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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47. Tom Chambers

  • Years Played: 1981 to 1997
  • Teams Played For: San Diego Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers
  • NBA Finals Appearances: 1

Tom Chambers had a surprisingly underrated career. In addition to being one of the best scorers of his generation, he played 108 postseason games and accumulated an impressive list of individual accolades along the way.

Although Chambers may not be the first player people think of when considering greats who didn’t win it all, he actually came close on a few occasions.

The context with Chambers is that he’s actually a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree who won All-Star Game MVP in 1987. He also amassed upwards of 20,000 career points and appeared in the Playoffs on 10 separate occasions.

That includes five trips to the Conference Finals and one to the NBA Finals, including three runs to the league semifinals during which he was a star player.

Chambers scored 37 points to close out the Seattle SuperSonics and reach the 1987 Western Conference Finals. Just two years later, he dropped 41 points in a losing effort against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989, only to help the Phoenix Suns get right back in 1990.

That may not have resulted in Chambers winning a championship, but the level of production he provided to teams that consistently won at a high level can’t be overlooked.

A high-flyer who could pour it in with the best of them—see: 27.2 points per game on a 54-win team in 1989-90—Chambers was a force on offense.