New Orleans Pelicans: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Jamal Mashburn was one of the most overwhelming small forwards in the NBA. Lingering knee issues caused his career’s early demise, but when he joined the Hornets, things looked like they were changing for the better.

Before his career came to an end, Mashburn found his magic, at least for one season. He played in all 82 games, starting in all but one during his first season with the relocated franchise. He averaged 21.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, a career-high 5.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game, while earning the one and only NBA All-Star Game appearance of his career that year.

The 12-year NBA veteran scored a career-high 50 points during the 1994-95 NBA season while he was with the Dallas Mavericks. He touched that same total on Feb. 21, 2003 in a gritty 125-123 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Mashburn put up a career-high two triple-doubles and another 40-point against the Orlando Magic on March 26, 2003. His scoring outburst went all the way into postseason play, where he averaged 24.8 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game on 40 percent shooting from 3-point land. He also made Third-Team All-NBA, the first selection of his career.

It looked like he was back to his old self once again, and then he wasn’t. He appeared in only 19 games the following season, missing time due to right knee irritation. He developed patella femoral irritation in his knee through wear-and-tear in the league.

Mashburn was eventually traded to the Philadelphia 76ers while sitting out the 2004-05 NBA season, where he ended up retiring.