The first above-the-rim superstar, he elevated the game to new heights and racked up eye-popping stats but it never translated into an NBA title, despite eight Finals appearances
FEATURED LISTS
So close and yet so far: 22 greatest players who played in an NBA Finals but never won a title
We previously ran down the list of greatest players without an NBA Finals appearance. Now we tackle the players that made it at least once to the deciding series for the Larry O’Brien trophy, but weren’t victorious.
Can’t blame me: 15 greatest individual NBA Finals performances in a losing effort
Man with one name: Seven legendary players who never received a proper nickname
Reign of terror: 19 disastrous tenures from NBA general managers
Pressure valves: 23 NBA rookies who made a major impact in the postseason
INDEX
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- All-time greatest Lakers
- As rookie with great postseason performance
- As television broadcaster
- Coaching the Jazz
- Feuding with Jazz players
- Finished second in NBA league MVP voting but never won
- General manager of the Clippers
- In the 1962 NBA Finals
- In the 1963 NBA Finals
- Lack of nickname
- Missing out on league MVP in a controversial voting (1963)
- Never named NBA league MVP
- On ’71-’72 Los Angeles Lakers (greatest teams)
- Passed away in 2021
- Playing in NBA Finals and not winning a title
- Replaced by Jim McMillian
- Returning as head coach of Jazz
