5 NBA players considered as the biggest one-season wonders across the league’s history

The NBA is the pinnacle of professional basketball around the world, hosting the best players from around the globe. It has produced countless legendary players throughout history.

As many legends such as Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal would probably agree, NBA players’ careers are like marathons. Dedication and consistency are the keys to achieving greatness. However, the harsh reality is that, for every NBA player who is able to succeed and fulfill their potential, there would always be some who are unable to kickstart theirs. Some others inexplicably get stuck in the middle, suddenly reaching brilliant heights, only to fall off ever as quickly.

One season wonder is normality in the NBA, with the league having witnessed a plethora of rising stars unable to maintain their impact in the game due to various reasons like injuries, indiscipline, a change in system, team, or even sheer bad luck. There have been draft picks, expensive buys, rookies and talents who have struggled under the spotlight, failing to live up to expectations and constant pressure to be a pro, after busting on to the scene.

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Ranking 5 of the biggest one-season wonders in NBA history

So without further ado, here are five NBA players notorious for never being able to live up to the initial hype.

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#1 Dana Barros

Rod Strickland #1 of the Washington Wizards with the ball as Dana Barros #11 of the Boston Celtics guards him during the game at the MCI Center on April 18, 1999 in Washington, D.C. The Celtics defested the Wizards 101-98.

Dana Barros is the first name on our list of one-season wonders, experiencing his solitary peak season in the 1994-1995 NBA season. Having been traded from the Seattle Supersonics to Philadelphia 76ers, Barros hit his peak in his second season with the 76ers, headlining the offense along with Clarence Witherspoon. He averaged a career-high 20.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game that season, boasting a 46.4% shooting record from three-point range and averaging 40.5 minutes per game.

He finished the season as an All-Star for the first and only time in his career, winning the 1995 NBA’s most improved player of the year as a result of his performance. His career went sideways after that, as he finished the season in the free agency pool and signed for his hometown Bolton Celtics on a lucrative six-year deal worth $20 million. However, he ended up struggling for minutes in an overloaded team containing fellow point guards Dee Brown, David Wesley and Sherman Douglas.

Unable to replicate the previous heights attained in Philadelphia 76ers. Barros fell out of his game after that season, failing to average more than 13 points per game in a season post that point.

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#2 Aaron Brooks

Aaron Brooks reacts to a call.

Another talented individual who failed to live up to the hype is Aaron Brooks. Having been drafted and signed by the Houston Rockets, Brooks was tipped to be one of the few players headed for greatness, and after suffering a couple of stuttering seasons, he hit his peak in the 2009-10 season. Lighting up the NBA in his third season, he ended up starting 82 games, averaging 19.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game for the Rockets, also attempting the most three-point shots in the league.

He ended up with the 2010 NBA’s Most Improved Player award but failed to hit the same high levels after suffering from ankle injuries in subsequent seasons. He left the NBA for China in 2012, only to return to the league next season.

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#3 Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans #12 of the Indiana Pacers drives against Garrett Temple and Montrezl Harrell of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center on March 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

Tyreke Evans remains a popular anomaly amongst NBA lovers, being the player most would have tipped for success with his breakout season being as standout as they come. He made it into the NBA as the 4th overall draft pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2009 draft, instantly shooting to stardom in his first season.

He set records galore that season, being only the 4th ever rookie to achieve 20 points (20.3), 5 rebounds (5.3), and 5 assists (5.8) in his debut season after legends Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year award that season, beating future NBA star Steph Curry to the prize.

However, he was unable to build on his brilliant season, as his career and performances were disrupted by injuries. He went on to eventually play for four different teams and ended his career with the Indiana Pacers in 2019.

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#4 Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin #7 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day at HSS Training Center on September 25, 2017 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York.

Jeremy Lin is the only player with a championship ring to make it to this list, as his team's success never translated to his individual play. Probably the most popular NBA one-season wonder on this list. Lin enjoyed a season like no other in 2011-12, bursting into the scene in 2010 to major fanfare that was later known as “Linsanity”.

He played an impressive game in a breakout victory against the Brooklyn Nets in the 2011-12 season, where he netted 25 points. Lin then embarked on a seven-game Mafioso individual performance for the New York Knicks. His staggering form led the Knicks team to a seven-game winning streak, during which he averaged 24.4 points and 9.1 assists. This spell also saw him come out on top in an individual duel against late NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a game with the L.A. Lakers. He netted an impressive 38 points in that game against Bryant 34.

He later bagged the NBA Eastern Conference player of the week, a highlight of the highest point of his career. During which he averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 assists per game in 26 games for the Knicks. However, that was to be it. He was picked up by the Houston Rockets at the end of the season via free agency and failed to reach anything resembling his best form in his subsequent teams.

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#5. Larry Sanders

Larry Sanders #8 of the Milwaukee Bucks with the one handed jam on a fast break against the Miami Heat during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bradley Center on APRIL 25, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Larry Sanders completes this list of NBA one-season wonders. The former Milwaukee Bucks center failed to leave up to the expectations of the Bucks during his troublesome stint as a player in the franchise and the league in general. He enjoyed the peak of his game in the 2012-13 NBA season. He shone for a not-so-good Bucks team that rode the wave of his brilliance to that season’s championship playoffs.

Enjoying a bench role in his first two seasons at the Bucks, Sanders quickly rose to the limelight, providing defensive inspiration for the Bucks after breaking into the team. He ended up playing over 1900 minutes for the Bucks that season - the most he has ever played in a season. He recorded 9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while placing second in the NBA for blocks per game (2.8).

His superb form made him a Bucks fan favorite, and he was handed a $48 million four-year extension contract. However, injuries stalled his progress as his career derailed sharply next season. He was then suspended multiple times for using marijuana, and ended up playing a meager 55 games in his next four years as a player. He then retired from the NBA citing anxiety and depression as reasons.