NBA: Ranking the 30 best players to win NBA Finals with 2 or more teams
By Corey Rausch
Best NBA players to win NBA Finals with two or more teams: 15. Ron Harper
Ron Harper was a victim of the depth at the guard positions in the league when he played. If he played in another era he would have easily made a few All-Star games, boosting his resume. The five championships will have to do that for him.
Harper played for Miami of Ohio and was drafted eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1986. As a rookie for the Cavs, Harper was explosive, averaging 22.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He was an easy All-Rookie First Team selection and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. In his second and third seasons, the team improved, making the playoffs but being eliminated by the Chicago Bulls in the first round both times.
Shortly after the start of his fourth season in the league, Harper was traded to the LA Clippers where he would spend the next four and a half seasons. In his first season with the Clippers he again looked like a star, averaging 23.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks before his season was truncated by injury.
After his run with the Clippers, Harper signed with his old rival in Chicago. His role with the Bulls was different than anything he had ever done. Instead of being a go-to scorer, he became a key defender and helped run the offense. He would go on to play five seasons in Chicago, including all three championship seasons from 1996 through 1998. After being released by the Bulls (who were pivoting into a rebuild) Harper rejoined coach Phil Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers and earned a few more titles to pad his resume.