No Guarantees

Paul Pierce, RayAllen and Kevin Garnett of the new-look Celtics each has a career scoringaverage of more than 20 points. In NBA history 16 teams have had three playersaverage more than 20 points in the same season. Fifteen of those teams reachedthe postseason, but not one won a championship. Here is how each of thosehigh-octane triumvirates fared. (The players are listed by scoring average thatseason.)

LOST IN NBA FINALS	 	 
Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagen, Clyde Lovellette	1959–60	Hawks
Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagen, Clyde Lovellette	1960–61	Hawks
Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain	1968–69	Lakers
LOST IN CONFERENCE FINALS	 	 
Sam Jones, John Havlicek, Bailey Howell	1966–67	Celtics
Dale Ellis, Tom Chambers, Xavier McDaniel	1986–87	SuperSonics
Tom Chambers, Eddie Johnson, Kevin Johnson	1988–89	Suns
ADVANCED TO SECOND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS	 	 
Alex English, Kiki Vandeweghe, Dan Issel	1982–83	Nuggets
Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway	1990–91	Warriors
LOST IN FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS	 	 
Jeff Mullins, Nate Thurmond, Rudy LaRusso	1968–69	Warriors
Chet Walker, Bob Love, Clem Haskins	1969–70	Bulls
Connie Hawkins, Dick Van Arsdale, Gail Goodrich	1969–70	Suns
Jeff Mullins, Cazzie Russell, Nate Thurmond	1971–72	Warriors
Alex English, Dan Issel, Kiki Vandeweghe	1981–82	Nuggets
Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Andrew Toney	1983–84	76ers
Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel, Tom Chambers	1987–88	SuperSonics
FAILED TO REACH PLAYOFFS	 	 
David Thompson, Alex English, Dan Issel	1980–81	Nuggets

PHOTO

NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Hardaway, Richmond and Mullin