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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James Harden
James Harden (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

8. James Harden

  • Years Active: 2009 to Present
  • Teams Played For: Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets
  • NBA Finals Appearances: 1

This one could admittedly change in the near future, but for now, James Harden slots in at No. 7. He’s one of the greatest players in NBA history, with a long list of accolades and a few near calls as far as winning a championship is concerned.

Perhaps most impressive of all: Harden is on the shortlist of players who have both won NBA MVP and never secure a title.

Perhaps the third-best player in Houston Rockets history after Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone, Harden was an easy selection for this list. In addition to winning MVP, he’s a six-time All-NBA First Team selectee, a three-time scoring champion, and a former assists leader.

He’s also a former Sixth Man of the Year for an Oklahoma City Thunder team that defied the odds to reach the 2012 NBA Finals with a cast of 23-and-under lead players.

In Houston, Harden led the Rockets to the Playoffs in each of his eight completed seasons with the team. That includes a trip to the 2015 Western Conference Finals with Dwight Howard as his co-star and the 2018 NBA Semifinal with Chris Paul in that role.

Throw in an Olympic Gold Medal and Harden is an NBA championship away from incredibly rare territory as far as accolades are concerned.

He’s an offensive dynamo with the unique ability to take over any game he plays. He’s also won far more consistently than he’s commonly given credit for.

With well over 100 playoff games behind him, Harden has a legitimate opportunity to go down as an all-time great if he can break the championship drought.

Based on his placement on this list, perhaps it won’t even be required.