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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Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson (Photo by: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

9. Allen Iverson

  • Years Active: 1996 to 2010
  • Teams Played For: Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies
  • NBA Finals Appearances: 1

There are few players in NBA history whose influence even begins to compare to that of Allen Iverson. While Michael Jordan made basketball more of a perimeter-oriented, jump-shooting game, Iverson changed the culture in ways we still aren’t fully comprehending.

Take one look around the NBA and you’ll see a whole generation of athletes with tattoos and arm sleeves—one of the seemingly countless ways that Iverson has culturally altered the landscape.

You’ll also see a generation of players who are point guards by size and shooting guards by style. Once again: Iverson.

Beyond his influence, Iverson is one of the greatest performers in NBA history. He’s one of five individuals to win the scoring title on at least four separate occasions and is by far the shortest player of anyone on that list.

The others joining the 6’0” Iverson: 6’6″ Michael Jordan with 10, 7’1″ Wilt Chamberlain with seven, and 6’10” Kevin Durant and 6’7″ George Gervin with four.

Perspective.

Iverson also won NBA MVP in 2000-01, received three All-NBA First Team nods, and led the league in steals on three occasions. He famously guided the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals the year he won MVP, which stands as the franchise’s only trip to the championship round since 1983.

He took down three other Hall of Fame shooting guards along the way, defeating Reggie Miller in the first round, Vince Carter in the second, and Ray Allen in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the 2001 NBA Finals, Iverson and the 76ers became the only team to win a game against Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers during the entirety of the 2001 Playoffs.

Whether you’re talking talent or influence, you simply can’t tell the story of the NBA without Allen Iverson.