Highest-Scoring Seasons By NBA Players Who Did Not Make The All-Star Team

The best players in the NBA usually end up making the All-Star Team, and that is especially true when discussing the best offensive stars in the game. However, as we saw in 2023-24 with Trae Young (who is now an All-Star replacement) and De’Aaron Fox, having great scoring seasons doesn’t automatically lead to an All-Star berth.

We have collected the 10 highest-scoring seasons by players that did not lead to All-Star Team selections. While some occurred in previous generations, there are a lot of modern stars who simply could not make the cut.

1. Bradley Beal – 30.5 PPG (2019-20)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Bradley Beal’s 2019-20 season was nothing short of spectacular. Averaging an impressive 30.5 points per game, Beal emerged as one of the most potent scorers in the league. Despite the Washington Wizards facing numerous challenges throughout the season including a 25-47 record, Beal consistently delivered outstanding performances, shouldering the offensive load for his team.

His ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates was on full display night in and night out as he shot 45.5% from the field and 35.3% from three. While his brilliance was undeniable, Beal’s omission from the All-Star Game highlighted the competitiveness of the league and the depth of talent among his peers.

2. World B. Free – 28.8 PPG (1978-79)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Getty Images

In the 1978-1979 season, World B. Free dazzled fans with his scoring prowess, averaging an impressive 28.8 points per game. His electrifying playing style and ability to light up the scoreboard made him a fan favorite and he is without question one of the most talented players in the 1970s.

Free’s knack for putting the ball in the basket was unmatched, as he consistently showcased his scoring ability night after night. Despite his remarkable individual performance, Free’s exclusion from the All-Star Game mainly came down to the fact that guards such as Paul Westphal and Dennis Johnson earned so many votes in the same position.

3. Nate Archibald – 28.2 PPG (1971-72)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Archibald’s 1971-72 campaign was defined by his scoring prowess, as he averaged an impressive 28.2 points per game. Known for his quickness and playmaking ability, Archibald was a force to be reckoned with on the court. His ability to penetrate defenses and finish at the rim made him a nightmare matchup for opposing teams.

Despite his outstanding individual performance, Archibald’s absence from the All-Star Game underscores the depth of talent in the NBA during that era the stiff competition for All-Star selections and the fact that “Tiny” was only in his second season and made the All-NBA Second Team considering how well he finished the season on the stat sheet.

4. Purvis Short – 28.0 PPG (1984-85)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

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As a prolific scorer for the Golden State Warriors, the 6’7” Purvis Short showcased his offensive versatility and scoring touch. His ability to score from anywhere on the court made him a constant threat to opposing defenses. Short’s knack for putting up points in bunches and carrying the offensive load for his team was evident throughout the season.

He led the Golden State Warriors in scoring on a nightly basis while chipping in 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, but he missed the All-Star Team due to the fact that his team was bad. The Warriors ended up finishing with a league-worst 22-60 record that year, and it was evident Short wasn’t going to steer that ship by mid-season which affected his All-Star vote tally.

5. Devin Booker – 27.8 PPG (2022-23)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Booker’s 2022-23 season solidified his status as one of the league’s premier scorers, averaging an impressive 27.8 points per game. As the focal point of the Phoenix Suns’ offense, Booker showcased his scoring prowess and playmaking ability on a nightly basis.

His smooth shooting stroke, combined with his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, made him a dynamic offensive threat. Despite his individual success, Booker’s omission from the All-Star Game came down to the fact that guards such as Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Donovan Mitchell, and Kyrie Irving were some of the very talented guards that year.

6. Dominique Wilkins – 27.4 PPG (1984-85)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Known for his high-flying dunks and explosive athleticism, Dominique Wilkins captivated audiences with his electrifying playing style. His ability to score in bunches and take over games made him a perennial All-Star candidate, as he made nine appearances over his Hall of Fame career.

However, despite his remarkable individual performance, Wilkins’ exclusion from the All-Star Game in the highly competitive Eastern Conference speaks volumes about the caliber of players during that era. Wilkins put up the sixth-highest scoring mark of his career but still did not crack the team in 1985, another reason why he is one of the most underrated stars ever.

7. Damian Lillard – 27.0 PPG (2016-17)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard’s 2016-17 season was characterized by his stellar scoring ability, averaging 27.0 points per game for the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard’s knack for hitting clutch shots and leading his team in crucial moments earned him widespread recognition as one of the league’s top guards.

His combination of deep range, driving ability, and playmaking skills made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Lillard added 4.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game during that year but the Trail Blazers’ record (41-41 at the end of the year) might have made the difference in the star point guard’s vote tally.

8. Michael Redd – 26.7 PPG (2006-07)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Redd’s 2006-07 season was a testament to his scoring prowess, as he averaged 26.7 points per game for the Milwaukee Bucks. Known for his smooth shooting stroke and ability to score from anywhere on the court, Redd established himself as one of the premier shooting guards in the league yet only had one All-Star and one All-NBA Team appearance in his career.

His offensive versatility and ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates made him a valuable asset for the Bucks. Redd’s 2006-07 season was impressive as he shot 46.5% from the field and 38.2% from three which was elite during that time, but the Bucks only won 28 games.

9. Devin Booker – 26.6 PPG (2018-19)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Booker had another season dropping an impressive scoring average, this time posting 26.6 points per game for the Phoenix Suns in 2018-19. Booker’s offensive arsenal, highlighted by his scoring ability and playmaking skills, made him a dynamic offensive threat.

However, he would need to wait one more season before making his first All-Star appearance by averaging 26.6 points per game in 2019-20. The Suns were such a bad team, finishing with a 19-63 record, that it didn’t make sense to place their highest scorer on the All-Star Team which was a fair assessment.

10. De’Aaron Fox – 26.6 PPG (2023-24)

highest-scoring seasons by nba players who did not make the all-star team

Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

De’Aaron Fox is the most recent inclusion on this list because he somehow did not make the cut despite posting 26.6 points and adding 5.4 assists per game for the 30-21 Sacramento Kings. Fox is not only an elite slasher but an improved knockdown shooter, posting 46.7% from the field and a career-high 37.9% from three.

Still, the list of guards ahead of him is impressive in their contributions including Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Edwards. While some might argue that Fox deserved it more than Booker, the results are in which means Fox won’t be making his second straight All-Star appearance.

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