Hoops Habit
Fansided

50 greatest NBA players to never win a championship

By Maxwell Ogden

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 01: Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers expresses emotion after making a basket during their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 1, 2005 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks won 117-108 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 01: Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers expresses emotion after making a basket during their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 1, 2005 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks won 117-108 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Walter Davis
Walter Davis (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

42. Walter Davis

  • Years Active: 1977 to 1992
  • Teams Played For: Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers
  • Conference Finals Appearances: 3

One of the unsung heroes of 1980s, Walter Davis played 15 impressive years in the NBA. He won Rookie of the Year in 1978 after pouring in 24.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and progressively became a more complete player as the years passed.

With 19,521 career points scored, Davis was also on the precipice of a statistical feat that has led many players to the Hall of Fame.

Davis was a six-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Second Team honoree. That reputation as a star-level player was earned by virtue of his fundamentally perfect jump shot, which he used to absolute perfection from midrange.

It became a staple of the Suns’ offense, which enabled the franchise to reach the Western Conference Finals on three separate occasions with Davis in the fold.

Davis averaged 22.1 points and 5.3 assists on 52.0 percent shooting during the Suns’ road to the 1979 Conference Finals. For those who might have thought it was a fluke, he poured in 24.9 points and 6.4 assists on 53.5 percent shooting during the road to the 1984 Conference Finals.

In other words: Davis’ regular season honors were proven as valid and deserved when he stepped foot on the floor in a postseason setting.

The Suns reached the NBA Finals with Kevin Johnson and Charles Barkley shortly thereafter, but the foundation was established by Davis’ era of successful basketball in Phoenix.