The National Basketball Association has had some of the greatest players in its storied history, however, not all of them have been fortunate enough to win a championship. While the debate on who had the best career without winning one rages on, here is an attempt to rank the best players who failed to win an NBA championship before retiring.
Taking into consideration their accomplishments, overall impact, and lasting legacy, this list attempts to rank the best players who never won an NBA championship.
Honorable Mentions
Before we get to the best of the best, we will take a look at some of the players who never won a championship but definitely deserve to be remembered for their playstyle and abilities.Here are six talented players, who never won a ring:
Chris Mullin
Chris Mullin is one of the most respected players in the NBA and deserves an honorable mention on this list of the best NBA players to never win a championship. He was a five-time All-Star, and during his 14-year career, he averaged 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, with a field goal percentage of 48.2%. He won two Olympic gold medals and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. Mullin was also named to the All-NBA Team three times, and was a five-time All-Star. He was known as a clutch shooter and a leader, and was respected by his peers.
In addition to his impressive statistics, Mullin was also known for his intensity on the court. He made up for his lack of athleticism with his never-ending hustle and passion for the game. He was a consistent player, and had a successful playoff career, with an average of 20.1 points per game in the postseason. He was the leader of the Golden State Warriors teams that made it to the NBA Finals in 1989 and 1991, and was one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Mullin was also known for his international success. He won two Olympic gold medals and was part of the original Dream Team in 1992. He was also part of the 1996 team that won the bronze medal. He was also a part of the 1998 FIBA World Championship team and was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Mullin’s international success and contributions to the game make him one of the best players to never win an NBA championship.
Mullin was not only respected by his peers, but he was also respected by fans and media. He was an all-time fan favorite. His peers in the NBA respected him greatly. He was one of the league’s most accomplished players, and his career achievements and on-court abilities make him a deserving honorable mention on this list.
Mullin’s career achievements and intensity made him one of the most respected players of his time and a deserving honorable mention on this list.
Shawn Kemp
Shawn Kemp was a six-time All-Star and one of the most electrifying players of the 1990s. During his 14-year career, he averaged 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, with a field goal percentage of 49.6%. He was known as “the reign man” and played for the Seattle SuperSonics for eight seasons. His career was riddled with problems stemming from his weight, as well as cocaine and alcohol abuse.
Despite his off-court issues, Kemp was still a dynamic player who was able to make an impact on the court. He was an explosive dunker and a tenacious defender. He was an integral part of the Seattle SuperSonics teams of the mid-90s, and helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 1996. Kemp was also a part of the 1992 Dream Team, and his impressive numbers and highlight reel dunks make him one of the most exciting players of all time.
Kemp was also a five-time All-Star and two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion. He was also named to the All-NBA team three times, and was in the top ten in scoring and rebounding three times in his career. His impressive numbers and highlight reel dunks make him one of the most exciting players of all time.
Tim Hardaway
Tim Hardaway was a professional basketball player who played for several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and Indiana Pacers. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and won the league MVP award in 1989-90. He was also a four-time All-NBA selection and a five-time All-Star. During his 14-year career, he averaged 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game with a field goal percentage of 43.1%.
Hardaway was an offensive threat who could score inside and outside, set up his teammates, and was a career 17.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game player. He was known for his crossover dribble, which he famously used against Michael Jordan in the 1997 NBA Finals. He was also a reliable three-point shooter, with a career three-point percentage of 37.3%. Hardaway was one of the best point guards of his era and is in elite company with the likes of Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Reggie Miller, and Charles Barkley.
Hardaway was also known for his signature move, the “UTEP Two-Step”. This move was a combination of a crossover dribble and a step-back jump shot, and it was a move that Hardaway made famous during his time with the Golden State Warriors. His career highlights include being named to the NBA All-Rookie Team and having a career-high of 23.4 points per game in the 1991-92 season.
Hardaway was an offensive threat who could score inside and outside, and set up his teammates, and is a deserving honorable mention on this list of the best NBA players to never win a championship.
Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley was one of the most successful players of his era, with a career that spanned 19 seasons in the NBA. He played mostly at the power forward position, and is one of the few players who competed at the same time as Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Reggie Miller, and Charles Barkley. Oakley was known for his tenacious defense and rebounding, and his career averages of 9.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game were impressive in their own right.
Oakley was a two-time All-NBA selection, both on the defensive end, and was a top ten rebounder five times in his career. He also won an NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1998, and was a member of the 1992 United States Olympic Dream Team. His career highlights include being named to the NBA All-Rookie Team and spending time with the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and the Washington Wizards.
Oakley was also known for his leadership qualities, and was a mentor to the younger players on the Toronto Raptors when he signed with them. He was often seen as the heart and soul of the defense, and was a key component in the resurgence of the New York Knicks in the late 1990s. Oakley was an important piece to many teams throughout his career, and his intensity and hard work made him a fan favorite.
Oakley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004 and his number 34 was retired by the Bulls in 2005. He was one of the most successful players of his era and is a deserving honorable mention on this list of the best NBA players to never win a championship.
Chris Webber
Chris Webber was one of the most talented players of the 1990s, but he never won an NBA championship. He was a five-time NBA All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year, and was named to the All-NBA team five times. During his 15-year career, he averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, with a field goal percentage of 49.8%.
Webber has achieved an impressive feat that few can match. He joins Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, and Kevin Garnett as the only players to have averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds throughout their playing careers. Webber was a versatile player who could handle the ball, score from the post, and find the open man in the half court, making him a difficult opponent to defend.
Webber was a part of the ’90s generation of NBA stars, and his career achievements and on-court abilities make him one of the best players to never win a championship. Although he was unable to win an NBA title, Webber’s contributions to the game of basketball and his individual success make him a worthy honorable mention on this list.
Rolando Blackman
Rolando Blackman was a Panamanian-American former professional basketball player who had a successful career in the NBA. He was named to four NBA All-Star Teams and retired with career totals of 17,623 points, 3,278 rebounds, and 2,981 assists. Blackman spent 11 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, and during that time, he averaged 20.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. He was a consistent scorer who could knock down tough shots, but he was also a capable playmaker. After the ABA/NBA merger in 1976, Blackman joined the Chicago Bulls, where he spent two seasons before returning to the Mavericks.
Blackman was a reliable player who had a knack for making clutch shots. He was a part of the Mavericks team that made the Western Conference Finals in 1988, and he was also a consistent contributor throughout his career. Although Blackman didn’t win an NBA title, he was still a star in his own right.
Blackman’s impressive career was not enough to get him into the top 10 players to never win a championship. He was always a reliable player for his team, but he wasn’t quite as accomplished as some of his peers, such as George Gervin, Alex English, Pete Maravich, Reggie Miller, and Dominique Wilkins. Despite that, Blackman was still one of the best players to never win a championship and deserves an honorable mention on this list.
Top 10
George Gervin was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history and a four-time All-Star. He spent most of his career with the San Antonio Spurs and was a three-time All-NBA selection and the 1980 MVP. He was also the first NBA player to score 2,000 points in eight consecutive seasons. Despite his success, Gervin’s Spurs never won a championship.
Alex English, Pete Maravich, Reggie Miller, and Dominique Wilkins are the other four players featured in this section who never won an NBA championship. English was a 15-year NBA veteran who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. Maravich was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, and his rookie season was no exception. Miller was one of the greatest NBA players to never win a championship, earning three All-NBA selections and being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. Wilkins is one of the greatest players to never win an NBA championship and was a two-time gold medalist and two-time MVP.
These five players are some of the best to never win a championship, and their legacy will live on for years to come.
George Gervin
George Gervin was one of the best NBA players to never win a championship. He was a four-time NBA scoring champion, 12-time All-Star, and the 1980 MVP. Gervin spent most of his career with the San Antonio Spurs, who were only able to win five division titles during his tenure, but had little playoff success.
He was a three-time All-NBA selection, making him one of the most accomplished players to never win an NBA championship. Gervin was the first NBA player to score 2,000 points in eight consecutive seasons and is ranked as the 71st greatest player in NBA history by The Athletic in 2021.
His impressive career average of 26.2 points per game and his success in the playoffs make him one of the best players to never win a championship.
Alex English
Alex English was a 15-year NBA veteran who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. After spending much of the first half of his career with the Indiana Pacers, English joined the Denver Nuggets in 1980 and would spend the next eight seasons there. He was a five-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA selection with the Nuggets, and his most impressive season was in 1982-83 when he led the league in scoring with 28.4 points per game.
English then moved to the Dallas Mavericks for his final season in 1991, where he averaged 20.3 points per game and retired with career averages of 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
At 6’7”, English was one of the most talented and versatile scoring small forwards of the 1980s and 1990s. He was a great shooter and a crafty scorer who could score from anywhere on the court. He was also a great rebounder and passer for his size, and his ability to score in a variety of ways made him a dangerous offensive player.
English’s career also included two All-Star Game appearances, a selection to the All-NBA Team, and being named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. English’s career averages of 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game make him one of the best NBA players to never win a championship.
Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, and his rookie season was no exception. Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 1970, Maravich dazzled with his ability to score from anywhere on the court. He averaged 23 points per game in his rookie season and quickly became one of the most exciting players in the league. Maravich spent five seasons with the Hawks before being traded to the New Orleans Jazz, where he spent the remaining four years of his career. His career averages of 24.2 points and 5.4 assists per game speak volumes of his ability to score and create for his teammates.
Maravich was an 11-time All-Star, NBA All-Rookie Team, and three-time All-NBA selection. He was also a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, making him one of the most accomplished players in NBA history.
Despite his impressive career, Pete Maravich was never able to win an NBA championship. He was often hampered by injuries and the lack of talent around him, leaving him unable to compete for a championship.
Maravich’s legacy as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history will live on forever, but he will always be remembered as one of the best players to never win an NBA championship.
Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was one of the greatest NBA players to never win a championship, earning three All-NBA selections and being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. He spent his entire 18-year NBA career with the Indiana Pacers, where he reached the conference finals six times and lost to the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan all six times.
Despite his lack of success in the playoffs, Miller was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, winning five All-Star selections and becoming one of the most feared shooters in the league. He was even able to lead the Pacers past the New York Knicks and John Stockton in the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals, only to fall to the Los Angeles Lakers and their star duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Miller’s best individual season came in 1995-96, when he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was a great shooter, but he was also a complete player who could do it all on the court and was a Hall of Famer. Miller’s greatest contribution to the game of basketball was his ability to shoot the ball and take over games with his scoring.
He will always be remembered as one of the best NBA players to never win a championship and his legacy will live on for years to come.
Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins is one of the greatest players to never win an NBA championship. He was a nine-time All-Star, a two-time gold medalist, and a two-time MVP. He was also the 1985 scoring champion and a five-time All-NBA selection. Wilkins is best known for his memorable performances in the 1988 All-Star game against Michael Jordan. He scored a then-record 47 points, which Jordan later broke in the 1993 All-Star game.
Despite Wilkins’ immense talent, he never won an NBA championship. He spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Hawks and made the playoffs in 12 of his 15 years in the league. His most successful season came in the 1986-87 season when he led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to be defeated by the Detroit Pistons and their “bad boys” team.
Wilkins’ career achievements and his memorable performances in the 1988 All-Star game against Michael Jordan make him one of the most accomplished players to never win a championship. He was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history and his impressive resume earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Wilkins is one of the best players to never win a championship, and his legacy will live on in NBA history.
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing was one of the greatest players to never win an NBA championship, and his career is a testament to the greatness of players who never won a championship. The center from the University of Georgetown was taken first overall by the New York Knicks in the 1985 NBA Draft, and went on to play 15 seasons in the NBA. During that time, he played in 11 All-Star games, was selected to the All-NBA Team seven times, and was even named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986.
In his time with the Knicks, Ewing faced some of the toughest competition in the Eastern Conference of his era, such as the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls. Despite his efforts, the Knicks only managed to reach the NBA Finals twice during Ewing’s career, and they ultimately lost both times. In 1994, they lost to the Houston Rockets, and in 1999 they lost to the Chicago Bulls.
Ewing has since been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and is remembered among Knicks fans as one of the greatest players ever to wear a Knicks jersey. He had an impressive ability to shoot from outside the basket. This was what made him so special.
Though his career ended without a championship title, Patrick Ewing’s legacy among New York Knicks fans is one of adoration for his tenacity and great confidence, and his career is a reminder of the greatness of players who never won a championship.
John Stockton
John Stockton was a point guard who played his entire career with the Utah Jazz, where he formed a legendary partnership with power forward Karl Malone. During Stockton’s tenure with the Jazz, he not only led the team to the playoffs in all 19 of his seasons, but he also set the NBA records for most career assists and steals in the league’s history. These records still stand to this day, and his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammate Karl Malone earned him the title of one of the greatest point guards of all time.
In addition to his impressive accomplishments with the Jazz, Stockton also won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 1992 and 1996. He was one of the most consistent players in the NBA during his time, rarely missing a game in his fourth season and beyond. This consistency was a major contributing factor to the success of the Utah Jazz, and Stockton’s efforts were rewarded with 11 All-Star selections and nine All-NBA selections.
John Stockton was a master of the pick-and-roll, and his career achievements and Olympic medals make him one of the greatest NBA players to never win a championship. His stats and awards alone speak volumes about the kind of player he was, and his legacy will remain even without an NBA championship title.
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley is one of the NBA’s Top 50 players of all time and is remembered for his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets. During his Hall of Fame career, Barkley won the MVP award in the 1992-93 season and was a six-time All-Star. He also won the All-Star MVP award in 1991 and was selected to 11 All-NBA teams.
Barkley’s career accomplishments, including his appearance in the 1993 NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns, make him one of the greatest players to never win a championship. In the 1993 NBA Finals, the heavily favored Chicago Bulls were able to beat the Phoenix Suns in six games. Barkley put up a valiant effort, averaging 27.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in the series, but it was not enough to bring a title to Phoenix.
Karl Malone
Karl Malone is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA, ranking second all-time in points scored. He was the perfect point guard to John Stockton’s all-time leading assists record and they formed one of the most successful duos in NBA history while playing for the Utah Jazz. During his career, Malone won two MVP awards, was selected to 14 All-Star teams, and was named to 11 All-NBA teams. He also won two Olympic gold medals and is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Despite his impressive career accomplishments, Karl Malone was unable to win a championship before retiring. He made it to the NBA Finals twice, in 1997 and 1998, both times with the Utah Jazz against the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. Despite the Jazz having the home court advantage, they lost both series in six games, unable to best the Bulls.
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is one of the most decorated players in NBA history, having been named an All-Star 10 times and an All-NBA selection 11 times. He has also been named the league MVP in 2017, won the scoring title in 2015, and was the runner-up for the award in 2016. He was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder team that made it to the NBA Finals in 2012, where they were heavily favored to win against the Miami Heat and LeBron James. However, the Thunder lost in five games.
Westbrook has also been a member of the Houston Rockets since 2019, where he has formed a formidable duo with James Harden. The two were able to lead the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals in 2020, but ultimately lost to the eventual champion, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite all of his individual accolades, Russell Westbrook has yet to win an NBA championship.
Summary
The ranking of the top 10 greatest NBA players to never win a championship has been completed. Standing out among them, Dikembe Mutombo, Dan Issel, Bob Lanier, Dave Bing, Connie Hawkins, Artis Gilmore, Bernard King, Walt Bellamy, Nate Thurmond, and George Gervin all displayed excellence in their respective roles, making them deservedly placed on the list of best players never to win an NBA championship. Additionally, honorable mentions including Chris Mullin, Shawn Kemp, Tim Hardaway, Charles Oakley, Chris Webber, and Rolando Blackman were also deserving of recognition for their own individual accomplishments.
Finally, the ‘Final 5’ which makes this list complete was composed of basketball greats such as Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Russell Westbrook, who have established themselves as some of the most outstanding players in the history of the sport in spite of never having won an NBA championship.
While many of these players have gone on to have successful careers in broadcasting, coaching, and other forms of media, they are all revered as some of the greatest NBA players ever to never have won a championship. Every player listed in this article is a testament to their exceptional ability, strength of will, and determination to continue striving for success despite the fact that they were unable to secure a title.
While their accolades stretch far due to their individual merits, it goes without saying that none of these players can be found among the list of NBA champions. Nevertheless, each of them earned a permanent place in the annals of basketball history as some of the greatest players to never lift a Larry O’Brien trophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best NBA player not to win a championship?
Elgin Baylor is arguably the best NBA player to not win a championship. With eleven All-Star game appearances and eight trips to the NBA Finals, he has established himself as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Despite his incredible skill and success, his career ended without a championship ring. Elgin Baylor’s legacy lives on in the Hall of Fame, cementing his place as an elite NBA player who was never able to seize the title.
Who has never won an NBA championship?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have never won an NBA championship, despite making the playoffs nine times since their founding in 1989-90. They have yet to even make an appearance in the NBA Finals.
What NBA Hall of Famers never won a championship?
Unfortunately, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Charles Barkley never managed to grab an NBA championship over the course of their illustrious careers. Although they excelled at the highest level, their individual talent couldn’t lift them and their teams to ultimate success.
Who are the best NBA players without a ring?
Great NBA players without a ring include Elgin Baylor, Chris Paul, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, James Harden, Steve Nash and Reggie Miller. Each of these basketball stars had immense success in the regular season, yet were not able to make it over the hump and win an NBA Finals Championship.
