How important is a NBA championship title?

Without a ring should the following players be considered great or not.

Yes, all of them should.

Pistol Pete- he practically revolutionized basketball to an entertaining sport, and just for that, and his uncanny scoring and passing ability, both tops in the league he deserves to be a legend.

Pat Ewing- although he wasn't able to win a ring, he accomplishes the 20,000 and 10,000 feat that only a handful of player ever in the league were able to accomplish, he deserves to be called a legend.

Karl Malone- I might like many think that he wouldn't have the success that he did if he hadn't played alongside a top 3 pg ever in the game(John Stockton), you can't take the legend title away from the guy who scored the second most points in the league.

Nique- Human highlight film, what can I say, he made dunking a fan favourite. He made the Hawks, he made the Highlight factory, and he is not only a great scorer and person, a person in general as well.

J. Stock- Vice-Versa, I also don't think that Stock would have the success he does unless he played alongside dominant Karl Malone as a one-two punch. But he did finish first in the league in two big categories, steals and assists, and that deserves no matter what the "legend" title.

Sir Charles- He was the one who proved being undersized doesn't matter, no matter what position you played in. Playing at 6'6, he was more than a couple inches shorter than other power forwards, but he dominated them on the glass and in scoring like they were a foot shorter. Weight problems or not, he is a legend.

Elgin- He has the second most points scored in Lakers histoy, next to yours truly, Kobe Bryant, whom have had many great scorers (Kareem, Wilt, and Jerry West to name a few). He is dubbed the first guy to fly, or for that, to jump like no one else. So basically, if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be seeing dunks right now made by guys other than centers. Legend.

Iceman- Iceeeee, he plays so smoothly and so easily. He made scoring look so easy, a short little mid-range shot was like playground stuff to him. The finger-roll obviously is his trademark move that he perfected, and not only was it effective, you can see the fluid motions made by the incomparable George Gervin.

Of these active players who do you think will never win one.

AT the moment? AI. Grant Hill, Nash, Jason, and T-Mac.

Why?

Everyone knows the problem embedded within AI, he is still playing like he was 7 years ago. But not stat or efficiency wise. The way he plays now, he ruins the chemistry of any team. If he truly wants a championship, go be a sixth man for a contender.

Grant Hill- Merely because of his age and his team. He will likely finish his career in Phoenix, along with Nash. The Suns are going through rebuilding process right now, and are in no shape or form to become a contender anytime soon, before Hill retires.

Nash- See most above^^. Same reason, he finishes his career in good fashion, but again rebuilding process of Suns diminishes his chances.

Jason- He will be recognized as a top ten PG all-time when retired, but once again, he is too old now. He won't be playing at the high level he was a couple years ago or even 2007-2008 season before the trade to Dallas, so I don't think that will help the Mavs get a champ anytime soon. No diss.

T-Mac- Man, all these injuries. He could have stayed in Orlando, he could have stayed in Toronto to play with his cousin, he could have helped Houston get to the Western Conference finals last season, but that's all the past. He is a great player, under-achieved if not, but the lack of physical toughness(sorry Mac) have all shunned away his chances at a ring.

You can be a great player without a ring. However, when comparing the relative merits of two different players, rings or the lack thereof are a significant factor. If you're arguing with someone about who the better PF is... Duncan or Malone... Duncans 4 rings make a strong case for him.

Rings are more important in the NBA because an individual player has so much influence on the success or failure of his team. An NBA player is one of just five guys on the court. He's on the court for probably 80% of the game, maybe more. A guy like LeBron or Kobe probably handles the ball on 90% of his teams offensive plays.

The only guys on your active players list who I think still have a shot at a ring are James and Howard. One of the others might sneak in at the tail end of their career, the way David Robinson did... who knows what the draft or trades might bring?

I championship is the most important thing in the NBA, not becuase the players who win it go down in history as the best, but for others reasons.

first of i just wanna say adam morrison sucks, and he has a ring, but he is a great great deal in making these players the best, why you might ask.

The Drive.

If these crappy players didn't get rings, then these players without rings who are still legends wouldn't have the drive to keep playing and the goal to win a ring.

Players like Larry Hughes and Stephon Jackson already know at this time in their career they are not winning a ring, so they are taking low percentage shots and playing selfish basketball.

So the drive these players have to win a ring is what makes them great, so if rings weren't important pete marrarich would take a bunch of crappy shots and not dish the ball out

All the retired players you listed that haven't won a ring are great

out of the ones who never one a title I think Dwight Howard,Lebron James,and even Dirk Nowitzki will be the 3 to win NBA titles during their careers.

A ring is important though because it's the goal of every team and player. Winning a title ring is what you strive for at the beginning of the season and the one thing every player wants in their career.

Ewing,Barkley,and Stockton would've likely won rings had they not run into Michael Jordan.

Winning an NBA title though to players is the ultimate goal which makes it very important

Winning a Gold Medal is Basketball can actually be seen as an accomplishment as well since a Gold Medal is better than an NBA title in that sense anyway

I think an NBA championship title is important but I don't think that necassarily defines a player's greatness.

While they may look good and sound great, I would say they are more of a team accomplishment rather than just one player to thank.

The first list of NBA players that have retired were great players, no one can deny that. But again, I don't think championships define a player.

Out of the last list..I would think the ones capable of still winning one would be LBJ, Dwight and a few others, they have bright futures ahead of them.

Winning a championship is important. Makes you the best in the world.

How can you name yourself the greatest if you never have been a champ...

These guys are great but they wont be not great either.

A.I

Grant Hill

Nash

Dirk

Kidd

T-Mac

These guys will not win a championship in their career.. Unless...

Grant Hill signed to the Lakers or a great championship contender, Or the rest of these guys get traded to a legit contender team

Very important. It shows how hard a player/team is going to work to win that Lambardy Trophy. U gotta work hard, have good chemistry and be well prepared for the playoffs and the Finals. Winning the trophy takes lots of hard work. You gotta live up to the hype and expectations as well. Players without rings just show they never really elevated to the next level with their play/skills they have. Kobe led his team to the trophy because he really wanted it. You got to be hungry for it as well. As for the players u listed, I say that only 2/8 of them will win a trophy. Lebron will work hard to win a ring.

People put way to much on a ring. They are good, but not everything.

Karl Malone- Great, he's the greatest PF of all time.

Pete Maravich- Great

Ewing- Great

Wilkins- Great

John Stockton- Great, greatest PG of all time.

Charles Barkley- Great top 3 greatest PF's of all time.

Elgin Baylor- great

George Gervin- great

Grant Hill

Nash

Dirk

Kidd

rings mean something very very special

for instance people will more likely remember robert horry 7 rings than bob lanier, earl monroe, bob cousy, reggie miller tremendous career.

rings do mean something. because guys like steve kerr who won 5 derek fisher who's won 4 so far bruce bowen who just retired with three won't be forgotten anytime you talk about champs you will have to name those players.