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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George Gervin
George Gervin (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

10. George Gervin

  • Years Active: 1973 to 1986
  • Teams Played For: Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
  • Conference Finals Appearances: 3

This list has consisted of a number of scorers who can be called anything from the basic adjective of, “Great,” to the more grandiose term of, “Spectacular.” When it comes to the truly special scorers who have graced the NBA, however, the list is brief.

One of the names who is essential to such a collection of talent is “The Iceman” himself: San Antonio Spurs legend George Gervin.

Gervin first achieved notoriety ABA, where he earned All-Rookie honors in 1973, All-Star distinctions in every season from 1974 through 1976, and All-ABA recognition in 1975 and 1976. It didn’t take long for his success to translate to the NBA.

Gervin was named All-NBA in seven different seasons, including a string of five consecutive All-NBA First Team appearances between 1978 and 1982. During that same stretch, the Spurs’ most notorious scorer captured four scoring titles in five seasons—a feat that even the great Michael Jordan must tip his cap to.

In fact, Gervin is one of just five players in NBA history to win at least four scoring titles—and he won his while playing in the same Association as one Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Gervin’s most astonishing scoring season was in 1979-80, when he poured in 33.1 points per game on 52.8 percent shooting from the field. It was in the postseason, however, that The Iceman solidified his legacy, as he led the Spurs to the first, second, and third Conference Finals appearances in franchise history: 1979, 1982, and 1983.

He even had the Spurs within one game of the 1979 NBA Finals, but fell in Game 7 to the Dandridge-Hayes-Unseld Washington Bullets.

He scored 42 points on 16-of-31 shooting in that Game 7 loss—a 107-105 nailbiter.

The Spurs wouldn’t make it back to the Conference Finals for another 12 years after ’83, when a certain David Robinson would win MVP and lead the franchise within two games of the championship round.

That should tell you all you need to know about how important Gervin was to the Spurs, as well as how remarkable a player he truly became.

“Special” is the word you’re looking for. If not, it’s likely, “Underrated.”