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The 10 Biggest Ring Chasers in the NBA

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By @DSchultz89

The 10 Biggest Ring Chasers in the NBA

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Being labeled a "ring chaser" might be one of the best compliments you can receive in the NBA. Sure, there sometimes is a negative connotation attached that you are selling out a bigger challenge for a better chance at a championship, but the goal of every season in sports is to win the title. To me, being a ring chaser is a good thing; it says you care about titles more than money. Here are the 10 biggest ring chasers in the NBA.

10. Mike Miller, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mike Miller NBA Cleveland Cavaliers
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10. Mike Miller, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mike Miller NBA Cleveland Cavaliers
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Miller cracks the top 10 because he was clearly gunning for rings when he signed with the Miami Heat in 2010, where he got two. Now, he joins his pal LeBron James again, this time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Miller is at the tail-end of his career, and it makes total sense for him to join the Cavs and give it another run given that they will be one of the favorites to come out of the East this year.

9. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Chris Bosh NBA Miami Heat
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9. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Chris Bosh NBA Miami Heat
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Bosh surprised many people when he turned down the Houston Rockets and instead elected to come back to the Miami Heat this offseason. However, it makes total sense to me given how loaded the Western Conference is and the fact that he probably has a better chance to come out of the East with the Heat than he does with the Rockets now. Bosh will have to return to his Raptors form, which is certainly possible with more touches coming his way now.

8. Rashard Lewis, Free Agent

Rashard Lewis NBA Miami Heat
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8. Rashard Lewis, Free Agent

Rashard Lewis NBA Miami Heat
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While unsigned currently, Lewis will most likely sign with a team at some point this season. Lewis used to be a star in the league, but injuries and a massive contract decreased his value over time, which eventually led to him signing with the Heat in a limited role so that he could have the best chance possible at winning a championship before the end of his career.

7. Marco Belinelli, San Antonio Spurs

Marco Belinelli NBA San Antonio Spurs
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7. Marco Belinelli, San Antonio Spurs

Marco Belinelli NBA San Antonio Spurs
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Belinelli has been quoted numerous times saying he turned down more money last summer for the chance to win a ring with the San Antonio Spurs. Although he struggled during the playoffs, Belinelli's game fit in beautifully with the Spurs and he became an instant favorite in the locker room. His decision to sacrifice more money for an opportunity to win a title paid off, as the Spurs won the championship in 2014 in his first season there.

6. Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers

Steve Nash NBA Los Angeles Lakers
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6. Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers

Steve Nash NBA Los Angeles Lakers
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Speaking of sacrificing more money for the chance to win the championship, Steve Nash reportedly turned down a nice payday from the New York Knicks and instead joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012. The super-team Lakers unfortunately were devastated by injuries and were never given the chance to develop chemistry, and now it is just Nash and Kobe left. Nash is fighting to end his career on a positive note after battling health issues recently.

5. Boris Diaw, San Antonio Spurs

Boris Diaw NBA San Antonio Spurs
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5. Boris Diaw, San Antonio Spurs

Boris Diaw NBA San Antonio Spurs
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Diaw almost ran himself out of the NBA due to his weight ballooning during his time with the Charlotte Bobcats. It got so bad that the Bobcats (now Hornets) cut him. The San Antonio Spurs picked him up, and Gregg Popovich whipped Diaw into shape and motivated him to work his tail off due to the Spurs' winning culture. The results were magnificent for the Spurs, as Diaw has become a key contributor to the team and was huge in the 2014 NBA Finals.

4. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Kevin Love NBA Cleveland Cavaliers
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4. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Kevin Love NBA Cleveland Cavaliers
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There is a new trend that has taken place in the NBA over the last few years where if a player is unhappy with their team, they ask to be traded right before the last year of their contract kicks in so they can give the organization a chance to get the best possible value they can back in return. Love did this over the offseason, and it worked out well as he will finally have a real chance at a championship this year.

3. Ray Allen, Free Agent

Ray Allen NBA Miami Heat
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3. Ray Allen, Free Agent

Ray Allen NBA Miami Heat
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Although it is still unclear whether or not Ray Allen will forgo retirement, if he does he will most likely join the Cleveland Cavaliers. Allen left the Boston Celtics in 2012, much to the displeasure of teammates Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Allen won two rings with LeBron James and the Miami Heat, and all signs point to him going to Cleveland should he decide he still wants to play for another crack at a ring.

2. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets

Dwight Howard NBA Houston Rockets
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2. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets

Dwight Howard NBA Houston Rockets
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Howard's exit from the Orlando Magic was because he wanted to be secure with his future and opportunities to win multiple championships. This departure was ugly, and his following one from the Los Angeles Lakers after his one disappointing season with them was not much better. His reputation has taken a hit, but he went to the Houston Rockets because he felt like they could win championships. Now he has to win one.

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James NBA Cleveland Cavaliers
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1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James NBA Cleveland Cavaliers
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LeBron James left Cleveland in 2010 for the Miami Heat to win titles with his buddies Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He won two there before deciding to come back home this past summer because of the collection of young talent the Cavs acquired. The opportunity to come back to Cleveland was too good to pass up, and the chance to play with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love provides James with the best supporting cast he has ever had.

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