Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Top five centers in franchise history

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK - 1993: Patrick Ewing #33 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game played circa 1993 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK - 1993: Patrick Ewing #33 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game played circa 1993 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – 1967: Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics rebounds against Walt Bellamy #8 of the New York Knicks during a game played in 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1967 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON – 1967: Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics rebounds against Walt Bellamy #8 of the New York Knicks during a game played in 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1967 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Walt Bellamy

The 1960s featured the Willis Reed era for the New York Knicks, but other quality players were part of the mix among the original rosters, including Walt Bellamy, the No. 1 overall pick of the 1969 NBA Draft and an eventual member of the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bellamy was dynamic for the old Chicago Packers, Zephyers and the Baltimore Bullets, with four seasons of at least 24 points and 14 rebounds. This led to four consecutive appearances in the NBA All-Star game, before a move to the Knicks in the 1965-66 season.

Like the next player on the list, Bellamy only spent parts of three seasons with the Knicks, but made the most of them, with dynamic performances for an organization that steadily rose in the NBA.

Bellamy averaged 18.9 points and 13.3 rebounds per game in 268 appearances, along with 19.3 points and 16.2 rebounds in 10 playoff games for New York.

Injuries did not hamper Bellamy, either, who provided a steady presence for the Knicks, as they boasted a roster of Reed, Dick Barnett, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley and Dick Van Arsdale at one point.

Bellamy had a productive career on solid Knicks teams. It may be lost in franchise history, but he was once at the top of his game at Madison Square Garden.