NBA

Top 5 Duos To Never Win NBA Championship

Fresh Videos

By @fanforlife1988

Who Are The 5 Greatest Duos To Never Win An NBA Championship?

John Stockton and Karl Malone Action Portrait
Getty Images Sport - Andrew D. Bernstein

Throughout NBA history, there have been many great duos that have gone on to championship success, and are considered among the greatest of all time. But for each one of those legendary one-two punches are several duos that were unable to achieve the illustrious goal of winning a championship for one reason or another. This list reveals the five greatest NBA duos that could not quite win the big one, but still remain among NBA's elite.

5. Steve Nash & Amare Stoudemire: Phoenix Suns 2004-2010

Orlando Magic v Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire
Getty Images Sport - P.A. Molumby

5. Steve Nash & Amare Stoudemire: Phoenix Suns 2004-2010

Orlando Magic v Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire
Getty Images Sport - P.A. Molumby

When Steve Nash returned to Phoenix in 2004, he and Amare Stoudemire guided the Suns to the Western Conference Finals in both their first season, and last together in 2010. During that time, the seven-seconds-or-less Suns were a perennial title contender, with Nash winning two MVP awards along the way. The duo formed a lethal pick-and-roll combo, and were influential in changing the way NBA basketball is played.

4. Gary Payton & Shawn Kemp: Seattle SuperSonics 1990-1997

1997 NBA Finals: Seattle SuperSonics vs. Chicago Bulls, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Michael Jordan
Getty Images Sport - Andrew D. Bernstein

4. Gary Payton & Shawn Kemp: Seattle SuperSonics 1990-1997

1997 NBA Finals: Seattle SuperSonics vs. Chicago Bulls, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Michael Jordan
Getty Images Sport - Andrew D. Bernstein

The Seattle SuperSonics of the 1990s were led by one of the most dynamic and thunderous duos the league has ever seen. Behind Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, the Sonics won more than 50 games during five different seasons, which included a trip to the 1996 NBA Finals. The team would lose to the 72-10 Chicago Bulls that year, and after the 1997 season, Kemp was traded, which effectively ended the Sonics' run atop the Western Conference.

3. Shaquille O’Neal & Penny Hardaway: Orlando Magic 1993-1996

Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Orlando Magic
Getty Images Sport - Andrew D. Bernstein

3. Shaquille O’Neal & Penny Hardaway: Orlando Magic 1993-1996

Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Orlando Magic
Getty Images Sport - Andrew D. Bernstein

Before there was Shaq and Kobe, there was Shaq and Penny. Shaquille O’Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992, which was followed by a draft-day trade for Penny Hardaway in 1993. The two superstars combined to make the Magic a force out East, which included a trip to the NBA Finals in 1995. After being swept in that series, and again the following year, things soured, as a contract dispute led to Shaq bolting for Los Angeles in 1996.

2. Jerry West & Elgin Baylor: Los Angeles Lakers 1960-1972

Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Getty Images Sport - Ken Levine

2. Jerry West & Elgin Baylor: Los Angeles Lakers 1960-1972

Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Getty Images Sport - Ken Levine

Two of the greatest to ever play the game, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West formed the NBA's highest-scoring duo in history, with averages of over 27 points per-game each. Despite making the Finals seven times together, Baylor and West were never able to defeat the legendary Boston Celtics. West, who was an All-Star in all 14 of his NBA seasons, would finally win a ring in 1972, but injuries forced Baylor to retire just nine games into that season.

1. Karl Malone & John Stockton: Utah Jazz 1985-2003

Utah Jazz v Houston Rockets, Game 4
Getty Images Sport - Glenn James

1. Karl Malone & John Stockton: Utah Jazz 1985-2003

Utah Jazz v Houston Rockets, Game 4
Getty Images Sport - Glenn James

Led by John Stockton and Karl Malone, the Jazz made the playoffs in every season the two Hall of Famers played together. In 1997 and 1998, the Jazz posed the greatest threat to the Bulls and their dynasty, losing in two hotly-contested NBA Finals. The legends helped each other achieve various statistical records along the way, with Stockton setting the all-time record in assists and steals, and Malone finishing second all-time in points scored.

Zach Fetaru is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @fanforlife1988 ”like him” on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on