Top 10 One Season Wonders in NBA
These NBA one season wonders with their short bursts of brilliance, left unforgettable moments in the league before quickly disappearing into wilderness.
- Rajat Srivastava
- 4 min read
Some NBA players shine the brightest for just one season, leaving a strong mark on the court before fading from the spotlight. From Jeremy Lin’s much talked about ‘Linsanity’ season to Tyreke Evans’ historic rookie campaign and Larry Sanders’ dominance on the court. These one season wonders left their mark. Whether it was a surprise All Star call up, a successful playoff run or going on a record breaking scoring performance, each of these players gave fans a thrilling spectacle and showcased their basketball greatness for a short period of time.
10. Lamar Odom
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In 2003–04 season, Odom outshone everyone for the Heats. He was averaging 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He led a young team to the playoffs of the NBA. Thus, showing extraordinary all-round skills on the court with strong leadership traits. Though he later won championships with the Lakers, he was pushed to a supporting role. Odom was never able to match that season’s brilliance again.
9. Larry Hughes
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Hughes was present all around the court for the Wizards in the 2004-05 season. He was scoring for fun with an average of around 22 points along with beautiful assists. Hughes was also leading the NBA that season with 2.9 steals. He earned All Defensive honors and seemed like a star on the rise. Unfortunately, injuries and reduced production followed. This ultimately led to his downfall in the league.
8. Jamaal Magloire
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Magloire’s 2003–04 season was nothing short of a phenomena. The Hornets’ main man averaged around 14 points and 10 rebounds per match. He dominated the inside of the court with his strong rebounding skills along with the strong built. Though he continued to play in the league for years, but Magloire was never able to hit those solid numbers again in the NBA.
7. Richard Dumas
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Dumas brought infectious energy to the Suns in the 1992-93 season. He averaged around 16 points and helped them reach the NBA Finals. His athleticism and scoring ability aided him to become a rising star alongside Charles Barkley. Unfortunately, personal issues hampered his career growth. His extraordinary rookie season is still remembered of what could have been a spectacular career.
6. Mike James
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James shocked the league in 2005–06 with the Raptors, averaging around 20 points per game. He suddenly climbed up the ladder to become a go to scorer and playmaker for his team. James was hitting big shots regularly for the Raptors. That season gave him a recognition in the league and a solid future contract. But James couldn’t repeat his heroics, making the season stand out in his modest career.
5. Willie Burton
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Burton’s 1994–95 season was his career’s peak moment. Playing for the 76ers, he surprised everyone with his explosive scoring. Burton even dropped a whopping 53 points in one game. His mid-aggressive approach provided the 76ers with an offensive weapon. However, his brilliance didn’t last long, and he quickly faded away from the centre stage of the NBA.
4. Larry Sanders
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In 2012–13 season, Sanders emerged as a defensive rock for the Bucks, almost averaging a double-double with around 3 blocks per match. He defended the paint with all his might, thus engaging the fans with his performance. His combination of struggle and protection of the rim quickly made him one of the league’s most intimidating persona that season. However, off court issues and injuries quickly led to his decline.
3. Dana Barros
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In 1994–95 season, Barros surprised everyone with an average of around 20.5 points and 7.5 assists per game, gaining an All Star spot. He also won the Most Improved Player award. Barros became the 76ers’ s main man that season by leading their offense. Sadly, he never matched that level of performance again, making his breakout year one of the most surprising one in the history of NBA.
2. Tyreke Evans
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As a rookie in 2009–10, Evans delivered an extraordinary season. He averaged around 20 points and 5 assists per game. Evans, thus joined the list of legends like Oscar Robertson and LeBron James with this performance. The Kings considered him as their future star. While injuries and inconsistency stopped him from repeating that performance, his debut season remains one of the most impressive in recent history of NBA.
1. Jeremy Lin
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In 2011–12, “Linsanity” took over the NBA season. Lin’s journey was extraordinary. He went from an undrafted underdog to New York Knicks hero, averaging over 24 points and 9 assists during his peak stretch. His fearless shots and clutch performances made him an overnight sensation. Although injuries and team changes slowed him, his short burst of performance became one of the NBA’s most talked about underdog story.