LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are going to finish South of .500. However, this is not the first time the King has been on a losing team. He was on one in Cleveland when he came out of high school to the Cavs. Playing on only winners for your entire career isn't that common. Taj Gibson of the Timberwolves, in fact, has his run at risk this season as Minnesota is sub-.500 with time running out. Tony Parker is in the same situation in Charlotte as Gibson.
So as of now it seems like the only NBA players with 10-plus years of NBA experience without a single losing year are…
1.James Harden (10 seasons)
Winning percentage: 64.8%
A super-duper star of the highest order, James Harden has won with the Thunder and with the Rockets. The reigning NBA MVP and a seven-time All-Star, Harden lights it up virtually every night.
2.Danny Green (10 seasons)
Winning percentage: 72.1%
Danny Green played one year in Cleveland and spent time with three teams in the then-D League and signed with a team in Greece before sticking with San Antonio in 2011. Green stayed with the Spurs 2018, when he became a member of the Toronto Raptors. Another second-round pick who has had a long career. Green was also a member of the 2014 champion Spurs.
3.Patrick Mills (10 seasons)
Winning percentage: 69.2%
Patrick Mills continues to be a strong role player on the San Antonio Spurs. He started in Portland and after a couple seasons went to Popovich-land. Mills is a second-round pick who made good. A member of the 2014 NBA championship team.
4.Julius Erving (11 seasons)
Winning percentage: 67.3%
The great Dr. J. How about a player who never had a losing season in two leagues. Julius Erving won in the ABA and then won in the NBA. Ervin played a different game than most anyone. He was magical with the ball, able to soar.
5.Magic Johnson (13 seasons)
Winning percentage: 74.0%
Is it any surprise Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are tied with 13 winning seasons without a losing one, apiece? Magic Johnson was the maestro to the Lakers' Showtime years. A five-time NBA champ and three-time Finals MVP.
6.Bill Russell (13 seasons)
Winning percentage: 71.7%
A legend among legends in the league. All Bill Russell did was win, games, championships and honors. An absolute great. Arguably the biggest defensive force in basketball history. Russell is an 11-time champion, five-time MVP and four-time rebounding champ.
7.Manu Ginobili (16 seasons)
Winning percentage: 72.1%
See Duncan, Tim. Manu Ginobili is a four-time NBA champion and two-time All-Star. Mr. Euro Step.
8.Tim Duncan (19 seasons)
Winning percentage: 71.9%
He won quietly and with a lot of class. Tim Duncan is the centerpiece of the Spurs, who are arguably the best team over the last 20 seasons. Duncan retired as a five-time champ, three-time Finals MVP and two-time league MVP.
9.Karl Malone (19 seasons)
Winning percentage: 68.8%
The Mailman delivered a lot of victories and points. However, John Stockton and Karl Malone never delivered a championship to Utah. A two-time MVP and 14-time All-Star, Malone finished averaging 25.0 ppg.
10.Larry Bird (13 seasons)
Winning percentage: 73.6%
The Boston Celtcs' great proves 13 is far from an unlucky number. Larry Bird was a three-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and three-time league MVP. One of the great draft picks of all-time, grabbed as a junior eligible by the Celtics.
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