Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: How rugged forwards define their success

By Ken Tavarez

NEW YORK - CIRCA 1970: Dave DeBusschere #22 of the New York Knicks looks on while there's a break in the action during an NBA basketball game circa 1970 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. DeBusschere played for the Knicks from 1968-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - CIRCA 1970: Dave DeBusschere #22 of the New York Knicks looks on while there's a break in the action during an NBA basketball game circa 1970 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. DeBusschere played for the Knicks from 1968-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, UNITED STATES: Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (L) watches New York Knicks’ center Charles Oakley (C) and Miami Heat center PJ Brown (R) go for a rebound in second period action of their game 12 April at the Miami Arena. The Knicks won 100-99. AFP PHOTO RHONA WISE (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images) /

The Oak Tree – Charles Oakley

For as great as Patrick Ewing was, the Knicks had a losing record in each of his first 3 seasons, winning 23, 24 and 38 games, respectively. Ewing’s first winning season was in 1988-89 when Charles Oakley joined the team.

That season the Knicks won 52 games. It was their best season since 1972-73, when they won their last championship. Oakley was an All-Star in the 1993-94 season, which was the Knicks’ first appearance in the Finals in 21 years. The Knicks went to the playoffs in all of Oakley’s ten seasons with the team. You now understand why Oakley feels under-appreciated by the franchise.

Mase – Anthony Mason

The other great ‘Rugged Knick’ from the 1990s was none other than Anthony Mason. He was a no-name journeyman player when he joined the Knicks in the 1991-92 season, which happened to also be Pat Riley’s first season as head coach.

Mason gave the Knicks that second tough guy that could play in the same lineup with Ewing and Oakley. In his 5 seasons with the team, the franchise made the playoffs every year. They won 50+ games in 4 of those 5 seasons and made the Finals in 1994. He was also one of the core players on the only 60-win team in franchise history.

Mason was one of the most feared players in the league—a great defender who could cover all three forward positions. Mason was also known for his handle, playing ‘point-forward’ before it was fashionable, You could say that he was a little ahead of his time.