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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David Thompson
David Thompson (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

26. David Thompson

  • Years Active: 1975 to 1984
  • Teams Played For: Denver Nuggets, Seattle SuperSonics
  • Conference Finals Appearances: 1

There are few players in NBA history who are quite as important as David Thompson. That may seem like a blasphemous statement to some, but when Michael Jordan asks you to induct him into the Hall of Fame, there’s a pretty good chance that you were a big deal.

David Thompson was a big deal.

The man they called Skywalker was a sight to behold, even as he played during the era of the Lew Alcindor Rule. For those unfamiliar, the rule stated that college basketball players were not allowed to dunk.

Thankfully, Thompson didn’t run into that problem in the ABA or NBA.

When he made the jump from North Carolina State to the ABA, he found immediate success. He won Rookie of the Year and earned All-ABA Second Team honors in the league’s finally season. He would then transition smoothly to the NBA.

Thompson received All-NBA First Team recognition in both 1976-77 and 1977-78, additionally making four All-Star Game appearances during his time in the Association. He led the Denver Nuggets to the 1976 ABA Finals and followed up by guiding the franchise to the 1978 NBA Western Conference Finals.

The opportunities for success were within reach, but due to factors we won’t be discussing on this slideshow meant to praise players for their careers, Thompson was never able to win the big one.

Nevertheless, he was a scoring machine and a human highlight reel who influenced generations to come. He scored upwards of 11,000 NBA points in just 509 games, and has a strong case for being on the Nuggets’ Mount Rushmore.

Influence and incredible acts of athletic might define Thompson’s legacy today.