NBA Power Rankings: Shaq and the 10 Most Blatant Ring-Chasers in NBA History

Shaquille O'Neal is a champion.  Apparently, he wants to keep being a champion as his career ends. Last summer, Shaquille decided to sign deal with the Boston Celtics.  It was obvious his individual success would take a hit.  Regardless, the goal of this move was much greater.

It is not uncommon to see NBA players make significant efforts to land on a championship caliber team towards the end of their career.  Some players force trades, others sign cheap contracts and some even come out of retirement to sign those contracts.

For these players, these moves are strictly only to get a championship ring.  These players are no longer looking for individual success and significant playing time.  They are just looking to provide some of what was once an incredible talent to a team they think could go "over the hump" with their services.

Without further introduction, here are the top 10 ring-chasers in NBA history. 

10. Ron Artest

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the court against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

The latest championship victor whose place on the championship team was a pure result of a player chasing an NBA championship ring is Ron Artest.  The Los Angeles Lakers have been a popular team for aging players to chase a ring with, but not all have been successful.

Ron Artest met his goal in his first year as a Laker when they repeated as champions in 2010.  He might not have his ring anymore after selling it for charity, but he is an NBA champion nonetheless.

9. Mitch Richmond

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30 Nov 2001: Portrait of guard Mitch Richmond #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game against the Seattle SuperSonics at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Lakers defeated the SuperSonics 107-92. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/Getty Images

Mitch Richmond is a perfect example of an aging player looking for glory.  In 2001, Richmond decided to sign as a free agent with (again) the Los Angeles Lakers in hopes of getting an NBA championship next to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.

Mitch went from being one of the league's most prolific scorers to a garbage time player, scoring just over four points per game.  In the playoffs, he hardly ever saw the floor.  Whether his contributions were part of the team's success is debatable, but he finally got his ring in 2002.  

8. Kevin Willis

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LOS ANGELES - MAY 15: Karl Malone #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Willis #42 of the San Antonio Spurs during Game six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 15, 2004 in Los Angeles, California.

One of the oldest players to ever suit up for a basketball game, Willis once again gave it a go in 2003 with the San Antonio Spurs in hopes of an NBA Championship.

Similarly to other players on this list, Willis' contributions were sparse and hardly influential.  After averaging just about 11 minutes per contest, Willis helped the Spurs win the 2003 NBA Championship.

7. Alonzo Mourning

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 27: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Miami Heat dunks against the Charlotte Bobcats at American Airlines Arena November 27, 2007 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this pho

After surviving a life threatening kidney disease that forced early retirement, Alonzo Mourning made his way back to the NBA court.  In 2005, Mourning signed with the Miami Heat, joining forces with Dwayne Wade and former rival Shaquille O'Neal.

His contributions to the Heat allowed for the team to have a strong defensive presence in the low block at all times.  The combination of O'Neal and Mourning became one of the best center pairs in the league's history.

After an emotional series against the Dallas Mavericks, Mourning got his well deserved championship ring in 2006. 

6. Charles Barkley

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19 Apr 2000: Forward Charles Barkley #4 of the Houston Rockets watches the action from the scorers table during his final NBA game at the Houston Summit in Houston, Texas. The Grizzlies won the game 96-92. Mandatory Credit: George Wong/ALLSPORT

So far, these have only been stories about success.  For ring-chasers, success is not always met.  That is the case of Charles Barkley, one of the best players in NBA history to never win a championship ring.

In 1996, Barkley was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him to the Houston Rockets, where he reunited with Hakeem Olajuwon.  While he posted great numbers in Houston, the team's playoff success was limited.  Barkley saw his two championship runs cut short by the Utah Jazz in 1997 and 1998.

5. Michael Finley

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DALLAS - APRIL 25: Forward Michael Finley #4 of the San Antonio Spurs during play against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2009 in Dallas, Texa

Michael Finley did what not many players in NBA history have attempted.  He went ring-chasing to an in-state rival team.  Finley's career in Dallas was one of the best the team has ever seen, but he made the decision to end his career a few miles away in San Antonio.

Finley's production was limited by constrained minutes from day one.  His productivity was just not at the level it once was.  Towards the end, he hardly saw the floor for more than 10 or 15 minutes per contest. Regardless, he did win the NBA championship he wanted.

As if that wasn't enough, Finley once again went ring-chasing, but this time with the Boston Celtics, where his goal was not met.

4. Chris Webber

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - MAY 31: (L-R) Chris Webber #84 and Rasheed Wallace #36 of the Detroit Pistons on court late in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn

Chris Webber considered retirement a few times before coming back for a championship run with the Detroit Pistons in 2007.  Many considered the big man to be a huge plus for a Detroit team poised to make another championship run.  That was not the case.

Webber did help the Pistons reach the playoffs and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, but his championship run was cut by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Chris did try to suit up once again for the following season with Golden State, although that move can hardly be considered ring-chasing.

3. Karl Malone

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 10: Karl Malone #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter of game three of the 2004 NBA Finals June 10, 2004 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. N

In 2004, Karl Malone joined the Los Angeles Lakers, along with Gary Payton, to create one of the best super-friends teams the league has seen in a while.  After joining forces with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers were once again a championship contending team.

Everything went well for most of the season, although it was clearly an adjustment for Malone to be the third or fourth option offensively.  The team reached the NBA Finals that year, where they were ousted by the Detroit Pistons.

Although Karl Malone was unable to win a championship in his career, he did make the best of efforts to do so in joining the Lakers in his last year.  

2. Gary Payton

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MIAMI - FEBRUARY 01: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat puts his arm around Gary Payton #20 late in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena February 1, 2007 in Miami, Florida.The Heat defeated the Cavaliers, 92-89. NOT

Gary Payton will one day be inducted in the Hall of Fame as one of the best point guards the league has ever seen.  In his prime years, Payton was a defensive and offensive force.  He carried his team to regular season success and put himself and his team in contention for an NBA championship several times.  This was not enough to reach the final goal.

After Payton's prime years were done, only one goal remained, an NBA championship.  In 2004, Payton joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where he had the chance to play with three other all-stars in Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O,Neal and Karl Malone.  That still was not enough to reach the final goal.

In 2006, Gary Payton accepted a reserve role with the Miami Heat.  Finally in this year, Payton was able to emerge as an NBA champion after the Heat beat the Mavericks in the 2006 finals.

1. Shaquille O'Neal

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 07: Shaquille O'Neal #36 of the Boston Celtics heads for the basket as Andrea Bargnani #7 of the Toronto Raptors defends on January 7, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

Shaquille O'Neal was won four NBA championships, the latter being with a Miami Heat team featuring Dwayne Wade and former all-stars Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton.

One could say O'Neal's career has been a complete success, but season after season, it seems as if O'Neal is still fiercely looking for yet another ring.  He forced a trade to the Phoenix Suns in the 2007-2008 season, looking to bring the Suns their first NBA championship next to MVP Steve Nash and all-star Stoudemire.  That did not work.

After the Phoenix experiment failed in two seasons, he decided to force yet another trade, this time to Cleveland to play alongside LeBron James.  That did not work either.

Most recently, Shaquille O'Neal signed a deal with the Boston Celtics.  Although he has not played many games, it seems as if Boston will once again be contending for another NBA championship, making O'Neal the fiercest ring-chaser in NBA history.