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NY Knicks: Top 5 end of the bench fan favorites since 2010

By Andrew Pistone

Ron Baker, signed by Steve Mills (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Ron Baker, signed by Steve Mills (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Harrellson #55 of the New York Knicks in action against the Toronto Raptors on January 2, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Raptors defeated the Knicks 90-85. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

2. Knicks end-of-bench favorites: Josh Harrellson

Jorts! Even though it seemed like he was a Knick for a little while longer, Harrelson only played for the team during the 2011-2012 season*.

There’s no other place to start this post than to dive right into how he got his unique nickname. While at the University of Kentucky, legend has it Harrellson showed up to a UK football game wearing some form-hugging jean shorts. I’m guessing most of our readers are likely from the tri-state area, and aren’t too familiar with the look, but Harrellson (who’s originally from Missouri) swears that the look is not a fashion faux-pas.

Harrelson, who Mike D’Antoni once described as “dirt strong,” was known for his rebounding while playing for the Wildcats. He averaged nearly 9 boards per game in his junior season in Lexington. It turned out he left just in time, as the following season, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (relatively no name prospects, I know) joined the team, and it would’ve been very unlikely for Jorts to duplicate those numbers.

He was a fan favorite during a time when the Knicks were reasonably competitive, so he fits the traditional definition of this exercise—a player who only saw the light of day when the Knicks had the game well in hand on the plus side. Clocking in at a robust 6’10” and 275 pounds, without any sort of real athleticism or skill, Harrelson was one of the most fun players to see in action, albeit if it was only for a couple of minutes before fans headed down to Penn Station.

Currently, Harrellson plays for Osaka Evessa in Japan, undoubtedly bringing the same fervor and joy he brought to Knicks fans for that one season. No word yet on if Jorts are taking off in mainland Japan, but we’ll keep you posted.