old, and although he's come close on a number of occasions, the uber-talented wing still has yet to be named an All-Star. With Kobe Bryant retiring, a spot opens up on the wing next season in the Western Conference, and Hayward appears to be a prime candidate to fill the void.
8. Nene Hilario - PF - Washington Wizards
Getty ImagesNene Hilario's inability to stay healthy throughout his career undoubtedly hindered his chances of making the All-Star team over the years, especially during his prime in Denver. Hilario is still a solid role player, but at 33 years old, the Brazilian power forward is on the back nine of his career, and will unfortunately retire without ever receiving the nod.
7. Richard Jefferson - SF - Cleveland Cavaliers
Getty ImagesAt 35 years old and in his 15th NBA season, Richard Jefferson will retire at some point over the next few years having never been an All-Star, which is hard to believe. During the 2004-05 season with the New Jersey Nets, Jefferson averaged 22.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, yet he was somehow not even acknowledged as a reserve.
6. Nikola Vucevic - C - Orlando Magic
Getty ImagesNikola Vucevic is in his fifth NBA season, and is just finally starting to become a household name among NBA aficionados. The European center is averaging 17.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and three assists this season and, in my opinion, should have big selected over Chris Bosh for the Eastern Conference.
5. Tayshaun Prince - SF - Minnesota Timberwolves
Getty ImagesTayshaun Prince never did one thing amazing, but always did everything well during his prime with the Detroit Pistons. He was the unsung hero on the 2004 Detroit Pistons team that defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals, but will sadly retire having never made an All-Star appearance.
4. Derrick Favors - PF - Utah Jazz
Getty ImagesDerrick Favors is having the best statistical campaign of his six-year career this season, averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. There was some talk of Favors making the team as a reserve, but big-men with more notable names like Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins got the nod instead despite playing on horrible teams. Favors will be an All-Star within the next two seasons -- you can write it down in permanent marker.
3. Greg Monroe - C - Milwaukee Bucks
Getty ImagesGreg Monroe is in his sixth NBA season despite being just 25 years old, and has essentially been putting up stellar stat lines from the moment he began his career with the Detroit Pistons back in 2010. This season, Monroe is averaging 16.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and is clearly one of the most underrated centers in the association.
2. Rudy Gay - SF - Sacramento Kings
Getty ImagesNow in his 10th season, Gay is averaging 18.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for his career, which is better than what the majority of wing players are able to muster in this modern-day, minimally physical NBA game. At 29 years old, it seems like no matter what Gay does over the remainder of his career, he is destined to never make the All-Star team.
Rudy Gay is oftentimes known more for not living up to the potential he had coming out of UConn than anything positive he's done on the court, but he's been much better than anyone wants to give him credit for.
Now in his 10th season, Gay is averaging 18.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for his career, which is better than what the majority of wing players are able to muster in this modern-day, minimally physical NBA game. At 29 years old, it seems like no matter what Gay does over the remainder of his career, he is destined to never make the All-Star team.
1. Kenneth Faried - PF - Denver Nuggets
Chris Humphreys-USA Today SportsKenneth Faried is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and has been since he broke into the league with the Denver Nuggets in 2011. Faried is now in his fifth season, and has yet to be named an All-Star despite the fact that he's averaging 12.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in just 26.8 minutes per game for his career. Faried is only 26 years old, so he has plenty of time to reach the achievement, but he might have to join a team with a higher profile to receive adequate respect.
