NBA Finals History: Players with the most Finals appearances EVER

9 - Tom Heinsohn, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, LeBron James

Jerry West and Magic Johnson at the NBA All-Star Game 2018

Tommy Heinsohn is the only person to be involved in an official team capacity for all of the Celtics' 17 championships! He won 8 of them as a player, before coaching the Celtics in the 70s to 2 titles in 1974 and 1976. He moved on from this post as the Celtics' touchline announcer for their home games as a full-time gig in 1981, after dabbling with this post in the late '60s. He still commentates in home games at the ripe old age of 84.

Jerry West holds the unenviable record of most Finals losses, with his overall record standing at 1-8. He was unfortunate to be pitted against the Celtics dynasty for nearly the entirety of his prime, but he finally broke through to win the title in 1972. It's his silhouette that still adorns the NBA logo, and he has gone on to lead several franchises as their general manager, winning Executive of the Year awards in 1995 with the Lakers and in 2004 with the Grizzlies.

Magic Johnson was the fulcrum of the Showtime Lakers team that made 9 NBA Finals in 11 years from 1980 to 1991. He's a 5-time champion, all of which came in 8 years from 1980 to 1988. He's universally regarded as the greatest point guard to ever play the game. He's currently the Lakers' President of basketball operations, competing with West who is currently tenured with the Clippers.

LeBron James is one of the top 5 players to ever play the game. We are all witness to his sustained excellence through 15 years in the league, and it is difficult to think of a player who has played at such a high level for the length of their careers in the league.