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50 Greatest NBA Players Without A Championship (Updated Through 2015-16)

By Phil Watson

May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots over Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots over Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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INGLEWOOD, CA - 1988: Walter Davis #6 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA – 1988: Walter Davis #6 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images) /

36. Walter Davis

Phoenix Suns 1977-88; Denver Nuggets 1988-91, 1991-92; Portland Trail Blazers 1991

The Phoenix Suns selected North Carolina star Walter Davis with the fifth overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft and The Greyhound turned into one of the league’s high-impact players.

In 11 seasons in Phoenix, Davis was the Rookie of the Year in 1977-78, a six-time All-Star and was twice an All-NBA honoree. He finished fifth in the MVP voting as a rookie in 1977-78.

The Suns reached the conference finals in 1979 and 1984, but Davis’ career began to drift as he had problems with recreational drug use.

In July 1988, he signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets, who were unable to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

Davis was part of a three-team trade in January 1991, dealt with a 1992 second-round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers, with Denver getting Greg Anderson and a 1992 first-round pick from the New Jersey Nets.

Portland went to the conference finals in 1991, but the aging Davis was waived in October 1991. He re-signed with the Nuggets for one more season, retiring after the 1991-92 season.

In retirement, Davis has worked as a broadcaster and was a scout for the Washington Wizards for a short period.

The final tally on Davis’ playoff career:

NBA Finals: 0-0
Conference Finals: 0-3
Conference Semifinals: 3-3
First Round: 5-4

Next: 35. Rebounding Whiz Got Stuck In Jersey