Fansided

30 best NBA players to never win a championship

By Cody Williams

Dec 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) controls the ball against LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) controls the ball against LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
30 of 30
Next

1. Charles Barkley

Topping Malone for the top spot as the greatest NBA player to never win a championship is none other than Charles Barkley. If you were curious if he changed to become the goofball personality that fans see today on Inside The NBA, the answer is a definitive no. He’s always been a source of comedy who’s unafraid to say just about anything at any time. But once upon a time, he was also one of the most unique and dominant players of a generation.

It’s not every day that you see a 6-foot-6 power forward, especially when you look back in the mid-80s and through the 90s well before the rise of small ball in terms of popularity. However, that was Barkley and he was still able to dominate everyone at the position in the league.

Making three stops throughout his career, Barkley played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets. Though his tenure in Houston was him as a lesser version of himself, he was still a double-double machine and force that was valuable. However, it was nothing compared to him at his best.

Barkley’s best, ranging from the 1986-87 season to the 1995-96 season showcased just how devastating he was to opponents for a long time. Over that span, he averaged 24.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Expanding the scope again, Barkley only averaged fewer than 10 rebounds per game in one season for his entire career, and that was his rookie year. What’s more, he evolved his game over time as he went from being an athletic and physical player to being just a strong and lethal physical force.

Next: Best NBA Teams To Never Win NBA Finals

With both the Suns and the Rockets, Barkley came within reach of winning a title, but he was ultimately able to do so. That’s a shame first because it ultimately puts a black mark on his overall body of work, which is undeserved. It’s also a shame, though, because a Charles Barkley interview after winning a ring would’ve been in the top one best moments in the history of the league.

Home/NBA