NBA’s great stars who have yet to win their first ring

Time is of the essence, especially when it comes to careers in sport. And during those careers, only a few usually achieve the great objective - the rest try to simply stay on the path to Olympus.

That’s the reality of major sports competitions - among them, the NBA. Big names, several exceptionally talented players who never achieved championship glory and, therefore, the long-awaited ring. For some of them, this season could be their last opportunity (or at least one of the last) to do so before their sports careers come to an end.

We take a look some of the players who are well into their thirties, with more than 12 seasons played in the best league in the world who, at least for now, have not won the NBA championship ring.

Chris Paul

Although due to his age (38 years) it might seem that his chances of being champion are exhausted, he is probably the member of this list who is closest to the ring before the season begins. Paradoxes of fate, Chris Paul was transferred to the Golden State Warriors in June after one of the classic twists and turns that only the NBA is capable of generating in the form of a trade.

Considered one of the best point guards in history and after 18 seasons in the league, CP3 was on the verge of the elusive ring on several occasions. The closest, just two seasons ago, when the Bucks starring Giannis, Middleton and company won the Finals after overcoming a 0-2 deficit against ‘their’ Phoenix Suns (4-2). In any case, Chris Paul has savored that aura that surrounds the big favorites during the playoffs in other seasons: with the Rockets, forming a fearsome duo with James Harden, they fell in the Conference final against, precisely, his current team; and he was also close during his time with the Clippers, reaching the West semi-finals on three occasions.

However, Chris Paul has one year left on his guaranteed contract, which he will enjoy in the Bay Area as a luxury replacement for the Splash Brothers. Will it be enough before his final goodbye? CP3′s last dance in the NBA, knowing his injury history, seems close...

Russell Westbrook

The one who was MVP of the NBA in 2017 and crowned king of the triple-double, Russell Westbrook, connects too many seasons without really enjoying that feeling of candidacy for the title. The point guard trained at UCLA will turn 35 in November and, since the 2015-16 season, he has not managed to even remotely even sniff a possible ring.

In those playoffs, the historic 73-9 Warriors shattered the hopes (as almost always) of their current rival, a Thunder defeated in the Conference final after an incredible comeback forged in Oklahoma that went from 1-3 to 4-3. It was so painful that Kevin Durant, after those playoffs, left OKC and his most iconic duo to join those Warriors in their search of the ring.

A title that, after the fact, Westbrook has not been able to compete in other franchises. Not even in his decline in the Thunder - nor reuniting with James Harden in the Rockets or last year, alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis with the Lakers. Of course, he is now in a franchise, the Los Angeles Clippers which, coincidentally, doesn’t know what it means to win a ring either. And he is not the only one mentioned here who is looking to get it in the Los Angeles franchise.

James Harden

Coincidentally, joining the Clippers has been The Beard’s desire this summer. At 34 years old, after 14 years in the NBA and multiple disappointments along the way, James Harden has known how to adapt to the characteristic physical decline: from being a scoring machine in the shooting guard position, to becoming a basis of excellent vision of the game.

After those 36.1 points and 7.5 assists per night in 2018-19 wearing the Rockets’ jersey, the 2018 MVP has reached his all-time high in the league giving away happiness to his teammates: 10.7 basket passes per night in Philadelphia. However, his last two years in Philly did not end up, even remotely, satisfying his sporting desires. His peak has been two conference semifinals, losing to the Heat and the Celtics, respectively, to leave Philly in limbo for one more summer and requesting a new transfer. But that is another story...

Demar DeRozan

After turning 34 last summer, the Bulls guard has spent too many seasons without being part of a real contender for the title. Although for many he has never been considered a superstar of the league, DeRozan is the top scorer in the history of the Toronto Raptors, a team in which he achieved his prime and with whom he was closest to winning the ring.

Those conference finals against the Cavs by LeBron and Irving in 2016 was the peak for the Canadian franchise, until Kawhi, with the help of Marc Gasol and Ibaka, changed history. However, after beginning new journeys in San Antonio and Chicago, DeRozan has only sniffed the playoffs again on a couple of occasions: in both cases he fell in the first round, with the Spurs in 2019 against Denver Nuggets (4-3); and against the Bucks, already wearing the Bulls jersey (4-1), two seasons ago. In any case, his current project in the Windy City does not predict, at least a few days before the season starts, a future with real aspirations of even fighting for the ring. In fact, they haven’t even competed in the playoffs last year.

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Jimmy Butler

As surprising as it may seem, seasons (about to begin his thirteenth in the league) and years (34) also pass through Jimmy Butler. His career in Miami only lacks winning the title to be anthological, since the team has reached the conference final in two of Butler’s four seasons in Florida. It is true that in none of them were the Heat close to reaching the title: 4-2 against the Lakers in the Orlando bubble and 4-1, last year, against the Nuggets.

In any case, both in the bubble and in the last postseason the Heat showed their competitive gene, a sacrificial style of play in which the community takes precedence over individuality. The question is: what does the Heat need to accompany Butler to the championship ring? It could have been the arrival of Lillard, then came the attempt for Jrue Holiday... but the reality is that the team begins the new season without major changes to its roster. For now...

Paul George

The youngest of this congregation of stars (33 years old) is, despite this, one of the players most affected by injuries in recent years. Despite being one of the leaders of the Clippers’ ambitious project, the reality is that Paul George has not managed to find the necessary consistency in the Los Angeles franchise. After four seasons at Staples, the forward has completed 189 of the 328 possible games, that is, just over half. And, in fact, he has not played a single game in the Clippers’ last two playoff appearances.

In his favor, due to the project - he has Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook as teammates - and age range, PG13 has real options to win the title before its retirement. But the shadow of injuries always hangs over the Californian forward and, except for the 2020-2021 season, in which the Clippers reached the conference final against the Suns (4-2), Paul George has had paltry postseason appearances over the past decade. Hence, even during the summer there were transfer rumors...

Al Horford

Perhaps without being classified as a star at the level of Chris Paul, Westbrook or James Harden, the Celtics pivot may have coincidentally been closer than those great players to getting a ring. Al Horford has already played in four conference finals with Boston, including those historic NBA finals two seasons ago against the indestructible Warriors.

However, despite being 37 years old and after 16 seasons in the best league in the world, his chances of winning the championship title do not seem to be reduced. Belonging to one of the two most successful franchises in history, without a doubt, keeps his expectations high, although his participation on the field has not declined after playing about 30 minutes on average per night last year. Now, with a renewed squad after the arrival of Porzingis and Jrue Holiday and the goodbye of the iconic Marcus Smart, the Celtics once again present their candidacy with a Horford who could be facing his last season in the league.