Carmelo Anthony and 7 Stars Who Will Win an NBA Title Before LeBron James

The question is still when will LeBron James reach the promise land and win a NBA title?

Well I don't have a crystal ball, but Carmelo Anthony and a host of other players are more likely to win a NBA title before King James.

LeBron will eventually win a championship—just not in the next few years.

This list is not just compiled of first timers; it also has some vets who have NBA championships under their belts already.

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony has been on a tear over the past month, propelling the Knicks into the playoffs. It might be Anthony's time to shine under the big lights as the playoffs roll in.

Not only does he want to make it out the first round for the second time in his seven-year career, but also win a NBA championship. 

Melo has already won every other big championship from college basketball to Olympic Gold—the only thing left is a NBA title. 

This is very feasible with the Knicks looking better and better with every game under Mike Woodson.

The Knicks have the potential to make a deep playoff run, with Amar'e Stoudemire healthy again and the bench producing big numbers.

Let us not forget that they have a defending champion in Tyson Chandler on the team, as well.

This year might be a year to remember for Anthony.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant already had his eye on some NBA hardware from the three-point contest this year and looks to add some more.

Durant is a front-runner for MVP this season so he also has to be in the conversation for a NBA title, as well.

Durant has been on a mission all year to put the city of Oklahoma on his back and win a NBA title for the Thunder.

So far, he's halfway there with the season winding down and the Thunder battling for a No.1 seed with the San Antonio Spurs.

After losing to the Dallas Mavericks last year in the Western conference finals, believe that Durant and Russel Westbrook still have a bitter taste in their mouth.

Derrick Rose

The reigning MVP Derrick Rose hasn't had the season he wanted, after a nagging groin injury has left him sidelined.

With Rose out, the Chicago Bulls picked up the slack and secured a No.1 seed, making the path to the NBA finals a little easier.

Rose finally has that second guard that the Bulls have been missing in Richard Hamilton and key role players in C.J. Watson and John Lucas.

The pieces are finally aligned for Rose to bring a championship to the Windy City. The last time this happened a guy by the name of Michael Jordan was playing.

Kobe Bryant

You really cant have NBA title talk without Kobe Bryant.

Bryant has five rings, so he's automatically in the conversation and after Sunday's performance it is that time again.

Bryant looked like he was in playoff form on Sunday as he brought the Los Angles Lakers back from a 18-point deficit. If you want to win in the West, you have to go through the Staples Center and face the Black Mamba.

No matter what's going on with the Lakers, you can never count them out with No. 24 leading the way.

If Kobe can keep this up, he will be hoisting his sixth NBA title and be mentioned in the same sentence with Michael Jordan.

Tim Duncan

The future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan is quietly on his way to another NBA title.

Age really doesn't matter in San Antonio with a team full of veterans and a few young guys buying into the system. Gregg Popovich is doing something right with the Spurs as they sit at No. 1 in the West for the second year in a row.

After being embarrassed by the Memphis Grizzlies last year in the first round, the Spurs will be ready for revenge.

Tim Duncan is also no stranger to NBA titles since he already has four championships under his belt, five would just solidify him as one of the top big man to play the game. 

Rajon Rondo

The Big Three is always discussed, but what about the one guy who is the glue to the team?

Rajon Rondo is the floor general for the Boston Celtics who is capable of putting up a triple-double any game.

As the window closes on The Big Three's time in the league, Rondo would love to capitalize on that. One ring should just make the Celtics team a little more hungry to go out and get another one.

The Celtics have been a streaky team all season, but have hit their groove right after the All-Star break and look like a top contender coming out of the East. 

Dirk Nowitzki

Never count out the defending champs out with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way.

Last year, no one even imagined the Dallas Mavericks would be in the championship, much less win an NBA title. The Mavs have the ability to beat any West team in a seven-game series to compete for back-to-back titles.

The long-distance shooter Nowitzki is known to get hot at this time and could even carry his team back to the glory of last summer.