The best champions to never win NBA Finals MVP

23 April 2013: Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) during game two of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY The Knicks defeated the Celtics 87-71 to lead the series 2-0. (Photo by Rich Kane/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /

3 of 11

UNDATED: New York Knicks’ forward Walt Frazier #10 shoots from the free throw line during a game. 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 Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Walt Frazier

Walt Frazier was as cool and suave off the court as he was on the court, helping to lead the New York Knicks to two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. However, despite his excellence as both a defensive stopper and as an offensive maestro, who could score and distribute with ease, Willis Reed took Finals MVP in both of the Knicks championship seasons. Admittedly, though, Frazier got absolutely robbed in 1970, especially following an immortal performance that showed him racking up 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 19 assists on 12-17 shooting. It may not have been as iconic as Willis Reed’s limping entrance in the same game, but it contributed far more to the Knicks’ eventual victory. While known to today’s fans more for his dazzling outfits and proclivity for rhymes as the color commentator for Knicks games, Frazier was one of the best point guards of the late sixties and early seventies, a player who managed to stand out in spite of the team first atmosphere that the Knicks so carefully curated.

Home/NBA