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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Mark Price
Mark Price (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

39. Mark Price

  • Years Active: 1986 to 1998
  • Teams Played For: Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic
  • Conference Finals Appearances: 1

If you’re looking for a player who you could pluck out of one era and place in today’s game with even greater results, Mark Price is one to consider. The man who popularized splitting the pick and roll, Price was ahead of his time in both the way he played and the advancement of his skill set.

Running into Michael Jordan on a fairly consistent basis did him no favors, but Price earned the respect of his peers and the lifelong admiration of Cleveland Cavaliers fans.

Price was named All-NBA in four different seasons, including the All-NBA First Team selection he received in 1992-93. He joined the 50-40-90 club in 1988-89, is a career 40.2 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and ranks third all-time (.9039) behind Stephen Curry (.9076) and Steve Nash (.9043) in career free throw percentage.

Price was the very definition of a marksman, as well as one of the most skilled passers of his generation—see: 9.1 assists to just 2.9 turnovers per game during his brilliant 1989-90 season.

Price also made 152 three-point field goals on 40.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc that year but was discouraged from shooting as many threes as his career progressed.

As far as winning is concerned, Cleveland made the Playoffs in six of seven seasons with Price running point between 1987-88 and 1994-95. It’s no coincidence that the one exception was in 1990-91 when Price missed 66 games due to a torn ACL.

The very next season, Price helped the Cavaliers reach the 1992 Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland pushed Jordan and the Bulls to six games and even made it back to the Conference Semifinals the next season.

Injuries damaged Cleveland’s chance at contending in the future, but Price helped the Cavaliers became must-see TV long before LeBron James was drafted.

Think Steve Nash before Steve Nash.