Who are the greatest players in New York Knicks history? Is it Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Bernard King or Willis Reed at No. 1?
Mar 18, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks new president of basketball operations
Phil Jackson(middle) poses for a photo with former Knicks players
Walt Frazierand
Dick Barnettat a press conference at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Who is the greatest player in New York Knicks history? That question has been asked many times before, and if you ask four people, you might get four different answers.
Thus, the challenge has been accepted of determining who should be known as the No. 1 Knicks player of all-time.
In order to get to No. 1, the steps were traced through the Top 25 players in franchise history. They were not ranked solely based on talent, but instead valued through a number of factors.
Talent and production certainly come into play, as do their importance to the organization, their postseason resumes and their lasting legacy.
Not every player will be a household name, nor will the elder statesmen receive an automatic nod over their contemporaries. What every one of these 25 players has in common, however, is something significant.
Each of New York’s Top 25 all-time players has left a permanent mark on the organization.
Next: The Mercurial One
Honorable Mention: Stephon Marbury
Love him or hate him, Stephon Marbury deserves to be on this list. Not only was he the star of the New York Knicks for the better part of five seasons, but he may have unknowingly served as a—dare I say it—voice of reason
Marbury was the villain in the moment, but many of his complaints about Larry Brown, Mike D’Antoni and Isiah Thomas have been echoed by Knicks fans in the years since.
As a player, Marbury was one of the best at his position during his first two seasons with the team. Both as a scorer and a facilitator, he made life difficult for opponents with his relentless attack and vastly underrated facilitating.
When the media wasn’t tearing him to shreds, and his own organization wasn’t plotting his demise, Marbury was a star.
Unfortunately, the narrative of Marbury’s tenure has tainted his Knicks legacy. For all of the promise that his arrival possessed, New York only made one postseason appearance.
Now a legend in China, one can’t help but wonder what could’ve been if everyone had gotten along during the Knicks’ worst period of disfunction.
Next: The Winner
25. Jerry Lucas
On the all-time spectrum, Jerry Lucas is one of the most respected men in basketball history. Not only was he a seven-time All-Star in the NBA, but he was the first player to win at least one title at the NBA, collegiate and high school levels.
Lucas’ time with the New York Knicks was brief and not quite as individually glorious, but that final title came as a key member of the 1973 championship team.
Lucas was a monster during his first season with the Knicks, averaging 16.7 points, 13.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 51.2 percent shooting from the field. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Lucas is the only player in franchise history to average at least 16.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
During 16 appearances in the 1972 NBA Playoffs, he averaged an unfathomable 46.1 minutes played per game.
The following season, Lucas’ statistics declined and his value increased. He played a vital role in New York’s run to the 1973 NBA title, which is why he’s on this list.
The likes of Kenny Sears and Ray Williams could’ve found their way into the No. 25 spot, but Lucas earned this selection during the 1973 championship season.
Next: The One Who Signed When No One Would
You can complain all you’d like about Amar’e Stoudemire’s inability to remain healthy. You can criticize his big contract, reference his production and find reasons to be pessimistic.
The reality is this: Stoudemire single-handedly put the New York Knicks back on the map.
Stoudemire signed with the Knicks at a time when very few players were willing to look their way. His tenure was marred by injuries, but STAT led New York to a stunning turnaround in 2011-12.
With the same head coach and system, and virtually the same supporting cast, Stoudemire took New York from 29 wins in 2009-10 to 42 in his first season with the team.
During his four-and-a-half seasons with the team, STAT provided fans with a range of emotions. Through it all, he was an approachable professional who respected the name on the front of the jersey.
Statistically, Stoudemire’s 2010-11 campaign saw him become the first Knicks player to average at least 25.0 points per game since Patrick Ewing in 1990-91, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Next: The Culture Shock
23. Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler transformed the culture of the New York Knicks. Mike Woodson is obscenely underrated for doing the same, but Chandler helped the Knicks go from a run-and-gun team with no defense to one of the best defensive squads in the Eastern Conference.
The icing on the cake was the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012.
Chandler only spent three seasons with the Knicks, but his impact was immense. He won Defensive Player of the Year, made All-NBA and All-Defense, was an All-Star and led the league in field goal percentage.
More importantly, he facilitated the Knicks becoming relevant again.
In his first year with the team, 2011-12, he helped New York win a playoff game for the first time in over a decade. In his second, 2012-13, the Knicks won 54 games—its highest total since 1997.
Chandler’s tenure was brief, but in his first two seasons with the team, he changed the Knicks for the better.
Next: The Immediate Standout
22. Bill Cartwright
Bill Cartwright is most commonly recognized as a starter on three championship teams with the Chicago Bulls. Before he was playing with Michael Jordan, however, Cartwright starred for the New York Knicks.
Over the course of eight seasons, Cartwright established himself as one of the Top 25 players in franchise history.
Cartwright’s rookie season was something to remember. He made the All-Star Game in his first year in the NBA, and likely would’ve won Rookie of the Year if not for sharing his debut season with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
With five seasons above 15 points per game and two with upwards of 20, Cartwright was an offensive force for the Knicks.
The most impressive aspect of Cartwright’s tenure was his ability to maintain a remarkable level of efficiency. He shot 55.2 percent from the field during his time with the Knicks and made nearly 80 percent of his free throws.
At No. 10 on the Knicks’ all-time scoring list, Cartwright is still safe as one of the best scorers in franchise history.
Next: The Military Hero
21. Carl Braun
In terms of pure volume, the Top 4 scorers in New York Knicks aren’t very surprising. Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed and Allan Houston appear in that order, but the No. 5 player may come as a surprise.
More than 50 years after he played in his final game with the Knicks, Carl Braun is still one of New York’s Top 5 scorers.
Braun played with the Knicks from 1947 to 1961. He took two seasons off for military service in 1950-51 and 1951-52, respectively, which makes his Top 5 ranking all the more impressive.
In the season he returned, 1952-53, the Knicks made a third consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
As a member of the Knicks, Braun made five consecutive All-Star Game appearances. He was also named to the BAA Second Team in 1948 and the NBA Second Team in 1954, which is an accurate illustration of what he was: a pioneer.
Not many players have been more influential in franchise history than Braun.
Next: The Heart of the City
20. Anthony Mason
The late great Anthony Mason embodies what it means to be a member of the New York Knicks. He was a take no prisoners defender whose toughness and commitment to the team was close to unparalleled.
From now until eternity, Mason will live on as a Knicks icon.
Mason received most of his accolades after his Knicks years, but his place as a local legend is safe and secure. The 1995 Sixth Man of the Year was a true iron man who did a bit of everything on both ends of the floor.
That includes the 1993-94 campaign, when Mason helped New York reach the NBA Finals.
Mason’s true breakout season was 1995-96, when he led the league with 42.2 minutes played per game. That was his final year with the team, when he averaged 14.6 points on 56.3 percent shooting from the field, thus proving how dangerous a two-way player he truly was.
Mason will be missed and forever remembered.
Next: The Folk Hero
19. Larry Johnson
One play embodies everything that made Larry Johnson so special to the New York Knicks. That isn’t to say that his five seasons with the team were otherwise meaningless, but instead to highlight a legendary moment.
In Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals, Johnson hit a shot that anyone can visualize upon hearing just three words: four point play.
Johnson’s heroics in that moment played a critical role in getting the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals. Outside of that shot, his play, in general, was vital to New York’s shocking run.
Title or not, that’s tough to ignore.
He never reached his Charlotte Hornets level of play with the Knicks, but not many people hold that against him. Enduring recurring injuries, Johnson still trotted out onto the floor and gave it his all.
That toughness is what made him so endearing to Knicks fans.
Next: The Unique Talent
18. Micheal Ray Richardson
In terms of raw talent, Micheal Ray Richardson is one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history. He only spent four seasons with the team, but he was an All-Star in three of them.
Before the injuries caught up to him, there wasn’t much that he couldn’t do.
Richardson burst onto the scene in 1979-80, averaging 15.3 points, 10.1 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. He led the league in both assists and steals that season, and showed critics why New York drafted him at No. 4 overall.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, Richardson is the only player in NBA history to average at least 15.0 points, 10.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game.
That distinction alone puts him in rare enough company to be considered a Knicks legend. The fact that he maintained high-level production and made multiple All-Star Game appearances only strengthens his case.
One can only wonder what could’ve been if Richardson and Patrick Ewing had played together.
Next: The Original Dwyane Wade
17. Richie Guerin
In many ways, Richie Guerin was the original Dwyane Wade. He was a dynamic scorer who could take over games in virtually every way imaginable.
A six-time All-Star, Guerin was truly something special.
Guerin’s crown jewel of a season was 1961-62. He averaged 29.5 points, 6.9 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game, which solidified his place as one of the most complete and unstoppable forces in basketball.
With three All-NBA nods and ferocious competitive spirit, Guerin was one of the most respected players of his time.
Guerin was a true fan favorite. His tenacity on the court and personality off of it made him a personable figure, while his upbringing as a Bronx native made it even easier for New York fans to grow attached to him.
For true perspective of his individual greatness, Guerin had games of 57 points and 21 assists, respectively.
Next: The Vision
16. Mark Jackson
There haven’t been many facilitators who were better than Mark Jackson. That much was made clear during his rookie season, when he dished out 10.6 assists per game for the New York Knicks.
Between his court vision and his leadership, Jackson remains one of the most popular players in Knicks history.
Jackson, a local product of the St. John’s Red Storm, burst onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year. His 10.6 assists and 2.5 steals were remarkable numbers for any player, let alone a rookie, but that was only half of the story.
Jackson played seven of his 17 seasons with the Knicks, serving as a pacemaker and a tone-setter in New York.
He helped the team return to the playoffs, facilitating a jump from 24 wins to 38 in 1987-88. From there, he ran point for a number of postseason teams and played a major role in developing the Knicks’ identity.
At No. 4 all-time on the career assists list, Jackson doesn’t need many accolades to explain how great he was.
Next: The Iron Man
15. Harry Gallatin
Harry Gallatin was one of the true stars of the 1950s. He made seven All-Star Game appearances and led the New York Knicks to a significant measure of postseason success.
Gallatin’s overall numbers may not blow contemporary fans away, but he’s still No. 4 on the Knicks’ all-time rebounding list.
From 1951 to 1953, Gallatin led New York to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances. He failed to win a ring, but that string of consistent contention has been since unmatched by Knicks teams or players.
That alone puts him on this list.
Perhaps most significantly, Gallatin set an NBA record by playing in 682 consecutive games. 621 were as a member of the Knicks, which is a powerful claim to fame.
Tragically, Gallatin recently passed away. As his peers and fans have echoed, he will be dearly missed.
Next: The Roller Coaster
14. Latrell Sprewell
Latrell Sprewell is one of the most polarizing players in NBA history. He’s also a New York Knicks star who nearly etched his name into a Mount Rushmore in 1999.
In five seasons with the Knicks, the perennial roller coaster of emotions added up to Sprewell’s place in New York basketball history.
Sprewell was instrumental in the Knicks’ unforgettable run from the No. 8 seed to the NBA Finals in 1999. He was the team’s leading scorer during the postseason, averaging 20.4 points per game.
The short-handed Knicks ultimately fell in five games to the San Antonio Spurs, but Sprewell did enough to solidify his place on this list.
To date, that run to the NBA Finals is the most recent in Knicks history. The fact that Sprewell was the catalyst for it cannot be overstated.
He undoubtedly deserves his place on this list.
Next: The Reigning Star
13. Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony’s New York Knicks career is still in progress, which makes his placement a difficult one to determine. As polarizing a figure as he may be, he’s undoubtedly one of the 10 greatest Knicks of all-time.
The 2012-13 season alone earns him brownie points.
Anthony won the scoring title in 2012-13, and that’s only half of what made that season so special. He led New York to a record of 54-28, which was its highest win total since 1997.
It was rough in 2013-14 and 2014-15, but Anthony has more than enough time to improve his standing.
A championship would catapult Anthony up this list, sending him into the top spot conversation. It’ll take more than one title to get him to No. 1, but with New York yearning for its first title since 1973, Anthony has a glorious opportunity.
Even if he fails to bring a championship to the Knicks, Anthony is safe as one of the best in franchise history.
Next: The Spark Plug
12. John Starks
John Starks is the very definition of a blue collar player. He went undrafted in 1988, struggled to find playing time as a rookie, left the NBA, honed his skills, returned the following year, played all 82 the next and finally became a starter at the age of 26.
From there, Starks never looked back as one of the New York Knicks’ most beloved players.
In 1993-94, Starks averaged 19.0 points and made an All-Star Game appearance. He also helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals, which was more than 20 years in the making.
By all means and measures, Starks solidified his place in Knicks history with that campaign.
He continued to flourish as the resident gunner, doing everything from making buzzer-beaters to dunking over Michael Jordan. Through it all, he became a fan favorite who was heralded for his tenacity and passion for the game.
Like many others on this list, Starks’ legacy will forever live in Knicks history.
Next: The Leader
11. Charles Oakley
Not many players better embodied the identity of the 1990s New York Knicks than Charles Oakley. The 19-year NBA veteran spent every season from 1988-89 to 1997-98 with the Knicks.
Oakley’s numbers never blew people away, but he set the tone for everything that made New York a genuine contender.
Oakley commanded respect. More times than not, he received it. He was a powerful interior force who could dominate defensively, take over on the boards or flourish as a very underrated offensive playmaker.
In 1993-94, Oakley started all 82 regular season and 25 postseason games during New York’s first run to the NBA Finals since 1973.
1994 was also the season during which Oakley was selected to the All-Star Game and made the All-Defensive First Team. It was the signature year in one of the Knicks’ all-time great careers.
Oakley will never be forgotten by the New York faithful.
Next: Bigger Than the Contract
10. Allan Houston
Overpaid or otherwise, Allan Houston is one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history. He was an excellent shooter who played a major role on historically significant Knicks teams.
It’s easy to forget that Houston played more postseason minutes than any player during New York’s run to the 1999 NBA Finals.
Houston helped lead the Knicks to their most recent NBA Finals appearance, and that alone earns him a high ranking. He was also the star of the show in 1999-2000, when New York returned to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Houston led that team with 19.7 points per game on 48.3 percent shooting from the field and a mark of 43.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Overall, Houston provided a consistent and efficient scoring punch throughout his Knicks career. He may not have lived up to his contract, and injuries made him un-tradable, but Houston was a Knicks great when healthy.
Once again: overpaid or otherwise, Houston is one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history.
Next: The Unsung Hero
9. Dick Barnett
Dick Barnett had his No. 12 jersey retired by the New York Knicks in March of 1990. Only eight players have received that honor, which should tell you how important he is and was to the organization.
Acquired in 1965, Barnett became one of the true leaders of New York’s resurgence.
Barnett scored 9,442 points in nine seasons with the Knicks. That includes 1965-66, when he averaged a career-best 23.1 points per game on an efficient 46.9 percent shooting from the floor.
Four years later, Barnett played in all 82 regular season and 19 postseason games as New York won its first-ever NBA championship in 1970.
Barnett was the team’s No. 3 scorer in the regular season and the Knicks’ No. 2 in the 1970 NBA Playoffs. He averaged 18.6 points in the 1970 NBA Finals, including a huge 21 in Game 7.
Barnett was a respected veteran leader, an unsung hero and a true legend in Knicks history.
Next: The Facilitator
8. Dick McGuire
Dick McGuire was one of the original stars of the New York Knicks. He facilitated three runs to the NBA Finals and once held the league record for assists in a single season.
Today, McGuire’s No. 15 jersey is hanging from the rafters alongside Earl Monroe‘s.
McGuire’s numbers don’t hold up to today’s standards, and that’s a major reason why his accomplishments have been dismissed. The 1950s are generally viewed as a weak era in basketball, whether fair or foul.
With that being said, to downplay McGuire’s impact on the organization would be to ignore vital history.
McGuire helped New York become what it and Madison Square Garden are known as today: the Mecca of Basketball. He made the Knicks a perennial contender, thus building the allure of the basketball city.
New York hasn’t always lived up to the moniker of a basketball haven, but its McGuire-led success in the 1950s helped fuel that raging fire.
Next: The Hype Machine
7. Bill Bradley
Few players have ever received as much hype as Bill Bradley when the New York Knicks selected him with a territorial pick in 1965. The Princeton Tigers star was viewed by many as the player who would elevate New York to championship heights.
It took some time for that to happen, but in 1970, the hype was met by the ultimate reward.
Bradley helped New York win a pair of championships in 1970 and 1973, respectively. He was an All-Star in 1973 and served as a well-rounded player with a smooth shooting stroke.
For his efforts, as well as his stellar collegiate and international careers, Bradley made the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Today, Bradley’s No. 24 hangs from the rafters at Madison Square Garden. His lackluster rookie season has been forgotten and his contributions to New York’s championship runs have become immortalized in Knicks lore.
Not a bad result for a player who was prematurely labeled a bust.
Next: The Selfless Sacrifice
6. Earl Monroe
Earl Monroe, endearing known as Earl “The Pearl,” is a street ball legend. His flashy style of play won the hearts of fans across the country, providing young players with a crafty finisher to aspire to be.
Whether or not he’s recognized as such, Monroe is one of the most influential players in NBA history.
Monroe had his best seasons with the Baltimore Bullets, but he starred for the New York Knicks in the 1970s. He was a critical member of the 1973 championship team, sacrificing individual accolades for the glory of the team.
With he and Walt Frazier forming the Rolls Royce Backcourt, New York marched to its second and most recent title.
Monroe’s knees cut his career short, but that didn’t stop him from becoming a basketball legend. The Knicks retired his No. 15 jersey, and the Bullets did the same with his No. 10.
When you see the smooth and athletic scorers of today, know that they’ve been heavily influenced by Mr. Monroe.
Next: The Underrated Legend
Despite the fact that he’s one of the greatest players in franchise history, contemporary New York Knicks fans have a tendency to overlook Dave DeBusschere. The rest of the basketball community does, as well.
Underrated or otherwise, DeBusschere is a New York legend.
After beginning his career with the Detroit Pistons, DeBusschere made an immediate impact with the Knicks. New York won a championship in his first full season with the team, and that’s no coincidence.
DeBusschere and Willis Reed formed what might have been the most feared interior tandem in the NBA.
An eight-time All-Star with six All-Defensive Team nods and one All-NBA appearance, DeBusschere was a nightly double-double. He’d shut his matchup down, score when necessary and do all of the dirty work.
DeBusschere is a deserving member the Basketball Hall of Fame whose No. 22 jersey was retired by the Knicks in 1981.
He was a true defensive anchor for two championship teams.
Next: The Scoring Machine
4. Bernard King
Bouts with injuries cut Bernard King’s career short, but they couldn’t prevent him from becoming one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history. In just four seasons, King carved his face into New York’s Mount Rushmore.
A very strong case could be made that he’s the greatest scorer in franchise history.
King won the 1985 scoring title with a career-best average of 32.9 points per game. Impressively, he did this while shooting an absurd 53.0 percent from the field.
Those numbers are as impressive as they sound.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, King is joined by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to average at least 32.0 points on 53.0 percent shooting or better.
With a pair of All-NBA First Team nods during his Knicks career, it cannot be overstated how incredible King truly was.
Next: The Anchor
3. Patrick Ewing
From 1985 to 2000, Patrick Ewing was the New York Knicks. This isn’t to say that he was alone on the roster, but instead to acknowledge how important he was to the team.
Ewing embodied the Knicks’ grind-it-out style, all the while possessing the flash and finesse that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Ewing never won a championship, but he led New York to a pair of NBA Finals appearances. He also made 11 All-Star Game appearances, was selected to 10 All-NBA teams and overcame perennial snubs to receive three All-Defensive Team nods.
Most importantly, Ewing is the all-time leading scorer in Knicks history.
He may not have won it all, but Ewing made the Knicks a factor for more than a decade. He lived up to the hype, winning Rookie of the Year and leading New York to 13 consecutive postseason appearances.
Ewing isn’t No. 1, but he’s very close to it.
Next: The Postseason Hero
2. Walt Frazier
Walt Frazier is synonymous with two things, and rightfully so: defense and style. He dressed to impress, was stylin’ and profilin’ before Ric Flair and locked many a great scorer down from start-to-finish.
It doesn’t hurt that Frazier could pour in points and rack up assists at a moment’s notice.
Frazier ran point for New York’s only two championship teams, starring in 1970 and 1973. He made the All-Defensive First Team seven times, was All-NBA another six and finished with seven All-Star Game appearances to his name.
The true measure of Frazier’s greatness was in the postseason.
Willis Reed won Finals MVP, but Frazier’s 1970 NBA Finals ranks amongst the best of all-time. In the decisive Game 7—yes, the one where an injured Reed trots out—Frazier put up 36 points and 19 assists with some clutch heroics to boot.
That game embodied the story of Frazier’s career: whether he received the spotlight or not, he was going to shine.
Next: The MVP
1. Willis Reed
No player in New York Knicks history has the accolades of center Willis Reed. From postseason glory to individual recognition, Reed carved out a career as a player who was at his best when the stakes were at their highest.
In every sense of the word, Reed is a legend.
No. 19 won the NBA, All-Star Game and Finals MVP awards during his storied 1969-70 campaign. He was also named to the All-Defensive First Team and won another Finals MVP award in 1973.
To date, the Reed-led Knicks of 1970 and 1973 are the only championship teams in franchise history.
Reed isn’t as in the public eye as some other Knicks greats, but he’s as vital to the team’s history as any player has ever been. He was tough, dominant and one of the true powerhouses of his generation.
If not for Reed and his heroics, the Knicks may still be searching for their first NBA championship.
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