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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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(Original Caption) Hawks player-coach Richie Guerin, (15), goes up all alone for a driving lay up shot in St. Louis-Philadelphia game here. Guerin’s speed and fast break was the trademark of the Hawks’ star. Bringing up the rear is Philadelphia’s Wally Jones.
(Original Caption) Hawks player-coach Richie Guerin, (15), goes up all alone for a driving lay up shot in St. Louis-Philadelphia game here. Guerin’s speed and fast break was the trademark of the Hawks’ star. Bringing up the rear is Philadelphia’s Wally Jones. /

49. Richie Guerin

New York Knicks 1957-63, St. Louis Hawks 1963-67, Atlanta Hawks 1968-70

The New York Knicks took a shot on a kid from the Bronx in the second round of the 1954 NBA Draft, taking Iona College’s Richie Guerin.

After a two-year stint as an Marine Corps officer, Guerin came to the Knicks in 1956 and was a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA pick. But during that time, New York made the playoffs just once.

In October 1963, the Knicks traded Guerin to the St. Louis Hawks for a 1964 second-round pick and cash. He later was named player-coach of the Hawks in December 1964. The Hawks played in the division finals in 1964, 1966 and 1967, but couldn’t advance further.

Guerin opted to retire rather than report to the Seattle SuperSonics after being selected in the expansion draft in May 1967 and when he opted to go back into uniform in 1968, after the Hawks had moved to Atlanta, the SuperSonics traded back his rights in exchange for Dick Smith.

Guerin retired for good after the 1969-70 season after Atlanta had reached the division finals in 1969 and 1970.

Guerin was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2013 and had a 327-291 record as coach of the Hawks from 1964-72, earning NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1967-68.

Guerin was also the general manager of the Hawks from April 1972 until August 1973.

The final tally on Guerin’s NBA playoff career:

NBA Finals: 0-0
Division Finals: 0-5
Division Semifinals: 5-2
First Round: 0-0

Next: 48. Back Problems Cut Career Short