Greatest NBA player who never got a ring?

[cobbler]

Watching my "team leader" blow a 3-1 series lead to a team with a Small Forward playing Center wouldn't make me call said leader the "ultimate closer" either, but still happens.

Oh.... Are you talking about a #8 seed taking a #1 seed with the MVP to 7 games with a starting team that includes Smush Parker and Kwame Brown. Great comeback!

FAIL

[IronMexican]

I try to forget about Smush.

[cobbler]

I try to forget about Smush.

Who?

[IronMexican]

Dude had the athletic ability, but was an idiot.

[baseline bum]

Stockton. No doubt the single best player without a ring.

Malone was a better player than Barkley overall, but Malone choked in the Finals; brought on his own demise. That has to be taken into account. Not only does it hurt Malone, but I think it helps Stockton because I view him [Malone] as the force that prevented Stock from getting a ring.

I don't think he's better than Barkley or Baylor, but I will say Stockton has to be the most underrated player in the history of the game. I still can't believe the Bulls survived the 98 Finals, especially after Stockton hit that go-ahead three with like 40 seconds left in game 6 (if Malone holds onto the ball, Utah is the 98 champ). Stockton alone willed that team to victory in the series with Sacramento the way Michael Finley single-handedly dragged the Mavs past them a couple of years later.

[stretch]

Barkley.

[BacktoBasics]

I didn't read this entire thread but definately Kobe.

[Lakers_55]

I didn't read this entire thread but definately Kobe.

Do you mean Koby Karl, son of coach George, who was put on the inactive roster by the Lakers during the playoffs last year? If you are thinking of Bryant, he has a 3peat. Not many players can attest to winning three rings in a row.

[dickface]

If you are thinking of Bryant, he has a 3peat.

[SenorSpur]

I'd go

Charles Barkley
Dominque Wilkins
Artis Gilmore
Bob Lanier
Patrick Ewing
Karl Malone

[Galileo]

1. Karl Malone

2. Elgin Baylor

3. Charles Barkley

4. Allen Iverson

5. Lebron James

6. Patrick Ewing

7. Dirk Nowitski

8. Steve Nash

9. George Gervin

10. Dominique Wilkins

11. George Yardley

12. Jason Kidd

These are all top 50 all-time players who never won a ring.

[xtremesteven33]

John Stockton and Karl Malone. Such a great team that could not beat Jordans Bulls.

that sucks...haha

[jack sommerset]

dominique wilkins

[JoeTait75]

In my lifetime, Stockton and Malone. And those late '90s Utah teams would have smoked anyone other than Chicago in those Finals.

[galvatron3000]

Gotta be Moses Malone.

?

[galvatron3000]

Dr. J but he did win a couple of ABA championships but after the merger with the NBA he couldn't win anything. Perhaps had he stayed with the Nets he would have won a championship but water under the bridge now.

?

[galvatron3000]

Um, Moses Malone swept the Lakers in the 1983 Finals.

4-1

[galvatron3000]

I'd take Barkley over Malone everytime, I watched his greeatness and I wouldn't argue with one person about that choice. Keep Malone I want Barkley every single time. The dude was a beast and very undersize but he was truly great. He used his gifts to the best of his ability. He never choked in the Finals either.

[galvatron3000]

In my lifetime, Stockton and Malone. And those late '90s Utah teams would have smoked anyone other than Chicago in those Finals.

Not sure about that because the East had teams that could have won if not for the BUlls being so good, Pippen on Stockton killed the Jazz. Bulls were too versatile. Pacers, Knicks and the Jazz had two chances the years prior and afterwards they lost to Seattle or someone else, Portland I think.

[Rogue]

Jason Kidd

[cherylsteele]

4-1

Uh...no...it WAS 4-0 76ers.

Maybe add Dikembe Mutumbo to that list.

[Findog]

I want Barkley every single time. The dude was a beast and very undersize but he was truly great. He used his gifts to the best of his ability..

That's not true. By his own admission, he didn't work as hard as he could have. He was a great player, and was a beast, especially when you consider he was a 6'4 power forward, but Malone was a much harder worker than Barkley.

[mrspurs]

The Iceman

[galvatron3000]

That's not true. By his own admission, he didn't work as hard as he could have. He was a great player, and was a beast, especially when you consider he was a 6'4 power forward, but Malone was a much harder worker than Barkley.

I have no knowledge of him making such an admission but it has nothing to do with what I said. He used his ability not honed, which is what you are referring too. AT 6'4 he used his strength, his athleticism, basketball smarts and whatever to the best of his ability. If he could have done more I don't know what it could have been. Perhap he coould have been a better defender but you never got the sense Barkley was close to pulling a Vince Carter, never!!

[Supergirl]

George Gervin or Karl Malone.