I picked a year in the early '80s (1983) at random and worked backwards a few year. This time period qualifies as "old," since it ranges from 37 to 40 years ago. And back then, there were players on not so good teams on there every season. Both voted in and on the bench.

So, let's start in the 1982-83 season, where the good players on bad teams came from the East. Isiah started his second year in the league, when the Pistons weren't so good; even at the time of the All-Star game they were under .500, and they'd finish 37-45. In fact, the Pistons had two All-Stars on that East team, since Laimbeer was on the bench. Plus, Reggie Theus was selected from a pretty bad Bulls team. The Bulls would finish the season that year with 28 wins. Booker's Suns are likely going to finish with more wins this season.

Then, the 1982. Isiah starts in his rookie year, when the Pistons are also a sub 0.500 team. And, again, another Pistons player is on the bench: This time its Kelly Tripucka. Artis Gilmore is a starter from a 38-54 Bulls team. And Michael Richardson from a bad Knicks team. It's not just the East this time either; Adrian Dantley is a starter from an awful Jazz team; Booker's Suns already a just a few wins shy from the Jazz's win total that season, and Trae Young's Hawks will probably catch them as well.

In 1981, Eddie Johnson starts from an awful Hawks team, with Mike Mitchell being selected from the Cavs, who finish the season with 28 wins. By the way, Mitchell replaced Dan Roundfield, who was also on that Hawks team. Dantley again starts out West for a equally bad 28 win Jazz squad, Paul Westphal starts and Jack Sikma is selected from a Seattle team that would finish with 34 wins

Finally, in 1980, Dantley in the West for an awful Jazz team. As does World B. Free for a not-so-hot Clippers team. And in the East, Richardson and Bill Carwright come off the bench from a bad Knicks team, as does Elvin Hayes from the Bullets.

Yes, this is a four-season window. But it's not like the league was wack during the time period. Magic, Kareem, Bird, Dr. J, Moses Malone, etc. were all in the midst of their careers. And players from pretty bad teams were regularly making the All-Star Game. Starting. And coming off the bench.