#7 Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain (Los Angeles Lakers)
Jerry West who was drafted in 1960 spent his first decade in the NBA filled with heartbreak in the playoffs. By 1968, he made the finals five times and lost on each attempt to the Celtics. The seemingly immortal Celtics led by Bil Russell were just too much for West and the Lakers.
Wilt Chamberlain had managed to win a title in 1967 but was looking for a new home the following season. The combination of West and Chamberlain was a match made in heaven.
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They both excelled individually. Although neither won the regular season MVP, they were both almost guaranteed All-Stars.
In spite of West and Chamberlain's stellar performances, the Lakers still found it very hard in the playoffs. They reached the finals in 1969 and 1970 but lost on both occasions. This resulted in West losing in the finals seven times in one decade. West was named Finals MVP in 1969 making him the only player to win the award on a losing team.
Things didn't get any better in 1971 when they lost in the conference final to Milwaukee led by Lew Alcindor, but as the story goes, persistence pays off. West and Chamberlain made the finals yet again in 1972 and this time they got themselves that elusive title. They beat the New York Knicks in five games.
The duo played five seasons together and made the finals on four occasions.
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