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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Amar'e Stoudemire
Amar’e Stoudemire (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

23. Amar’e Stoudemire

  • Years Active: 2002 to 2016
  • Teams Played For: Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat
  • Conference Finals Appearances: 2

Although it was Steve Nash who won MVP with the Phoenix Suns of the 2000s, Amar’e Stoudemire often stole the show. With a combination of size, athleticism, and skill that made him perfectly equipped to thrive in Mike D’Antoni’s system, Stoudemire became a pick and roll nightmare.

Between his remarkable success with the Suns and his rejuvenation of the New York Knicks, Stoudemire fought off injuries for as long as he could en route to a career that has landed him on the Hall of Fame bubble.

Stoudemire’s accolades speak for themselves. He was named All-NBA in five different seasons, including a First Team nod in 2007 and four Second Team appearances between 2005 and 2011. He won Rookie of the Year in 2003 and was selected to the All-Star team on six separate occasions.

Stoudemire also registered 78 postseason games played, including a 2005 run that saw him average 29.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks against the likes of Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol.

For perspective on just how good Stoudemire was when he was healthy: He averaged at least 25.0 points per game in three of the five seasons during which he appeared in at least 70 games. That doesn’t include when he averaged 23.1 points on 55.7 percent shooting while playing all 82 games in 2009-10.

Nor does it include when he put up 20.4 points on 57.5 percent shooting when he went 82-for-82 in 2006-07 after missing all but three games in 2005-06.

Stoudemire never won an NBA championship, but injuries may have hurt him more than any other big man on this list. It’s a shame his greatness is so scarcely mentioned when discussing the, “What if?” players throughout history.

Stoudemire was one of the very best in the regular season and postseason alike.

Plus: He led the lowly Knicks to their first postseason appearance in seven years.