QUIZ: Can You Name These ’90s NBA Stars?
For many fans, the 1990s were the absolute peak of NBA nostalgia. The era was dominated by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, of course, but it was also chock full of other hall of fame talent, from Charles Barkley to Patrick Ewing to the ascendance of players like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan.
We’re delving into some of the era’s other stars — players who were strong performers for their team, but many of whom lacked the star power of Jordan or Barkley. Challenge yourself and see if you can name these ’90s NBA stars. Every one of them made it to at least one all-star game during the decade.
He glided into the Hall of Fame
A. Otis Thorpe
B. Clyde Drexler
C. Hakeem Olajuwon
D. Jerome Kersey
Answer: Clyde Drexler
We’ll start out with a fairly easy one here — Clyde “The Glide” Drexler — who starred for the Blazers and Rockets throughout the ’90s. He was also a member of the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team.”
He’s one of the best to ever play for the Sonics
A. Gary Payton
B. Sam Perkins
C. Shawn Kemp
D. Nate McMillan
Answer: Shawn Kemp
The Seattle Supersonics were one of the best teams in the ’90s to not win a championship, and the Rain Man — Shawn Kemp — was one of their centerpieces. He made six consecutive all-star appearances in the ’90s.
He was one of the most dependable guards of the ’90s
A. Derek Fisher
B. Robert Horrywik
C. Rick Fox
D. Nick Van Exel
Answer: Nick Van Exel
While he left the Lakers just before the ascendance of Shaq and Kobe — and their accompanying dynasty — Nick Van Exel served as a capable point guard for the Lakers between 1993 and 1998.
He’s one of the most hated collegiate players of all time
A. Christian Laettner
B. Tom Gugliotta
C. Luc Longley
D. Craig Ehlo
Answer: Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner was a high-profile, highly-hated star for the Duke Blue Devils before he was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves. A capable scorer, Laettner made it to the ’97 All-Star Game as a member of the Atlanta Hawks.
He had serious beef with his coach
A. Avery Johnson
B. Tim Hardaway
C. Latrell Sprewell
D. Chris Webberwi
Answer: Latrell Sprewell
Latrell Sprewell overcame controversy early in his career after attacking Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo. He went on to have a steady career with the Warriors, Knicks, and later the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He was a mainstay for the ’90s Bullets
A. Juwan Howard
B. Rod Strickland
C. Mitch Richmond
D. Ben Wallace
Answer: Juwan Howard
Fans of the Washington Bullets (later the Washington Wizards) didn’t have much to cheer about during the decade, but Juwan Howard was one of the team’s few bright spots. A 1996 all-star, he went on to win two championships in the twilight of his career.
He was a mountain of a man
A. Bryant Stith
B. Mookie Blaylock
C. Jalen Rose
D. Dikembe Mutombo
Answer: Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo, also known as “Mount Mutombo” — who was also known for his finger-wagging after blocking a shot — was one of the best defenders of his generation. He split the ’90s between the Nuggets and the Hawks.
He brought the thunder
A. Steve Kerr
B. Dan Majerle
C. Danny Ainge
D. Jeff Hornacek
Answer: Dan Majerle
“Thunder Dan” Majerle was a crucial player for the Phoenix Suns during their early ’90s run to the NBA Finals. Along with teammate Charles Barkley, Majerle made it to several all-star teams during the decade.
He isn’t your grandma’s Grandmama
A. Dell Curry
B. Muggsy Bogues
C. Larry Johnson
D. Alonzo Mourning
Answer: Larry Johnson
It’s strange that Larry Johnson, a two-time all-star, is best remembered for playing a character called “Grandmama” in a sneaker commercial — but the ’90s were a different time. Johnson was a star for the early ’90s Hornets.
He won three championships with the Bulls
A. Horace Grant
B. B.J. Armstrong
C. Bill Cartwright
D. Scott Williams
Answer: Horace Grant
He’s less recognizable without his signature goggles, but Horace Grant was a mainstay of the early ’90s Bulls. Following his threepeat with Chicago, he teamed up with Shaq, Penny and the Orlando Magic to make several deep playoff runs.
He battled with and against Jordan
A. Ron Harper
B. B.J. Armstrong
C. Dell Curry
D. David Wesley
Answer: B.J. Armstrong
Anyone who’s watched The Last Dance probably remembers point guard B.J. Armstrong, who teamed up with Michael Jordan early in the decade and then battled him after joining the Charlotte Hornets. Armstrong won three rings, and one all-star nod, during his playing career.
He came into his own after coming to Sacramento
A. Spud Webb
B. Olden Polynice
C. Mitch Richmond
D. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Answer: Mitch Richmond
Mitch Richmond was taken with the fifth overall pick in the 1988 draft by Golden State, but it wasn’t until he joined the Sacramento Kings that he became a star. Between 1993 and 1998, he was an all-star every single year.
He won the last NBA championship of the decade
A. Malik Rose
B. David Robinson
C. Avery Johnson
D. Moses Malone
Answer: David Robinson
“The Admiral” David Robinson was an imposing center, spending his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs. During that time he saw the Spurs go from laughingstock to winning multiple NBA championships.
He played for the Cavs for ten years
A. Craig Ehlo
B. Danny Ferry
C. Steve Kerr
D. Mark Price
Answer: Mark Price
Mark Price split the decade between the Cavs, Bullets, Warriors, and Magic, but it was in Cleveland where he saw the most success. A four-time all-star, his Cavs would have gone deeper in the playoffs if not for Jordan’s Bulls.
He was part of Run TMC
A. Jud Buechler
B. Chris Mullin
C. Šarūnas Marčiulionis
D. Rony Seikaly
Answer: Chris Mullin
Chris Mullin turned heads early in his career with his selection to the ’92 Olympic Dream Team, but it was with the Warriors where he became the central part of the team’s fast-paced “Run TMC” offense.
He was a five-time all-star selection in the ’90s
A. Kevin Willis
B. Alonzo Mourning
C. Jamal Mashburn
D. Tim Hardaway
Answer: Tim Hardaway
From the University of Texas-El Paso to the NBA hardcourt, Tim Hardaway was a dependable point guard for the Warriors and Heat in the ’90s. He was a member of the All-NBA First Team in 1997.
He spent his entire career with the Pistons
A. Joe Dumars
B. Mark Aguirre
C. Grant Hill
D. Bill Laimbeer
Answer: Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars came to the Motor City after being drafted 18th overall by the Pistons in 1985, and stuck around until his retirement in 1999. Along the way, he helped the Pistons to two titles while getting six all-star nods.
He played for four teams during the ’90s
A. Rick Mahorn
B. Clarence Weatherspoon
C. Hersey Hawkins
D. Sam Perkins
Answer: Hersey Hawkins
Hersey Hawkins, known as “The Big Kiss,” was a hard-working shooting guard for the Sixers, Hornets, Sonics, and Bulls throughout the ’90s. While he only made it to one all-star team, he was a vital member of the Sonics’ late-’90s powerhouse.
This bad boy was a member of the Bad Boys
A. Dennis Rodman
B. John Salley
C. Isiah Thomas
D. Brad Sellers
Answer: Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman was a member of the Pistons for his first seven seasons, winning two titles with the “Bad Boys” Pistons in 1989 and 1990. Later, of course, he found even greater heights of stardom with the Spurs and Bulls.
He and his sister were elite basketball players
A. Reggie Miller
B. Sam Mitchell
C. Mark Jackson
D. Antonio Davis
Answer: Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was once primarily known as the younger brother of Cheryl Miller, one of the best women’s basketball players in history. Reggie made his mark, of course, with an exemplary hall of fame career spent entirely with the Indiana Pacers.
This masked man started out with the Showtime Lakers
A. Michael Cooper
B. Byron Scott
C. A.C. Green
D. James Worthy
Answer: A.C. Green
A.C. Green won his first two titles at the tail end of the Showtime Lakers dynasty, but he went on to have a respectable career with the Suns, Mavs, Lakers, and Heat.
He was part of the Sonics’ near-dynasty
A. Vin Baker
B. Chuck Person
C. Dale Ellis
D. Jerome Kersey
Answer: Vin Baker
The late ’90s Seattle Supersonics were stacked, but just weren’t able to match up to the Chicago Bulls. Center Vin Baker was a dominating front court presence for these Sonics teams, which also featured Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp.
He’s best remembered for his years in Detroit
A. Grant Hill
B. Oliver Miller
C. Jerry Stackhouse
D. Rick Mahorn
Answer: Grant Hill
Grant Hill spent the final 13 seasons of his career with other teams, but it’s his ’90s run with the Detroit Pistons that will be best remembered. During this time, he earned five of his seven total all-star game selections.
He and Shaq couldn’t conjure up a dynasty
A. Horace Grant
B. Anfernee Hardaway
C. Bo Outlaw
D. Nick Anderson
Answer: Anfernee Hardaway
Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal’s mid-’90s Magic teams seemed like they might be the NBA’s next great dynasty. Then Shaq went to the Lakers, Penny got hurt, and the dream fizzled out. During the decade, Hardaway earned four consecutive all-star game nods.
His promising career was cut short
A. Dee Brown
B. Robert Parish
C. Ed Pinckney
D. Reggie Lewis
Answer: Reggie Lewis
The late Reggie Lewis spent the entirety of his NBA career with the Boston Celtics. He was drafted in 1987, came into his own as an all-star in 1992, and died suddenly on the court in an off-season practice the following year.
He was as strong as a tree
A. Charles Oakley
B. Antonio Davis
C. Allan Houston
D. John Starks
Answer: Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley — known as Oak — was a tough, bruising power forward for multiple teams. He was a key member of Pat Riley’s Knicks squads of the mid-’90s, then teamed up with a young Vince Carter and the Raptors at the end of the decade.
This point guard was a steady presence with the Nets and Hawks
A. Reggie Theus
B. Derrick Coleman
C. Stacey Augmon
D. Mookie Blaylock
Answer: Mookie Blaylock
Mookie Blaylock is the answer to an unexpected trivia question (“What was Pearl Jam’s original name?”), but was also a dependable guard for the Nets and Hawks (and later the Warriors) throughout the ’90s.
He was one of the first Europeans to find NBA success
A. Detlef Schrempf
B. Rik Smits
C. Arvydas Sabonis
D. Vladimir Stepania
Answer: Detlef Schrempf
The modern-day NBA is full of international stars, but in the ’80s and ’90s, it was quite rare to see Europeans find success in the North American game. German big man Detlef Schrempf was named to three all-star games with the Sonics.
He split the decade between the Blazers and Suns
A. Kevin Johnson
B. Antonio McDyess
C. Aaron McKie
D. Clifford Robinson
Answer: Clifford Robinson
The late Clifford Robinson only made it to one all-star team in his career, but the big power forward was twice named to the All-Defensive Second Team. His 18-year career wrapped up in 2007.
