50. Terry Porter
- Years Active: 1985 to 2002
- Teams Played For: Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs
- NBA Finals Appearances: 2
Terry Porter may not be the biggest name that you’ll see on this list, but it’s a shame that he didn’t win a championship. A consummate professional who ran a balanced offense and set a positive tone for his teams on both ends of the floor.
With 17 years of NBA experience, multiple Finals appearances, and the respect of his peers, Porter makes our list as one of the best leaders to never win a ring.
Porter made two All-Star Game appearances, thus proving that he was far more than a role player in his day. He was a three-level scoring threat, a poised passer who kept everyone involved on the Trail Blazers, and an unselfish playmaker who helped Clyde Drexler achieve superstardom.
Porter was also one of the more clutch players in Portland Trail Blazers history, as evidenced by his propensity for stepping up in the biggest of moments.
For instance, when the Trail Blazers defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the 1990 Western Conference Semifinals, Porter did the following in their final three wins of the series:
- Game 2: 27 points, seven assists, five steals
- Game 5: 38 points, five rebounds, five assists
- Game 7: 36 points, nine assists, two steals
Porter also put up 23 points and seven assists in the closeout game of the Western Conference Finals, and 21 points and 10 assists during Portland’s lone win during the 1990 NBA Finals.
That was something Portland came to rely on, Porter stepping up when the team needed it most. It was the highest form of praise a team could offer to its point guard, as trust in key moments is essential to team success.
Considering Portland made multiple NBA Finals appearances, Porter’s clutch gene earns him his place on this list.