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New York Knicks NBA Draft History: 1991

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK CITY - 1991: Greg Anthony #2 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait circa 1991 at 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY - 1991: Greg Anthony #2 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait circa 1991 at 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The 1991 NBA Draft placed another point guard in the New York Knicks hands.

Off consecutive disappointing draft classes, the New York Knicks entered 1991 with one pick, albeit the 12th selection of the first round. It marked their highest since 1986, when Kenny “Sky” Walker went fifth overall.

The 1990-91 Knicks finished 39-43 and made the postseason, losing to the eventual champion Chicago Bulls in three games, when the first round of the playoffs was shortened.

The core was starting to build, however, with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and John Starks around. All became contributors towards the teams that made the postseason throughout the ’90s, including the 1994 NBA Finals.

Who joined them for the ride in 1991, though? With one draft pick, the Knicks selected:

Slash Line (with Knicks): .400/.290/.738
Career Averages (with Knicks): 6.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 0.4 3PM

Those Runnin’ Rebels teams of the 1990s were not without a point guard. That’s where Greg Anthony entered the mix, becoming known for for his 12.6 points and 6.9 assists per game in four collegiate seasons.

Along with a title in 1990-91, it raised Anthony’s profile and made him what would be a lottery pick in the current NBA, at 12th overall.

The Knicks hit the point guard prospect market heavily in the ’90s, with Mark Jackson and Rod Strickland. They also acquired Maurice Cheeks via trade, so Anthony was the latest to enter the fray.

The UNLV product entered the season as Jackson’s backup after Cheeks departed in the offseason. He only found one start, as Jackson started the other 81 on a 51-31 team that ran into Michael Jordan‘s Bulls again.

Consistent playing time accompanied Anthony, despite shooting 37 percent for 5.5 points and 3.8 assists. He improved in Year Two, though, and found more starting opportunities then and the following season, which contributed towards New York’s NBA Finals series.

Anthony continued as the backup point guard through 1994-95, but saw his playing time dip amid an injury and improved work from behind the arc.

By 1995-96, Anthony was picked by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the NBA Expansion Draft as the second overall pick. He finally received a full-time starting gig and had 14 points and 6.9 assists, but those numbers tailed off the next season and by that summer, Vancouver let him go.

Anthony played through 2002, featuring stints with the Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Other than 35 starts for Chicago, it was almost exclusively as a reserve.

While not a career starter, Anthony found long-term value as a reserve. It took him from the Knicks to the Grizzlies, before bouncing around various destinations.

Next. 25 greatest players in NYK history. dark

The next New York Knicks draft retrospective will look at the 1992 class, which they had just one pick in for another year.

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