Hoops Habit
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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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Adrian Dantley
Adrian Dantley (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

25. Adrian Dantley

  • Years Active: 1976 to 1991
  • Teams Played For: Buffalo Braves, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks
  • NBA Finals Appearances: 1

When it comes to putting the ball in the basket, few have ever been as prolific as Adrian Dantley. That unfortunately never led to a championship being won, but Dantley achieved quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career, including the reputation of one of the game’s most renowned scorers.

Dantley’s impact on winning has been debated over the years, but one can’t deny that he belongs on the list of the 50 greatest NBA players to never win a championship given what he was able to accomplish during his career.

Dantley averaged upwards of 30 points per game in three completed seasons, including two during which he won the scoring title. He also averaged 28.0 points per game on 57.6 percent shooting in 1979-80 and 29.8 points per game on 56.3 percent shooting 1985-86.

Simply put: Dantley was as good as anyone has ever been when it comes to scoring at a high volume and efficient clip.

Dantley ultimately appeared in 73 postseason games, thus disputing the argument that he outright couldn’t play a winning style. That includes postseason series victories as the go-to scoring option in both 1983-84 and 1984-85.

Yes, Dantley was famously traded by the Detroit Pistons for Mark Aguirre, which helped the Pistons evolve into the Bad Boys and win back-to-back championships. In saying that, he helped Detroit reach the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals and the 1988 NBA Finals.

The Pistons may have taken the final step without him, but they knocked on that door with Dantley playing a pivotal role. In fact: Detroit lost 108-105 in Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals, with Dantley providing 16 points on just 11 field goal attempts.

In other words: Dantley came pretty darn close to winning the championship that eluded him.