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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Lenny Wilkens
Lenny Wilkens (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

30. Lenny Wilkens

  • Years Active: 1960 to 1975
  • Teams Played For: St. Louis Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers
  • NBA Finals Appearances: 1

Before he became one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, Lenny Wilkens earned the same reputation amongst point guards. Drafted at No. 6 overall in 1960 by the St. Louis Hawks, Wilkens would become the type of floor general that coaches often dream of.

That’s likely why he also became such a great sideline general.

On the court, Wilkens made multiple All-Star Game appearances with two different franchises and reinvented himself at multiple stages based on what his team needed from him. There were times when Wilkens was more of a scorer—22.4 points per game in his first season with the Seattle SuperSonics.

There were times when Wilkens was more of a distributor—a league-leading 9.1 assists per game in his second year with Seattle. There were even times when he did a little bit of both—20.0 points and 8.3 assists per game in his final season with St. Louis.

No matter what the situation called for, Wilkens found a way to help his team. That ultimately helped St. Louis reach the 1961 NBA Finals, where it gave Bill Russell and the incomparable Boston Celtics a run for their money.

Over the course of his legendary career, Wilkens amassed 7,211 assists. That places him at No. 16 all-time, despite the fact that nearly 50 years have passed since his retirement. Wilkens also scored just under 18,000 career points.

Although the nine-time All-Star never won a championship as a player, Wilkens was able to secure a championship as head coach of the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics—the same team he once played for.

Poetic justice.