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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Steve Nash
Steve Nash (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

7. Steve Nash

  • Years Active: 1996 to 2015
  • Teams Played For: Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers
  • Conference Finals Appearances: 4

One of the words that has come up on this slideshow is, “Pioneer.” When mentioning those trend-setting players, one would be remiss to exclude Steve Nash from the discussion.

Mike D’Antoni justifiably receives praise for his innovative offensive schemes, but Nash had a unique skill set as one of the greatest passers and shooters to ever grace the hardwood.

That unfortunately never led to a championship, but traces of Nash’s influence can be found throughout the modern NBA—including the absolute necessity for a team’s point guard being able to space the floor.

Nash ranks third in NBA history in career assists at 10,335 and cracked the top 25 in career three-point field goals despite being discouraged from shooting them early in his career. He also ranks 11th in career three-point field goal percentage at .4278 and second in career free throw percentage at .9043.

Those are clear signs of his elite proficiency as a shooter.

Nash also has an NBA record four 50-40-90 seasons, with Larry Bird at two being the only other player to accumulate more than one. For as incredible as that all is, it speaks to how great Nash was that we haven’t even gotten to the fact that he’s a two-time NBA MVP.

He’s one of just 14 players in NBA history to win that award in multiple seasons.

Nash was also a seven-time All-NBA honoree and eight-time All-Star. He also reached the Western Conference Finals on four separate occasions, including when he was 36 years of age and leading a D’Antoni-less Suns team in 2009-10—a fact that’s rarely discussed.

Nash retired without winning a championship, but he played winning basketball for the better part of 17 years and has an incredible résumé to show for it.

120 career postseason games and five seasons as the NBA assists leader included.