Top 10 players to never win an NBA title

Earlier this week, I was talking with my Baseline Hoops co-workers and the topic of the top players to never win a ring came up.  Our one writer made a bold claim that Allen Iverson is one of the top five players that played the game to never win a championship.  First, let me say that growing up I was the biggest Allen Iverson fan that there was.  As much as I liked Iverson and his heart, I can’t put him as one of the top-five players to never win a ring.  Once we had a good debate going, we thought it would be interesting to list our top players to never win a ring and see where they landed on our respective lists.  So without further adieu, here are my top-10 players to never win an NBA title.

1.) Elgin Baylor –  Baylor was one of the best players in the league for over 10 years. With a career average of 27.4 points per game, Baylor averaged 38.3 in 1961-1962 season.  He was Rookie of the Year, an 11-time All-Star, and made the All-NBA First Team 11 consecutive seasons from 1959 to 1969.  Baylor led the Lakers to eight NBA finals, but unfortunately had to face the Boston Celtics seven times during their remarkable feat of eight straight NBA titles.  Baylor and the Lakers also fell victim to the New York Knicks in 1969-1970 as Willis Reed carried the Knicks to victory.  When Baylor finally retired due to injuries in 1972, the Lakers finally won the title.

2.) Karl Malone – Malone is arguably the best power forward to ever play the game.  Malone was voted one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players, is a 14-time All-star, a 14-time All NBA selection (11-time First Team selection), and a two-time NBA MVP (one of nine players to win MVP of the league more than once).  Malone is second all-time in scoring with 36,374 points and averaged 25 points per game in his career.  Malone made the NBA Finals three times, twice as a member of the Utah Jazz and once in his only season as a Laker.  The Lakers fell short to the Pistons that year even with a lineup that featured “The Mailman, Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

3.)  Charles Barkley – “Sir Charles” Barkley was voted one of the 50 greatest players, is an 11-time All-star, a two-time Olympic Gold medal winner, a five-time All NBA team selection and the 1993 NBA MVP.  Barkley stood only 6’6, but was a force on the block as an undersized power forward.  Barkley consistently outrebounded other players and posted a career-high in rebounds in 1987 with 14.6 per game.  Barkley only  made the finals one year where he was bested by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in 1993.

4.)  John Stockton – Malone and Stockton are one of the best duos of all-time in the NBA in my opinion.  The pick-and-roll was made famous and was perfected by the two under the tutelage of Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Sloan.  One of the 50 greatest players, Stockton is the NBA all-time assists and steals leader with over 15,000 assists and 3200 steals. He led the NBA in assists in nine consecutive seasons. Stockton is a 10-time All-star and 11-time All NBA selection. Regarded as one of the best pure point guards in the league, Stockton led the Utah Jazz to the postseason in 18 consecutive seasons.  He made two NBA finals appearances with Malone, falling to the Bulls both times.

5.) George Gervin – “The Iceman” is one of the most legendary players to ever play the game and he sadly never had the chance to walk away with a NBA title.  Gervin had a great ABA and NBA career in which he totaled 26,595 total points. Gervin won four scoring titles (only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have more), played in nine straight NBA All-Star games, and finished second twice behind Bill Walton and Moses Malone respectively for NBA MVP honors. Known for his famous finger roll, launched from his fingertips while gliding through the lane, Gervin averaged 26.2 points in his NBA career and made it to three conference finals before losing to the eventual NBA champion Washington Bullets in 1979 Eastern Conference Finals, and the Lakers in 1982 and ’83 Western Conference Finals.

6.) Patrick Ewing – I may have Ewing higher on the list than most, but I truly feel he was one of the best big men to ever play the game of basketball.  Ewing, now a coach in Orlando who works with Dwight Howard on his low-post moves, was the No. 1 pick of the 1985 draft, the prize of the first ever Draft Lottery. Ewing led the New York Knicks back to relevance in the late 1980′s and made them a perennial contender in the 1990′s. He was voted one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all-time, is a two-time Gold medal winner, 11-time All-star and had one of the sweetest jump shots by a 7-footer. Ewing, who guaranteed an NBA title more than once during his career, fell short to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls three-straight seasons in three different rounds of the playoffs (1991 first round, 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals, 1993 Eastern Conference Finals) and missed a golden opportunity to win the ring in 1994 up 3-2 against the Houston Rockets in the Finals. The rest of Ewing’s Knicks career was filled with heartbreak as they lost the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Indiana Pacers after blowing Game 1 at home and missing a Game 7 finger roll.

7.) Pete Maravich – “Pistol” Pete was a college legend (averaged over 40 points a game in all four seasons at LSU) who brought his  game to the NBA in 1970. He was a five-time All-star, four time All-NBA selection, and was voted one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest players. In 10 full seasons playing for the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Jazz in the NBA, Maravich worked magic with the basketball. He led the NBA in scoring in 1977 and wowed the crowd with his blacktop style of basketball. Maravich scored a career high 68 points and scored over 40 points in a game numerous times in his career en route to a 24.2 points per game career average. Knee injuries cut his career short in 1980 and he died of a heart attack in 1988 while playing a pick up game.

8.)  Dominique Wilkins – Wilkins is a nine-time NBA All-Star who played for the Atlanta Hawks in the 1980′s. With a career average just under 25 points per game Wilkins is one of 12 NBA players to score more than 25,000 points in his career.  Wilkins’ only scoring title came in 1986 when he averaged 30.3 points.  Wilkins is best known for his highlight reel dunks that won him two slam dunk titles in 1985 and 1990. Despite being a career 32-point per game scorer in the postseason, Wilkins never reached the NBA Finals.

9.) Allen Iverson –  Iverson, who has had his name tossed around in rumors lately about a possible return to the NBA with the Lakers or playing ball in Puerto Rico with the likes of Rashad McCants, is one of the best, yet controversial players of all-time.  Iverson, who won the Rookie of the Year award in 1996, famously crossed over Jordan and showed the NBA that he had arrived.  He won four NBA scoring titles, was an 11-time All-Star, and the 2001 NBA MVP. In 2001 Iverson led the Philadelphia 76ers to his only NBA Finals appearance against the vaunted Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 1, Iverson had his way with the Shaquille O’Neal-led Lakers with 48 points giving L.A. their only loss of the post season.

10.) Reggie Miller – Miller, known for his trash talking antics, is arguably the best shooter of all-time.  Miller played all 18 years of his professional ball with the Indiana Pacers and was the career leader in three-pointers until he was passed by Boston Celtics’ Ray Allen.  Miller made one NBA Finals appearance in his career against the Lakers in 2000, but came out on the wrong side.

Eddy Curry Given Second Chance By The Heat

We’ve seen some good comeback stories over the years throughout sports.  Josh Hamilton was a man with all of the talent in the world but got hooked on drugs and found himself out of baseball.  Thanks to a life devoted to faith and staying clean, Hamilton got a second chance and become the American League MVP two years ago with the Texas Rangers.  Last year, Ryan Vogelsong found himself back in the major leagues after a five-year layoff.  Vogelsong ended the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and ended up playing baseball in Japan.  After failed attempts to come back with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the San Francisco Giants invited Vogelsong to spring training last season.  Vogelsong’s contract was purchased after Barry Zito went out with an injury.  Vogelsong ended up making the All-Star Team and just signed a two-year contract extension.

We’ve seen Mario Lemieux return from cancer to continue his hockey career.  Antoine Walker and Sean Livingston returned to the NBA after not playing for a few years due to money issues and injuries.  This time around, the comeback story belongs to Eddy Curry.  In the Heat’s win over the Lakers Thursday night, Curry scored six points in six minutes for the Heat in his first game in two years in the NBA.  Curry last appeared for the New York Knicks Dec. 17 2009.  Curry, who was drafted No. 4 in the 2001 draft by the Bulls, never quite lived up to the hype as he has only averaged 13 points per game in his career.

Curry came into the league with high expectations with a TV documentary filming his senior season of high school as he prepared for the draft.  Curry and Tyson Chandler were dubbed the “Baby Bulls” and were looked to save the franchise that went downhill after the departure of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.  Curry quickly became a draft bust and departed to New York.

After a less than stellar stint there, Curry found himself overweight and out of a job.  Curry was invited to the Heat’s training camp last season, but didn’t find a deal.  This year however, Curry came to camp in December with a slimmed down figure, losing over 100 pounds since last spring.

Curry still looked unconditioned against the Lakers and still has work to do offensively and defensively, Curry was late rotating as Troy Murphy hit an open jumper from 15 feet for example.  Curry said his body “felt good” after the game and even though it was only six minutes, it’s still a second opportunity for the 29-year old Curry.  While he may not see much time in the coming weeks, Curry will be counted on for Coach Eric Spoelstra’s team in the playoffs to defend the likes of Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah in the paint.

Many athletes only get one chance to make it to the league.  In Curry’s case, he’s lucky enough to have a second chance, one that he won’t take for granted.

Photo Credits: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Baylor’s Dramatic Fall And Rise Back To The Top

When you think about Texas, football is the first thing that comes to mind.  Whether it is high school football shown in “Friday Night Lights”, college football and its prestigious history, or the NFL with “America’s Team” the Dallas Cowboys.  Football has always been the biggest sport in Texas.  In the college ranks however, basketball has made its case as a mainstay.  We’ve seen the Texas Longhorns have their success in the T.J. Ford and Kevin Durant days.  Texas Tech has seen success in the past decade with Bobby Knight coaching great college players like Andre Emmett.  Even Texas A&M has seen success with Antoine Wright showcasing his skills before heading to the league.  With all these great schools in play, there is still one that is outdoing them in the state of Texas.  That school, believe it or not, is Baylor.

The men’s basketball team at Baylor is currently ranked No. 4 in the country and just pulled off arguably the biggest win of the season Tuesday (Jan. 10) at Kansas State 75-73.  The Bears victory over Coach Frank Martin and the Wildcats lifted the Bears record to 15-0, joining Syracuse (17-0) and Murray State (16-0) as the only undefeated teams in the country.  Sure a turnaround at any school makes for a great story, but at Baylor, it goes deeper than just basketball.

In the summer of 2003, Patrick Dennehy transferred from the University of New Mexico to Baylor.  Dennehy and his Baylor teammate Carlton Dotson purchased two pistols and a rifle because they feared for their safety.  Dennehy’s parents became concerned after they failed to hear from him on Father’s Day and an informant from Delaware told police that Dotson told his cousin that he shot and killed Dennehy after an argument at the firing range in Waco, Texas.  On July 25, Dennehy’s body was discovered under a gravel pit in Waco, Texas.  Dotson was arrested and plead guilty for the murder of Dennehy and was sentenced to 35-years in prison.

Along with the tragedy of Dennehy, NCAA investigated then Baylor Coach Dave Bliss.  Bliss was accused of paying for Dennehy and Corey Herring’s tuition since the school reached its maximum scholarships.  Bliss denied the allegations by saying, “We have followed the rules, however difficult they may be, for 30 years.”  Along with paying the tuition, which Bliss later admitted to, he also ignored drug abuse by the basketball team.  Bliss for forced to resign in August 2003.

The total major violations were as followed at Baylor:

• Bliss paying for tuition for two players, Dennehy and Herringand attempting to conceal it.
• Coaching staff providing meals, transportation, lodging and clothing to athletes.
• Coaching staff paying for tuition and fees for a recruit at another school.
• Bliss’s encouragement of school boosters to donate to a foundation tied to a basketball team that included prospective Baylor recruits.
• Failure to report positive drug test results by athletes.
• Failure by the entire coaching staff to “exercise institutional control over the basketball program.

Baylor could have faced the “death penalty” which we have seen imposed on SMU.  Baylor instead was put on probation until June 2010, released all players from their scholarships in 2003-2004, allowing them to go elsewhere if they chose to do so, Baylor was banned from non-conference play in 2005-2006, reduced recruit visits from 2004-2007 and no postseason play in the 2003-2004 season.

This comeback is about more than basketball for Baylor.  It’s about a school overcoming the mistakes of the past to bring the program back to relevance.  The Baylor Bears are led by Coach Scott Drew and Perry Jones III (13.4 ppg) and Quincy Acy (12.1 ppg) on their search for their first ever Big-12 Championship.  It isn’t just the men’s team that is making noise at Baylor.  The Baylor women’s team is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation at 15-0 led by Brittney Griner.  The Baylor women are one of the four undefeated teams left in NCAA as they look to win the schools second major NCAA title in school history (2005 women’s basketball).

Joining the success of the basketball teams this season was the outstanding play by the Baylor football team.  Baylor finished the season 10-3 and ranked No. 15 in the AP poll.  Robert Griffin III, known as RG3, became the first Baylor player to win the Heisman Trophy in school history.  Griffin is the second-ranked quarterback in the upcoming draft class.  Griffin and wide receiver Kendall Wright look to join Jason Smith and Daryl Gardener as the only Baylor first round selections since 1996.

From misery to triumph, Baylor has been to hell and back to get the program back to where it is.  With the help of its athletes and coaches, Baylor can put the past behind them and embrace being a school that is actually a sought out destination for student athletes.

 

Photo Credit: Rod Aydelotte – AP

Pitt’s Losing Streak Reaches Five Games

At what point in a losing streak with a premier program do fans and players feel it has to stop?  Is it three games? Maybe four games?  Well for Pitt fans, their four-game skid heading into their game against Rutgers was enough.  The Panthers fell out of the top 25 for the first time since December 28, 2009.  With a grueling schedule that includes No. 24 Marquette, No. 1 Syracuse, No 15 Louisville, No. 11 Georgetown and a surprising Providence team that has an argument to crack the top 25, Pitt’s game against Rutgers was an early season must-win.

Unfortunately for the fans and players alike, the Panthers ran into the Scarlet Knights at the wrong time, fresh off their upset victory over UConn.  The Panthers lost once again 62-39 to Rutgers, extending their losing streak to five games and four in a row in Big East play, both firsts in the Jamie Dixon era.

During the losing streak, Pitt has lost three games at home, four on the season, in what is considered every year as one of the toughest places to play in the nation.  As a comparison, Pitt only lost one home game ALL of last season.  What is causing the losing streak?  Is it a lack of a big man?  Could it be the transition defense isn’t playing up to par?  Did the departure of Khem Birch put too much pressure on Talib Zanna?  I think it is a combination of all of these, including Big East Preseason Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs inability to find his role on the team.

Gibbs led the Panthers in scoring last year, but with the departure of Brad Wanamaker, Gilbert Brown and Gary McGhee, more pressure has been put on Gibbs this season.  Gibbs, who originally declared for the NBA draft before returning to Pitt, was trying to shed his label of being a player who can’t create opportunities for himself.  So far this season, Gibbs (16.7 ppg) has remained a player that has scored coming off ball screens.

With the tough schedule ahead, when will Pitt turn it around?  Better yet, CAN Coach Dixon fix this team and return it to the Pitt that we know?  Pitt, who has been the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament two times, needs to right the ship and quickly to ensure they don’t miss the tournament for the first time since 2000-2001.  Pitt in the NIT Tournament just doesn’t sound right.

 

Photo Credits: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images