Daily Knicks
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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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SPRINGFIELD, MA – OCTOBER 13 : Inductee Bob McAdoo speaks during the 2000 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on October 13, 2000. 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 2000 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA – OCTOBER 13 : Inductee Bob McAdoo speaks during the 2000 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on October 13, 2000. 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 2000 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Bob McAdoo

Bob McAdoo was the rare player to have Hall of Fame skills and play on seven teams, which began with the Buffalo Braves from 1973-76, continued with the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. He won titles along the way, but long after the prime years.

McAdoo joined the Knicks in a 1976-77 season trade, with Tom McMillen, for John Gianelli, a multi-year starter at center. They picked up a player who averaged over 30 points per game in three consecutive seasons for Buffalo, each of which resulted in an NBA All-Star game appearance.

The success continued in New York. While McAdoo did not reach 30 points per game, he averaged 26.7 points, 12 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in parts of three seasons.

Injuries started to follow McAdoo here, as he missed a chunk of the 1978-79 season, before a trade to the Celtics, and saw a quick decline in his late 20s and early 30s.

The Knicks received McAdoo’s final standout years, before he became a championship-winning role player in the 1980s and entered the Hall of Fame in 2000. This stint was short but effective and put him among the top centers in franchise history.