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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 51
Next
Houston Rockets, Yao Ming
Yao Ming (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

40. Yao Ming

  • Years Active: 2002 to 2011
  • Teams Played For: Houston Rockets
  • All-NBA: 5x (2x Second Team, 3x Third Team)

Few players have received more hype during their NBA careers than former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming. He was unable to complete a decade in the NBA due to injuries, but many would agree that he justified the praise he received during his healthy seasons.

Ming averaged 20.3 points and 9.5 rebounds on 52.8 percent shooting from the field between 2003-04 and 2008-09, with Houston making the Playoffs whenever he was healthy enough to lead them there.

2008-09 was one of the bizarre years in an injury-prone player’s career where it all seemed to come together right before the end could arrive. Ming led the Rockets to 53 wins in the regular season and even secured the franchise’s first postseason series victory of the post-Olajuwon era.

Any time a player ends a postseason-level drought that lasts 12 years, it’s safe to say they’re worthy of our praises.

Ming was injured in the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, but only after he produced 28 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in a Game 1 victory over the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

He would notch five All-NBA seasons overall, as well as the eight All-Star Game selections that were dictated by either talent or popularity. He combined his 7’6” size with a smooth midrange jump shot that defied logic and developed an admirable toughness about his game.

We can only wonder what might have occurred had he played a less rigorous international schedule, but he was ultimately inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player nonetheless.

The Rockets have also retired Ming’s No. 11 jersey.