LeBron James is on a mission to win his first NBA championship, but this top-10 list of retired legends went their entire careers without a ring. So who is the greatest NBA player to never win a title?
10. Alex English, 1976-1991
The forward prospered from an up-tempo Nuggets team by ranking in the top 10 in points per game for nine straight seasons in the 1980s, including winning the scoring title in the 1982-83 season (28.4 points a game). But the furthest English was able to lead Denver was to the Western Conference finals in 1985.
9. Pete Maravich, 1970-1980
Pistol Pete is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history, averaging 44.2 points per game at LSU. He continued his scoring prowess and dazzling ball handling in the NBA. But Maravich only won one playoff series, and it was in his final season as a reserve for the Celtics. Boston won the NBA title a year after Pistol Pete retired.
8. Reggie Miller, 1987-2005
The all-time leader in 3-pointers made, and one of the best pure shooters in NBA history, made a name for himself by torturing the New York Knicks and superfan Spike Lee. But Miller is the first of five players on this list to star during the Michael Jordan era. After Jordan’s second retirement, Miller led the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals, losing to the Lakers.
7. George Gervin, 1972-1986
The Iceman won four scoring titles, averaging 26.2 points a game in his NBA career. He was named to 12 professional All-Star games (three with the ABA) and won the All-Star Game MVP in 1980. But Gervin never even made an NBA Finals, leading the Spurs to three conference finals in his 14-year career.
6. Dominique Wilkins, 1982-1999
One of the most explosive dunkers and scorers the league has ever seen, “The Human Highlight Film” was a nine-time All-Star and won the scoring title in the 1985-86 season, averaging 30.3 points a game. But the furthest he led the Hawks was to the Eastern Conference semifinals, four times.
5. Patrick Ewing, 1985-2002
Ewing is the best center to never win a championship, losing to the Bulls five times in the playoffs. He led the Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1994, the year Jordan decided to play baseball, but lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games. And New York made the finals in 2000 without their star center, who succumbed to an Achilles injury during the playoffs.
4. John Stockton, 1984-2003
The NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals helped lead the Utah Jazz to three Western Conference finals and two NBA Finals appearances. But Utah could never get over the hump, losing in six games to the Bulls in back-to-back seasons. Stockton made 11 All-NBA teams and five all-defensive teams in his 19-year career.
3. Charles Barkley, 1984-2000
Barkley is one of five players in NBA history with 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. His rookie year he teamed up with Julius Erving and Moses Malone, but the 76ers lost in the East finals. Sir Charles won the MVP in his first season with the Suns in 1993, but lost in the NBA Finals. And he teamed up with fellow Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon in 1997, but the Rockets lost in the West finals.
2. Karl Malone, 1985-2004
The two-time MVP is the second leading scorer in NBA history with 36,942 points. He made 11 All-NBA first teams and is a 13-time All-Star. The Jazz lost twice to the Bulls in the NBA Finals. In Malone’s final year he made one final run — signing with the Lakers and joining a roster that featured Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Gary Payton. But Malone — playing injured — and the Lakers lost in the finals to the Pistons.
1. Elgin Baylor, 1958-1972
The Hall of Fame forward made 10 All-NBA first teams while averaging 27.4 points a game (fourth highest all-time) in his 13-year career. The D.C. native led the Lakers to eight NBA Finals, but never won. He retired nine games into the 1971-72 season. The Lakers, of course, went on to finally win the title that year. His 22 years as GM of the Clippers likewise was cursed.
