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
14 of 51
Next
Shawn Kemp
Shawn Kemp (Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT) /

38. Shawn Kemp

  • Years Active: 1989 to 2003
  • Teams Played For: Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic
  • NBA Finals Appearances: 1

The Seattle SuperSonics aren’t just the franchise that left a long mourning franchise—they were a team that nearly ended a dynasty. The Chicago Bulls won 73 games in a 1995-96 season that many call the greatest in NBA history.

Working opposite them was a Seattle squad that secured 67 wins and an NBA Finals appearance of their own.

Gary Payton is the Hall of Famer from that remarkable team, but don’t allow the highlights to convince you Shawn Kemp was just there for the excitement factor. In addition to being one of the NBA’s all-time great dunk artists, Kemp was a skilled scorer with a smooth midrange game.

That much was proven in the 1996 NBA Finals, when he poured in 23.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game on 55.1 percent shooting from the field while being primarily defended by Dennis Rodman.

The Bulls ultimately escaped with their fourth of six championships, but the Sonics pushed Phil Jackson and company to six games. One of the primary reasons for Seattle’s success was the high-octane offense that balanced out the smothering defense.

That offense was anchored by Payton and Kemp being an unstoppable duo in transition, as well as a dangerous combination in the half-court due to the pick and roll, and pick and pop abilities they possessed.

Kemp was named to the All-NBA Second Team on three different occasions and made six All-Star Game appearances, but a title eluded him and the SuperSonics. A Gold Medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship may not be a consolation prize, but it should further prove that Kemp played winning basketball.

Kemp even led the Cleveland Cavaliers to 47 wins and a postseason appearance in 1997-98 to hammer home just how great he was capable of becoming.