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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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LANDOVER, MD - MARCH 25: Derrick Coleman #44 of the New Jersey Nets on the bench during a basketball game against the Washington Bullets at the Capitol Centre on March 25 1991 in Landover , Maryland. The Bullets won 113-106. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – MARCH 25: Derrick Coleman #44 of the New Jersey Nets on the bench during a basketball game against the Washington Bullets at the Capitol Centre on March 25 1991 in Landover , Maryland. The Bullets won 113-106. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention: The Next 25

The 10,000-point club is littered with players who never managed to find their way to the ring.

Here are the 25 best that didn’t make the cut.

75. Alvan Adams (Phoenix Suns 1975-88): An All-Star and Rookie of the Year in 1975-76, the Suns reached the Finals for the only time in his career that season as well. Also on two Phoenix teams that lost in the conference finals—1979 and 1984.

74. Terry Porter (Portland Trail Blazers 1985-95, Minnesota Timberwolves 1995-98, Miami Heat 1998-99, San Antonio Spurs 1999-2002): A two-time All-Star who played on a pair of Portland teams that lost in the NBA Finals (1990 and 1992). Also member of Spurs conference finals squad in 2001.

73. Fat Lever (Portland Trail Blazers 1982-84, Denver Nuggets 1984-90, Dallas Mavericks 1991-92, 1993-94): The stat sheet-stuffing Lever was a two-time All-Star in Denver, as well as an All-NBA pick in 1986-87 and an All-Defensive pick in 1987-88. Reached the second round twice in eight playoff appearances.

Apr 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami Heat guard forward Joe Johnson (2) gets a rebound during the first half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami Heat guard forward Joe Johnson (2) gets a rebound during the first half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

72. Joe Johnson (Boston Celtics 2001-02, Phoenix Suns 2002-05, Atlanta Hawks 2005-12, Brooklyn Nets 2012-16; Miami Heat 2016): A seven-time All-Star and an All-NBA pick in 2009-10, has never advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs in 11 tries.

71. Archie Clark (Los Angeles Lakers 1966-68, Philadelphia 76ers (1969-71, Baltimore/Capital Bullets 1971-74, Seattle SuperSonics 1974-75, Detroit Pistons 1975-76): A two-time All-Star and a 1971-72 All-NBA selection who played in the NBA Finals with the Lakers in 1968, but otherwise never advanced past the conference semifinals despite making the playoffs in every one of his 10 NBA seasons.

70. Dan Majerle (Phoenix Suns 1988-96, 2001-02; Cleveland Cavaliers 1995-96; Miami Heat 1996-2001): A three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive selection who was one of his era’s most prolific 3-point shooters, played in the NBA Finals with the Suns in 1993 and was on conference finalists with Phoenix in 1990 and Miami in 1997.

69. Derrick Coleman (New Jersey Nets 1990-95; Philadelphia 76ers 1995-98, 2001-04; Charlotte Hornets 1998-2001; Detroit Pistons 2004-05): An All-Star for the Nets in 1993-94 and the 1990-91 Rookie of the Year. Got to the second round of the playoffs just once in seven tries, probably made him say, “Whoop-dee-damn-doo.”

Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

68. Zach Randolph (Portland Trail Blazers 2001-07, New York Knicks 2007-08, Los Angeles Clippers 2008-09, Memphis Grizzlies 2009-16): A two-time All-Star, a 2010-11 All-NBA pick and the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2003-04, has advanced to one conference final with Grizzlies in 2013.

67. Rudy LaRusso (Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers 1959-67, San Francisco Warriors 1967-69): A four-time All-Star and an All-Defensive pick in 1968-69 who played in four NBA Finals with the Lakers, losing each time to the Boston Celtics.

66. Eddie Jones (Los Angeles Lakers 1994-99; Charlotte Hornets 1999-2000; Miami Heat 2000-05, 2007; Memphis Grizzlies 2005-07; Dallas Mavericks 2007-08): A two-time All-Star and a two-time All-Defensive selection, was twice a loser in the conference finals, with the Lakers in 1998 and the Heat in 2005.

65. Ricky Pierce (Detroit Pistons 1982-83; San Diego Clippers 1983-84; Milwaukee Bucks 1984-91, 1997-98; Seattle SuperSonics 1991-94; Golden State Warriors 1994-95; Indiana Pacers 1995-96; Denver Nuggets 1996-97; Charlotte Hornets 1997): Two-time Sixth Man of the Year and an All-Star in 1991, was a conference finalist with Bucks in 1986, SuperSonics in 1993.

64. Larry Johnson (Charlotte Hornets 1991-96, New York Knicks 1996-2001): Two All-Star berths with Charlotte along with a Rookie of the Year Award and an All-NBA selection. Reached the NBA Finals once, with the Knicks in 1999.

63. Lenny Wilkens (St. Louis Hawks 1960-68, Seattle SuperSonics 1968-72, Cleveland Cavaliers 1972-74, Portland Trail Blazers 1974-75): A Hall of Famer as a player (inducted 1989), a nine-time All-Star and the MVP of the 1971 All-Star Game, played in the Finals with the Hawks as a rookie in 1961, losing to the Boston Celtics, and never got back.

62. Jeff Hornacek (Phoenix Suns 1986-92, Philadelphia 76ers 1992-94, Utah Jazz 1994-2000): An All-Star with Phoenix in 1992, played in two NBA Finals with the Jazz in 1997 and 1998, losing each year to the Chicago Bulls, also a conference finalist with Phoenix in 1990 and Utah in 1994 and 1996.

61. Lou Hudson (St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks 1966-77, Los Angeles Lakers 1977-79): A six-time All-Star in Atlanta and an All-NBA pick in 1969-70. The Hawks were Western Division finalists in 1967, 1969 and 1970, but never got to the Finals.

60. Mookie Blaylock (New Jersey Nets 1989-92, Atlanta Hawks 1992-99, Golden State Warriors 1999-2002): One All-Star bid with the Hawks in 1993-94, six NBA All-Defensive selections. Teams never advanced beyond conference semifinals.

59. Carlos Boozer (Cleveland Cavaliers 2002-04, Utah Jazz 2004-10, Chicago Bulls 2010-14, Los Angeles Lakers 2014-15): A two-time All-Star and an All-NBA pick in 2007-08, was a conference finalist with the Jazz in 2007 and the Bulls in 2011.

58. Alvin Robertson (San Antonio Spurs 1985-89, Milwaukee Bucks 1989-93, Detroit Pistons 1993, Toronto Raptors 1995-96): Doubled as Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player in 1985-86, also earning an All-NBA spot, and was a four-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive pick. Was never with a team that won a playoff series.

57. Dan Issel (Denver Nuggets 1976-85): A Hall of Famer since 1993, won an ABA championship with Kentucky Colonels in 1975 and was an NBA All-Star in 1976-77. Helped Denver to conference finals appearances in 1978 and 1985.

56. Walt Bellamy (Chicago Packers/Chicago Zephyrs/Baltimore Bullets 1961-65, New York Knicks 1965-68, Detroit Pistons 1968-70, Atlanta Hawks 1970-74, New Orleans Jazz 1974): NBA Rookie of the Year in 1961-62 and a three-time All-Star, played in division finals with Baltimore in 1965 and Atlanta in 1970.

Apr 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward center Elton Brand (42) drives to the basket and scores during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward center Elton Brand (42) drives to the basket and scores during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

55. Elton Brand (Chicago Bulls 1999-2001; Los Angeles Clippers 2001-08; Philadelphia 76ers 2008-12, 2016; Dallas Mavericks 2012-13; Atlanta Hawks 2013-15): Rookie of the Year in 1999-2000, a two-time All-Star and an All-NBA honoree in 2005-06, reached his first conference finals with the Hawks in 2015.

54. Tom Chambers (San Diego Clippers 1981-83, Seattle SuperSonics 1983-88, Phoenix Suns 1988-93, Utah Jazz 1993-95), Charlotte Hornets 1997, Philadelphia 76ers 1997): A four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA pick and All-Star Game MVP in 1987, was a with Phoenix for their run to the 1993 Finals, played in conference finals with SuperSonics in 1987, Suns in 1990 and Jazz in 1994.

53. Jack Twyman (Rochester/Cincinnati Royals 1955-66): A Hall of Famer who was a six-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection, Cincinnati got to the division finals twice but ran into the Boston dynasty in 1963 and 1964.

52. Pete Maravich (Atlanta Hawks 1970-74, New Orleans/Utah Jazz 1974-80, Boston Celtics 1980): A second-team All-NBA selection in 1972-73 and a two-time All-Star, played in his only conference finals as a reserve with Boston in 1980 before retiring with knee problems. Played in the postseason just four times in an 11-year career.

Apr 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

51. Deron Williams (Utah Jazz 2005-11, New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets 2011-15, Dallas Mavericks 2015-16): A two-time All-NBA player in Utah and a three-time All-Star, Williams has advanced to the conference finals just once, with the Jazz in 2007.

Next: 50. Shortchanged By Injuries