Barkley, Mutumbo, and Ewing are the only one's that deserve it of the big names. Malone and Stockton don't deserve anything for their cheap shots and dirty play.
It's got to be John Stockton - NBA's ALL TIME steals and assist leader... From Wiki - John Houston Stockton - "Stockton, a 10-time NBA All-Star commandingly holds the NBA record for career assists with 15,806 (10.5 per game), and had 5,483 more career assists than Mark Jackson, who is second all-time (only 33 players in NBA history have recorded more than 5,483 assists in their entire careers). Stockton also holds the record for assists-per-game average over one season (14.5 in 1990), and is one of three players who have logged more than 1,000 assists in one season, joining Kevin Porter (1,099 in 1979) and Isiah Thomas (1,123 in 1985) in the exclusive list. Stockton did this seven times, with season totals of 1,164, 1,134, 1,128, 1,126, 1,118, 1,031 and 1,011 assists. Bronze statue of Stockton outside the Delta Center (now known as EnergySolutions Arena). He and Karl Malone are regarded as the quintessential pick and roll duo. Apart from his passing skill, Stockton was also known[who?] for being a capable scorer (13.1 points per game career average, with a high .515 shooting percentage) with a reliable three-point shot (.384 lifetime average). He is 30th on the all-time NBA scoring list with 19,711 career points [8]. On defense, Stockton holds the NBA record for career steals with 3,265, nearly 30 percent more than second placed Michael Jordan, who had 2,514[9]. Similar to his career-long partner Malone, Stockton was considered[who?] a "dirty" defender by some, but he was certainly effective, earning five NBA All-Defensive Second Team nominations. Stockton was known for his unassuming, no-nonsense approach to the game, hard-nosed defense, and fanatical work-ethic in preparation, which resulted in his extreme durability. He played 1,504 of 1,526 possible games in his 19-season career. In his first 13 seasons, he missed only four games until he missed the first 18 games of the 1997–98 season due to an injured MCL in his left knee sustained in the preseason. That was the only major injury in his career and he never missed another game after returning. In his last season at age 41, he started in all 82 games, and finished with more-than-respectable averages of 10.8 ppg and 7.7 apg. Stockton avoided endorsements, and stayed loyal to Utah despite being offered significantly more money by other teams. In 1996 he agreed to a deal that made salary-cap space available so the team could improve, but insisted on guaranteed Delta Center ice time for his son's hockey team. On May 11, 2006, ESPN.com named Stockton the 4th best point guard of all time."
here's my take: Kendal Gill (the dude averaged 20Pts during the mid 90s),Penny Hardaway, Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson, John Starks, Allan Houston etc... That's why basketball is a team game.......... how about the worst players to win a ring Mengke Bateer (2003 Spurs), Jason Caffey, Bill Wennington, Rusty Larue, Jack Halley (The Bulls Dynasty) and sad to say..Adam Morrison and Sun Yue (Should the Lakers Win)
i have no idea what relevance a list composed of mid 90's fringe all-stars and career underacheivers has in relation to an inquiry into the best players without rings. i really need to learn to overlook rookie posters - they're just plain bad for my blood pressure.
The most tragic is Sharif Abdur Rahim. That guy not only never won a ring he never even made it to the playoffs.
he was also almost traded to the rockets for a package that included the draft pick that became yao ming.
Barkley was the superior player to Malone at his peak. Malone had the better work ethic and was able to maintain a high degree of play for a longer period.
Barkley and Stockton at their peaks had to be the two best players never to win one. Malone and Kevin Johnson are up there, too.
