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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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May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Russell Westbrook

Oklahoma City Thunder 2008-16

Russell Westbrook was the first of six members of the Seattle SuperSonics’ final draft class in 2008, taken with the fourth overall pick after playing two seasons at UCLA.

Shortly after the draft, the Sonics’ move to Oklahoma City became official and it didn’t take long for the rookie to establish himself as the starter at point guard for the Thunder.

In Westbrook’s second season, Oklahoma City broke through as a playoff team, losing in the first round to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

That set the stage in 2011 for the young club to take the next step in its development, a run to the Western Conference Finals, where they were taken out by the Dallas Mavericks, who went on to win the title.

In 2012, the Thunder made another deep run, this time reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since the move and the first time for the franchise since 1996. For the third straight year, Oklahoma City would fall at the hands of the eventual champion, this time losing four straight games to the Miami Heat after winning the series opener at home.

Westbrook’s career would take a dramatic turn in the 2013 playoffs, as he sustained a torn meniscus in Game 2 of Oklahoma City’s first-round victory over the Houston Rockets and was sidelined as the Thunder were upset in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Limited to 46 games in 2013-14, Westbrook was healthy for the playoffs as Oklahoma City reached the Western Conference Finals before losing to the San Antonio Spurs who, naturally, went on to win the title.

The Thunder—riddled with injuries—missed the postseason in 2014-15, but roared back in 2015-16.

Oklahoma City took a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals over the 73-win Golden State Warriors before becoming just the 10th team to take such an advantage and not win the series.

Westbrook is a five-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA performer who has been named All-Star Game MVP the last two years. He also won his first scoring title in 2014-15 and has placed fourth in the MVP voting each of the last two seasons,

In his eight seasons, Westbrook has averaged 21.5 points, 7.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 34.0 minutes per game, shooting .435/.302/.818.

The current tally on Westbrook’s playoff career:

NBA Finals: 0-1
Conference Finals: 1-3
Conference Semifinals: 4-0
First Round: 5-1

Next: 13. No Ring For Wagging Fingers