Top 8 NBA Players without a Ring!
There are many great players in NBA history who never won a championship, yet they all made an impact and are revered as Hall of Famers today.
Some of these greats had amazing teams, yet their chances for victory were stacked against them. Others simply had better teams than the ones they played on.
Karl Malone
Karl Malone is a basketball a legend who played an integral role in the Utah Jazz’s success throughout their tenure. He earned two-time NBA MVP honors, 14-time All-Star selections, and is now inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Malone was renowned for his work ethic and loyalty during his tenure in the NBA. He served as a cornerstone upon which his team built, with Frank Layden – one of his front office personnel – noting that it was due to Malone’s strong work ethic that he achieved such success in the league.
He was an integral part of the Jazz’s playoff success, leading them to each year’s play-offs. Despite his successes, however, he never won a championship with them.
Malone led the Jazz to two NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, but lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls each time. He earned 11 All-NBA First Team selections as well as two Olympic gold medals. Additionally, Malone was twice named NBA MVP and second all-time leader in points scored.
John Stockton
John Stockton was an iconic figure in NBA history – an all-time great Point Guard and passer. He had the unique ability to set up plays, pass the ball accurately, and prioritize team basketball. Stockton will always be remembered for his brilliance on both ends of the court.
He was an incredible defensive player, ranking among the league’s best in terms of steals and assists for much of his career.
Over his 19-year career, he led the Utah Jazz to two Western Conference championships and two NBA Finals appearances. Additionally, he was an integral member of the 1992 Dream Team that won gold at the Barcelona Games.
He was a small but fierce point guard from Spokane, Washington who never quit on the court. Every Sunday morning in his hometown, he would play pickup basketball with friends from home during pickup basketball matches.
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing was born in Kingston, Jamaica on August 5, 1962 into a financially precarious family. His mother Dorothy immigrated to the United States in 1971 so her children could lead a better life.
Patrick Ewing was an outstanding young cricket and soccer player, but ultimately chose to focus on basketball. He learned the sport from John Fountain, his mentor, as well as by engaging with his neighbors.
Patrick Ewing’s talent and athleticism earned him 11 All-Star selections and an Olympic gold medal. Additionally, he won several NBA awards before being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
His legacy is one that his teammates hold dear. As captain of the Knicks, he had an uncanny ability to motivate and unite them.
His career was cut short by injuries, yet he still managed to reach the Eastern Conference finals twice during his seven seasons with the Knicks. Unfortunately, he never won an NBA championship.
Lenny Wilkens
Lenny Wilkens is an iconic basketball player, being the only person to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame three times: as a player (1989), coach (1998) and member of the U.S. Men’s Olympic “Dream Team” (2010).
His accomplishments as a player are numerous: He earned nine All-Star selections, finished second in the NBA Most Valuable Player voting to Wilt Chamberlain and earned himself five spots on All-NBA First Teams. But perhaps most importantly, his legacy will be remembered for his coaching abilities, vast network of relationships and wisdom he imparted to thousands around the world through these relationships.
He also served as player-coach for two of the NBA’s expansion clubs – Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers – during their inaugural seasons. His work with the SuperSonics led them to their first winning season and ultimately resulted in them winning an NBA Championship in 1979.
Wilkens is renowned for his playing and coaching accomplishments, but he’s equally known for his tireless fundraising work. Through his foundation, he has raised tens of millions of dollars for charities with a special focus on children.
Steve Nash
Nash was an exceptional Canadian player in an NBA league which had few Canadians on its rosters. A 6-3 point guard born in South Africa and raised in Canada, Nash demonstrated exceptional athletic ability while excelling at both basketball and soccer before becoming an NBA star.
He was a two-time NBA MVP and cemented his legacy as an icon, ushering the league into an era of great playmaking. His inspiration for head coach Mike D’Antoni’s signature “Seven Seconds or Less” offence continues to shape today’s game.
He was a three-time winner of the Lionel Conacher Award and took home the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete in 2005. A highly regarded figure both on and off the court, he is widely considered one of NBA history’s greatest players. Additionally, he has received numerous accolades for his philanthropic work.
Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller is one of basketball’s greatest legends. He played 18 years for the National Basketball Association and earned himself a place in history by being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
He is an impressive athlete and widely regarded as the greatest shooter in the NBA. Furthermore, he was part of two gold-medal winning teams – 1996 Olympic men’s basketball team and 1994 FIBA World Championship.
His career-to-date, he has scored 25,279 points and sits 14th on the all-time scoring list. Additionally, he earned three selections to the All-NBA Third Team and received his only MVP votes twice – in 1998 and 2000.
He is renowned for his trash-talking and is commonly referred to as “Miller Time.” His nickname, the “Knick Killer,” stems from his legendary rivalry with the New York Knicks. A prominent member of Indianapolis society, Miller served as Festival Parade Grand Marshal at the 2005 Indianapolis 500.
Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins was widely known as “The Human Highlight Film.” His infectious sense of levity, intensity and killer instinct earned him widespread fame throughout his career.
After joining the Atlanta Hawks in 1982, he quickly rose to become one of their most prominent players. He led the team in scoring and earned six votes for selection to the All-Star Game over his 11 seasons with the club.
His famed baseline jumper earned him the title of Hawks’ all-time leading scorer in 1993, surpassing Pete Pettit on that mark. Additionally, in 1990-91 he became the first player in franchise history to average more than 9.0 rebounds per game.
He recorded a career-high 265 assists in 1990-91 and developed his three-point shot, which he would utilize more frequently in subsequent seasons.
Though many expected him to retire after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon midway through the 1991-92 season, Wilkins had an incredible comeback year. He finished the year averaging 27.7 points per game and scored his 20,000th point of career; moreover, despite this injury he was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley had an illustrious basketball career, earning 11 All-Star selections and winning the 1993 NBA MVP award. Playing for three different teams throughout his 16 seasons in the league, Charles Barkley is widely considered one of basketball’s greatest power forwards ever.
Born in Leeds, Alabama, Barkley attended Auburn University and earned the title of Southeastern Conference Player of the Year for 1984-1986. He was then selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft.
He was part of a veteran-laden squad with stars Julius Erving and Moses Malone, yet he struggled with weight issues during his rookie season. Despite this, he averaged 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game – earning him an honorable mention on the All-Rookie Team.
After being traded from the 76ers to Phoenix, Barkley led them to the 1993 NBA Finals where they lost in six games to Michael Jordan and Chicago. Despite this setback, Barkley became a household name and helped make the Suns an increasingly successful franchise. Additionally, he worked as a television sports analyst for TNT and CBS Sports.
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