NBA All-Star season is upon us. If you have not voted yet, you can do so through social media. All you have to do is type a player’s name along with #NBAVOTE. We continue our series on former Brooklyn Nets All-Stars with Derrick Coleman.
The first pick of the 1990 NBA Draft, Coleman underwhelmed for most of his career. The Syracuse product was expected to lead the Nets to glory in an era where big men were at the height of importance. While he failed to nab the then-New Jersey Nets an NBA championship, he did make the All-Star Game in 1994.
Although it was Coleman’s first All-Star game, fans remember it more for a lack of Michael Jordan. The G.O.A.T. had retired earlier in the season to play minor league baseball. Although that did not stop his former teammate Scottie Pippen from dominating the game, scoring 29 points to secure the game MVP award.
However, that is not the only noteworthy achievement. For the first time in franchise history, two Nets made the All-Star game in the same year. Coleman played alongside Kenny Anderson, who also made his first All-Star game. Both actually started together. The Nets would not have two players make the team in the same year again until the 2004 All-Star game.
Derrick Coleman did not do much in the game itself. While he started alongside future Hall-of-Fame member Shaquille O’Neal, the duo did not do much damage as Pippen took over. In fact, Anderson outscored and outrebounded Coleman, despite playing two fewer minutes.
Next: A look back at Vince Carter's All-Star games
All in all, it was a pretty disappointing showing for Coleman. He finished with two points, three boards and went 1-for-6 from the field in 18 minutes. It was especially disappointing considering he was in the middle of his best season ever. However, he did lead the Nets to the playoffs and averaged 24.5 points and 14.3 rebounds per game in the first round of the postseason.