Winning an NBA Championship depends on so many things. You have to be on a well-coached team with good role players, a leader, stay healthy, and even be lucky. That’s why so many legends of the game had to retire without ever getting a ring.
The same thing can be said about winning an MVP award. Being good or great is not enough, as you also have to lead your team to success and pretty much outplay every single other star in the Association throughout a full regular season.
Needless to say, not every single player wins an MVP over his career, the same way many great players retire ringless. Today, we’re going to honor some of them; letting you know about the top 5 players with the most career points and no rings or MVP awards.
5. Reggie Miller – 25,279 Points
Reggie Miller is the greatest player in the history of the Indiana Pacers and it’s not even close. Had he decided to leave and team up with other stars, chances are that he could’ve won a ring or two, but he always stayed put and faithful to the franchise.
Miller was pretty close to making it to the NBA Finals but Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls got the best of them in 1998. Then, he couldn’t get past the Los Angeles Lakers with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant when he was past his prime. He averaged 18.2 points per game and is one of the greatest three-point shooters of all time.
4. Alex English – 25,613 Points
It’s funny how we never talk about Alex English when we discuss the best scorers in the history of the league. This man was a walking bucket throughout his entire career, even leading the NBA in scoring during the 1982-83 season with 28.4 points per game average.
English spent most of his career with the Denver Nuggets, making it to 8 All-Star Games and 3 All-NBA Teams. His career averages of 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game paved his way to the Hall of Fame but never to a ring or an MVP.
3. Vince Carter – 26,728 Points
Vince Carter is one of the most beloved and respected people in the history of the league. He’s the only player to ever make an appearance in 4 different decades (1990, 2000, 2010, 2020) and holds the record for most seasons played in the NBA with 22.
Needless to say, you’re likely to score a bunch load of points when you’re around the league for that long. Then again, Carter didn’t top double-figures in points-per-game average over his final 6 seasons in the league. He was pretty close to winning a ring with the New Jersey Nets, tho.
2. Dominique Wilkins – 26,668 Points
Dominique Wilkins is one of the most underrated players to ever live. He was a walking bucket throughout his entire career and the fact that he decided to stay with his team for most is what hurt his chances of ever winning a ring. Also, he faced some tough competition.
Wilkins was an athletic freak and one of the most explosive dunkers you’d find. He averaged 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 46% shooting. He led the league in scoring once, was a 9-time All-Star, and a 7-time All-NBA.
1. Carmelo Anthony – 27,054 Points
The NBA robbed Carmelo Anthony from one year of his career and that’s something basketball fans should never forgive them. He’s one of the most dominant and versatile scorers in the history of the game, even if he’s never been able to win a ring.
Melo never wanted to team up with another star and passed on chances to play with LeBron James multiple times. He wanted to win on his own and it didn’t pay off. He was an MVP candidate a couple of times, tho, but was always forced to live under other players’ shadows.
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