In basketball, scoring is the key to winning the game. Whether it's the regular season or the playoffs, whoever scores more points has the advantage. Especially in the NBA, the highest level of basketball, the strength and ability of players who can continue to score high points are undoubted. Players who have scored more than 25,000 career points are undoubtedly the top scorers in history, and they represent exceptional scoring ability and enduring competitive form. However, among them, there are eight players who have scored more than 25,000 career points but have never won the championship.
These "uncrowned kings" are both admirable and regrettable. Let's take a look at some of the legendary scorers in NBA history, who, despite their brilliant stats, have never been able to achieve their championship dreams.
Harden vs. Willis
James · Harden and Russell · Westbrook are two of the most well-known uncrowned scoring champions among active players. Both men swept the league in their prime, and with their unique abilities, they became the team's core defenders.
One of the best shooting guards in history, Harden is known for his unsolvable breakaways and accurate three-point shooting. During his career, he has won many honors such as MVP, scoring champion and assist leader, and he has scored more than 25,885 points to date. However, despite the fact that Harden's team has been close to winning the championship many times, Harden has never been able to take that last step and reach the championship podium.
Willis is one of the most explosive point guards in NBA history, and his physicality and speed are breathtaking. Wei Shao has won the regular season MVP, and has dominated the game with triple-double stats many times, and has scored 25,211 points in his career. However, whether it was in the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, or Lakers, he never won a championship.
These two guards, who once played alongside the Thunder, failed to reap the biggest win in team accolades, despite their great achievements in individual accolades and statistics. Now, as the two men get older, there is still a lot of suspense about whether they can chase the coveted championship in the final stages of their careers.
Reggie · Miller, Vince · Carter and Alex · Inglish
Miller was one of the most dangerous shooters of the '90s and the soul of the Pacers. With his three-point shooting and cool shooting ability, he led the Pacers to the playoffs many times and reached the Finals. As the best three-point shooter before Ray ·Allen, Stephen · Curry at the time, Miller scored 25,279 points in his career. However, Miller's Pacers were never able to make it past the Bulls era under Jordan and ultimately failed to score a championship.
Carter is not only a slam dunk legend, he's also a top scorer. While his career has garnered attention for his amazing dunks, his scoring ability is just as remarkable. Carter has a 22-year career with multiple teams and has scored a total of 25,728 points. However, Carter never won a championship with the team, which became a major regret in his illustrious career.
Inglish was a top scorer in the '80s, known for his elegant scoring skills and excellent jump shots, and was once the top scorer in 1983. During his career, he scored 25,613 points. However, the Nuggets for which Inglish played were not the favourites at the time, and he failed to lift the championship trophy as a result.
Dominic · Wilkins
Known as the "essence of human cinema", Wilkins was one of the most explosive small forwards in the NBA in the 80s. His violent dunks and tough physicality made him one of the iconic players of the era. In the process of playing against Jordan, Bird and other superstars, Wilkins showed amazing scoring ability and won the title of scoring champion. However, due to the Hawks, who have not been the favorites to win the championship, Wilkins missed the championship despite scoring 26,668 points.
Carmelo · Anthony
As one of the best scorers of the "03 Golden Generation", Anthony is known for his unsolvable offensive skills and versatile offensive means. With 20+ points in 14 consecutive seasons, Anthony has won the scoring title and reached a career total of 28,289 points. However, although Anthony has played for strong teams such as the Nuggets and Knicks, he has never been able to touch the championship honor. Later in his career, Anthony joined the Trail Blazers and Lakers in a championship-hunting campaign, but unfortunately that goal never materialized.
Carl · Malone
Among these uncrowned scorers, Karl · Malone are undoubtedly the most "king" players. He is the third-most scoring player in NBA history, with a whopping 36,928 points combined. He was a two-time regular season MVP during his time with the Jazz and led the team to the Finals several times. However, Malone's fate was intertwined with Jordan's, and although the Jazz reached the Finals twice, they were ultimately defeated by Jordan's Bulls, and Malone regretted not being crowned champion.
All of these players are among the top scorers in NBA history, with exceptional talent, exceptional skill and outstanding work ethic. However, basketball is not just an individual competition, it is a team competition. Despite their impressive individual scoring stats and stellar careers, they have been missing that championship ring when it comes to team accolades.
Just because they're uncrowned doesn't mean their careers aren't successful enough. Their greatness lies not only in the accumulation of statistics, but also in the countless wonderful moments they bring to the fans, as well as their spirit and perseverance on the field. Championships are important, but the legends of these uncrowned scoring champions have long been engraved in the history of the NBA and have become eternal classics in the hearts of generations of fans.