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New York Knicks: Garden History – “Dollar” Bill Bradley

By Sam Friedman

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Former New York Knick Bill Bradley speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the Knicks game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on Friday, April 5 2013 in New York City. The Knicks honored their 1972-73 World Championship team during halftime of the game. The Knicks defeated the Bucks 101-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Former New York Knick Bill Bradley speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the Knicks game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on Friday, April 5 2013 in New York City. The Knicks honored their 1972-73 World Championship team during halftime of the game. The Knicks defeated the Bucks 101-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Bill Bradley was one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history, but there is so much more to his story then just being a basketball player. 

I’ve always thought that New York Knicks legend Bill Bradley had one of the more unique stories in NBA history. Yet, it doesn’t get talked about all too much.

Bradley, originally from Missouri, was not only an athletic phenom, but also an accomplished student. He received 95 scholarship offers to play in college, but eventually chose Princeton.

Bradley was one the most decorated college basketball players of his time. In 1965, he won the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award, and was named the AP College Player of the Year.

Bradley was heralded as the best player in the country. One, because he was really good at basketball. But more importantly: Bradley was a genius. For example, instead of going to the NBA Draft after he graduated, he went to Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship.

He played a year of European professional basketball while studying and serving as a reserve in the United States Air Force. It’s very confusing why people don’t talk about this guy more.

Bradley spent 10 years with the Knicks, winning two championships with the team. Wild to think the Knicks were good at any point.

This is where the story starts to get absurd. The year after retiring from the NBA, Bradley ran for the United States Senate—and he won!

Nowadays, every player thinks they can become an analyst when they retire. Bradley took it to the next level and became a prominent leader for the state of New Jersey.

He stayed in the senate for 20 years before leaving and going on to write seven non-fiction books. He now hosts a weekly radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio. He is a corporate director at Starbucks and he might just be the coolest guy of all time.

Bradley even ran for president through the Democratic party. He fell short, but it’s still impressive nonetheless.

Bradley probably has the least talked about story in the history of the NBA, besides the paid off referees in the Kings and Lakers series in 2002.

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If you’re a New York Knicks fan who’s feeling compelled to read up on more of the franchise’s history, you’re likely thinking what I’m thinking: I can’t believe I didn’t know any of this until right now.

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