Only A True NBA Fan Can Name These Old School All-Stars
- by Jocelyn Harper
- – on
- in Sports
NBA All Stars. A time when the best of the best get to play. Wikipedia defines it like this, "The NBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played between the Eastern-Conference and the Western-Conference All-Stars. It is the main event of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Twelve players—five starters and seven reserves—from each conference are chosen from a pool of 120 players—60 players from each conference with 24 guards and 24 front courts."
In this quiz we will list out 35 different All Stars from days past, and see who can name them based off their photo and description. Some of them are tricky with names that sound quite similar. A basketball lover or even a sports history lover should be able to knock out this quiz, with no problem at all!
The list of NBA All Stars is long, but we've chosen many recognizable faces from our favorite teams. So anyone who calls themselves a true NBA fan should give this quiz a try! Those who get 100% are the real MVP and must be protected for the love of basketball! Those who miss a few, no worries, just get back up and try again!
Which NBA player is this?
This player is "an American retired professional basketball player, who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 seasons. He was a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Second Team member. In high school: A four-year varsity starter, he was considered to be one of the top four or five players nationally his senior year, and led his team to the state championship finals." (Wikipedia) He played for the Seattle SuperSonics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Orlando Magic. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This is a very well known player, who is a super star when it comes to scoring on the basketball court. "After winning 71 consecutive basketball games on his high school team in New York City, this player was recruited by Jerry Norman, the assistant coach of UCLA,[6] where he played for coach John Wooden on three consecutive national championship teams and was a record three-time MVP of the NCAA Tournament. Drafted with the first overall pick by the one-season-old Bucks franchise in the 1969 NBA draft, this player spent six seasons in Milwaukee." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Here we have a life long Laker, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers his entire time in the NBA. He had many nicknames, according to Wikipedia. "His nicknames included Mr. Clutch, for his ability to make a big play in a clutch situation, such as his famous buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks; The Logo, in reference to his silhouette being incorporated into the NBA logo; Mr. Outside, in reference to his perimeter play with the Los Angeles Lakers; and Zeke from Cabin Creek, for the creek near his birthplace of Chelyan, West Virginia."
Which NBA player is this?
"This player became known playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early 1970s, winning three successive College Player of the Year Awards, while leading the Bruins to two national titles. He then went on to have a prominent career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) where he was a league Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won two NBA championships. His professional career was significantly hampered by multiple foot injuries." (Wikipedia) He played for the Trail Blazers, the Clippers and the Celtics. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Next up we have a player who was known to fans as "Nate the Great". Wikipedia writes, "He played the center and power forward positions. He was a seven-time All-Star and the first player in NBA history to record an official quadruple-double. In 1965, he grabbed 42 rebounds in a game; only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell recorded more rebounds in an NBA game." He was originally from Ohio but moved as he changed teams over the years. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This player is a super star, with a most recognizable face and brand. "He played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. His biography on the official NBA website states: "Most say he is the greatest basketball player of all time." This player was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. He is currently the principal owner and chairman of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This player "joined the NBA with the San Diego Rockets in 1968 and went on to lead the NBA in scoring with 28.4 points per game, averaged 17.1 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. This player was acquired by the Baltimore Bullets from the Rockets for Jack Marin on June 23, 1972. He teamed with Hall-Of-Famer Wes Unseld to form a fierce and dominating front court combination. The 18.1 rebounds per game he averaged in 1974 is the third highest rebounding average of any NBA player since Wilt Chamberlain retired in 1973." (Wikipedia) Who can name this player?
Which NBA player is this?
Forever an 76er, this player never left his team throughout his career. "He was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1958 through 1973. A guard, this player was a 10-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team seven times. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and he had his uniform number retired by the 76ers." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Here we have a true first round pick. This player "was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 1984 NBA draft with the 16th overall pick. He spent his entire professional playing career as a point guard for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA), from 1984 to 2003. He is regarded as one of the best point guards of all time, holding the NBA records for most career assists and steals by considerable margins." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This player was super influential during him time with the Knicks. "As their floor general, he led the New York Knicks to the franchise's only two championships (1970 and 1973), and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. Upon his retirement from basketball, he went into broadcasting; he is currently a color commentator for telecasts of Knicks games on the MSG Network." (Wikipedia) He also played with the Cleveland Cavaliers for three years at the end of his career. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This former NBA player "spent his entire NBA career with the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. He was drafted by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1968 American Basketball Association draft, and was drafted second overall in the first round by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1968 NBA draft." (Wikipedia) Here is a fun fact: His son is currently the assistant coach of the Denver Nuggets. He is a player who was born and raised in Kentucky. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Here is a player from Louisiana and played for 3 different teams. "He is an American retired professional basketball player. He played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969 and won 11 championships rings during his 13 seasons as an NBA player. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty, winning eleven NBA championships during his thirteen-year career." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Who can recall the player that was nicknamed "The Big O"? He was an excellent player in his day. According to Wikipedia, "He is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. He played point guard and was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and one-time winner of the MVP award in 14 professional seasons. In 1962, he became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Look at all those rings! He started his professional basketball career in 1971. "He was commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American retired basketball player who helped popularize a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim. He helped legitimize the American Basketball Association (ABA) and was the best-known player in that league when it merged with the National Basketball Association after the 1975–76 season. He is now a coach of Tri-State of the BIG3." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Coming in at 7 feet, 1 in is a player we loved to watch! "This player was known by several nicknames during his basketball playing career. He hated the ones that called attention to his height such as "Goliath" and "Wilt the Stilt", which was coined during his high school days by a Philadelphia sports writer. He preferred "The Big Dipper", which was inspired by his friends who saw him dip his head as he walked through doorways." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Wikipedia writes, "Nicknamed "Chuck", "Sir Charles", and "The Round Mound of Rebound", this player established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominant power forwards. An All-American center at Auburn, he was drafted as a junior by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 5th pick of the 1984 NBA draft. He was selected to the All-NBA First Team five times, the All-NBA Second Team five times, and once to the All-NBA Third Team." He is an all star for a good reason! Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
"This player is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a commentator, television host, and analyst. Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star, three-time NBA champion, and the 1988 NBA Finals MVP with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA)." (Wikipedia) This player hails from North Carolina and played for the Los Angeles Lakers for the entirety of his time as a basketball player. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This guy is a mega star and holds many records! "Nicknamed "The Mailman", Malone played the power forward position and spent his first 18 seasons (1985–2003) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Utah Jazz and formed a formidable duo with his teammate John Stockton. Malone also played one season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Malone was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a 14-time NBA All-Star, and an 11-time member of the All-NBA first team. His 36,928 career points scored rank second all-time in NBA history (behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and he holds the records for most free throws attempted and made." (Wikipedia)
Which NBA player is this?
This Californian NBA star is a shooting guard. "This players list of individual accolades are extensive; he gained ten NBA All-Star designations, he won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 2000 United States men's basketball team, and he also holds NBA records in career three-point field goals made in both the regular and postseason. He is also considered one of the best shooters of all-time." (Wikipedia) He played for four different teams all around the country during his time as a player. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This is a pretty recognizable player. "He played college basketball for the California Golden Bears and was drafted second overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 1994 NBA draft. He was named co-NBA Rookie of the Year in his first season with the Mavericks. Then, from 1996 to 2001, he played for the Phoenix Suns and later for the New Jersey Nets from 2001 to 2008. He led the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Wikipedia gives us some facts about this NBA All star. "At 6'9", he played the center and occasionally the power forward position. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. Most recently he served as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, and then as a special assistant to Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, prior to Dumars' regime being replaced by that of Stan Van Gundy." It is a classic story of going from player to head coach. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This player is an athlete and a businessman. Wikipedia says, "After starting at Syracuse University, he played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association as a guard for the Detroit Pistons (1966 to 1975), Washington Bullets (1975 to 1977), and Boston Celtics (1977–78). During his career, he averaged over 20 points and six assists per game and made seven NBA All-Star appearances, winning the game's Most Valuable Player award in 1976. The Pistons celebrated his career accomplishments with the retirement of his #21 jersey." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This guy is comedy, and we love to see him on TV. "This player was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He quickly became one of the best centers in the league, winning Rookie of the Year in 1992–93 and leading his team to the 1995 NBA Finals. After four years with the Magic, he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Amid tension between him and Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, and his fourth NBA championship followed in 2006."
Which NBA player is this?
His real first name is Earvin, but no one really calls him that! "retired professional basketball player and current president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He played point guard for the Lakers for 13 seasons. After winning championships in high school and college, he was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers. He won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season, and won four more championships with the Lakers during the 1980s." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
"This basketball player who competed for 16 seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning eight NBA championships, four of them coming in his first four seasons. In the National Basketball Association, only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones won more championships during their playing careers, and he is one of three NBA players with an unsurpassed 8–0 record in NBA Finals series outcomes. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game and was inducted as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This player "was considered a phenomenon in professional basketball: a championship-caliber player, he toiled in a small market and never sought to call attention to himself. Compared at every turn to the better-known Michael Jordan, he progressed year by year. Philadelphia Inquirer correspondent Mike Bruton commended him for his "silky-smooth style that ranges from explosiveness when he assaults the hoop on the fast break to the utmost in finesse when he softly launches a three-pointer or beats his man on a baseline drive" (Encyclopedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Here is an NBA legend. Here are his stats from NBA.com: "Nine-time NBA All-Star. Four-time NBA champion (three with Celtics). Named to 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list. No. 00 jersey retired by Celtics. Played 14 seasons with Celtics Acquired, along with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1980 NBA Draft, on June 9, 1980, from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the No. 1 and No. 13 picks in the 1980 NBA Draft." His nickname was "The Chief." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This Hall of Famer is from Arkansas. This player "teamed up with Michael Jordan to lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles. In 1996, he was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players. In the 1987 NBA Draft, the Seattle Supersonics selected the power forward with the fifth overall pick. Just a few weeks later, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls for eventual journeyman Olden Polynice and a draft pick, to team up with Michael Jordan and a crew of other young players." (Biography) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
64 Parishes writes, "When this Louisiana player retired from the National Basketball Association in 1965, he was widely regarded as an all-time great and had earned two Most Valuable Player awards. He attended Louisiana State University (LSU) in the early 1950s and was regarded as the greatest basketball player in the school’s history until the arrival of Pete Maravich in the late 1960s. He then went on to a stellar professional career, retiring in 1965 as the all-time leading scorer and second-best rebounder in the National Basketball Association (NBA)." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This player was known for rebounds and scoring! The website Biography writes: "This player was born in Washington, D.C., in 1934. An All-American at Seattle University, he led the team to the 1958 NCAA finals. That same year the Minneapolis Lakers selected him with the number one pick in the NBA draft. Over his 14-year career, he was one of the most dominant scorers in the league. Knee problems forced him to retire partway through the 1971-72 season." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
A fun fact brought to us by Fox Sports is that this player "actually grew up as a champion swimmer in his native St. Croix. He only picked up basketball after a hurricane swept through his native country and left the only pool on the island unsuitable for use. He won Rookie of the Year with the Spurs in 1998. He also won Rookie of the Month every single month during that season." What a great player. Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This retired player is 6'7" and played for five different teams. "Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in history by the NBA in 1996, he is the only player to lead the National Collegiate Athletic Association, ABA, and NBA in scoring for an individual season. He was known for his unorthodox but effective underhand free throw shooting technique, and at the time of his retirement in 1980 his .900 free throw percentage ranked first in NBA history. In 1987, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is the father of five former NBA players."
Which NBA player is this?
The quiz is almost over! "This guy played his entire career with the Nationals and their successor, the Philadelphia 76ers, from 1948 to 1964. In his 16-year career, he led his team into the playoffs 15 times. Towards the end of his playing career, he became a player-coach with Philadelphia. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into a pure coaching role with the 76ers, earning NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1966. He briefly coached with the Buffalo Braves." (Wikipedia) Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
This player is nicknamed The Answer. "He played for fourteen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) at both the shooting guard and point guard positions. He was an eleven-time NBA All-Star, won the All-Star game MVP award in 2001 and 2005, and was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2001. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016." (Wikipedia) Britannica adds, "He became the first great athlete to be strongly identified with the hip-hop movement." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!
Which NBA player is this?
Many are familiar with this All Star, but if not Joke Bio gives us these details: "This player was offered more than 50 basketball scholarships. One school, Bethune-Cookman, offered him a music scholarship. Shaquille O’Neal once called him his favorite player. Shaq says he’s “Half man, half amazing.” This player was a second-team All-American in 1998. Also, this player is one of only 10 players in history to have a career playoff average over 25 points a game." Whoever can correctly name this NBA All Star is one step closer to acing this basketball quiz!