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What do Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, Reggie Miller, Shawn Kemp, John Starks, John Stock and Karl Malone have in common? Just one thing, they were all beaten by Michael Jordan on their quest for that NBA Championship Ring. Lucky for Payton, also known as the Glove, and Zo Mourning, they teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade to obtain their first NBA ring – as role players. Now that’s an ultimate sacrifice.

Sir Charles Barkley, as he was widely known, was just recently inducted to the Hall of Fame together with Dominique, The Human Highlight Film, Wilkins and Joe Dumars last week. Sir Charles had the chance of winning the title during the 1992-1993 season, where he was named MVP, and his Phoenix Suns having the best record and home court advantage all throughout the playoffs. But His Airness had other plans. He wanted to have his third championship and led the Bulls to the title in six games.

Ewing and Starks spent most of his career with the New York Knicks, and in more the one occasion, faced the Bulls in the playoffs. Jordan had a number of career games at the Madison Square Garden highlighting his heralded rivalry with the Knicks. Chicago was to New York the most annoying hindrance to their NBA championship dream as Detroit was to Chicago. The Bulls, under the leadership of Michael Jordan, were frustrated by the Pistons three straight times during three straight Eastern Conference Finals. Chicago, however, was able to eliminate the Piston ghost by sweeping them during the 1991 Playoffs en route to their first title. New York, on the other hand, failed to advance to the NBA Finals each time they met the Jordan-led Bulls. They had the chance to claim NBA Supremacy during the 1994 NBA Finals, where they beat the Jordan-less Bulls in the second round. They were just beaten by a Hakeem Olajuwon follow-up during the last seconds in overtime in Game Seven of their series against the Houston Rockets. As Jordan used to say when asked about the championship chances of his best friend Ewing, “He had his chance while I was away.”

After retiring for one and a half season, Jordan led the Bulls to a brilliant record-setting 72 win season and their fourth title, this time at the expense of Payton, Kemp and Seattle Supersonics. Jordan romped to win the title in six games.

Mourning, like Ewing, also faced Jordan and the Bulls every time they advance in the playoffs, this time during Jordan’s second 3-peat. Mourning and the Heat were swept by the Bulls during their first round encounter in 1996. Mourning’s biggest chance at the title was when his Heat reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997. They lost however to the Bulls in five games.

Reggie Miller had an awesome 1997-1998 season, leading his Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. They pushed the Bulls to the limit, extending the series to a decisive seventh game. Jordan made a beautiful pass to Luc Longley who was waiting at the baseline for the winning jump shot and the trip to their sixth NBA Finals.

Malone and Stockton had two cracks at the Larry O’Brien trophy during their back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. They were defeated by the Bulls in six games for both series. Malone even won the MVP honors in 1997. Jordan was at his best once again in a crucial game five of the 1997 Finals. Despite being hit by a stomach virus, Jordan shrugged off the pain and hit a crucial three pointer in the dying seconds to lead the Bulls to the win and the 3-2 edge in the Finals. Jordan scored 38 points in that game where he appeared to be in serious pain. He could barely walk to the side line. His will just powered him to do his usual heroics in the court.

Jordan ended his Chicago Bull career in a memorable fashion. His Bulls were down by three in the final seconds against Utah in game six of the 1998 NBA Finals. Jordan made a lay-up, stole the ball away from Malone that staged the classic jump shot over Bryon Russell for his sixth championship ring, ending the hopes of Malone and Stockton for that ultimate NBA dream. Stockton never went to the NBA Finals after that. Malone had another chance in 2004 when he teamed up with Payton, O’Neal and Kobe Bryant donning the L.A. Laker Jersey this time. They were, however, beaten by the Detroit Pistons in five games. (pics courtesy of nba.com)