Rod Strickland

Take the opportunity to study Rod Strickland’s career journey, and it won’t be long before one settles on his legacy as one of NBA history’s greatest players to never make an All-Star Game. Through a one-of-a-kind-type game, Strickland made certain that the Golden State Warriors understood that excellence was still being achieved in the month of February, though. Rare in his blend of lightning-quick handles with the at-the-rim creativity to follow, the former Portland Trail Blazers star puts his craftiness to a duel against Keith Jennings, ultimately working a smooth spin move into the paint before stretching out for an acrobatic, double-clutched finish over Donyell Marshall’s contest. In what would become the greatest statistical game of his revered 17-year tenure, the gifted floor general used his unpredictable style to overwhelm the Warriors with a 35-point (on 12-of-20 shooting), eight-rebound, 14-assist performance, alongside one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers. The win on February 22, 1995 added to the Blazers’ victory stack, ultimately influencing a 44-win season and a postseason berth.

Top Shot Debut