Daily Knicks
Fansided

NY Knicks: Top 5 bench fan favorites from 2000-2009

By Andrew Pistone

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 3: Frank Williams #30 of the New York Knicks moves the ball during the game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 3, 2003 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Sonics won 95-87. 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. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)
SEATTLE - DECEMBER 3: Frank Williams #30 of the New York Knicks moves the ball during the game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 3, 2003 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Sonics won 95-87. 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. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images) /
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:BEIJING, CHINA – MARCH 30: (L-R) Sun Mingming, Li Xuelin, Randolph Morris and Stephon Marbury of the Beijing Ducks celebrates after winning Game 5 the 2012 CBA Championship Finals against the Guangdong Southern Tigers at the MasterCard Center on March 30, 2012 in Beijing,China. (Photo by Gu Zhichao/Sports Illustrated China/Getty Images) /

2. Knicks end-of-bench favorites: Randolph Morris

Randolph Morris’ arrival to New York was one of the most unique player transactions not only in franchise history, but perhaps in league history.

Morris played for the Kentucky Wildcats from 2004 to 2007, averaging an impressive 16.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in his final season with the team. In the eyes of some, Morris is one of the most underrated players in the history of the program. He was college teammates with established NBA players, such as Rajon Rondo and well traveled sharpshooter Jodie Meeks. These were the Tubby Smith years, just before John Calipari turned the school into a top NBA prospect factory.

Literally five days after the Wildcats’ season ended in the NCAA tournament in the spring of 2007, Morris was free to sign with any NBA team—and who was waiting at his doorstep? None other than Isiah Thomas.

If you read the fine print of the NBA collective bargaining agreement back in 2007 (and I know most of you did!), it allowed for Morris to retain both collegiate eligibility at the University of Kentucky, and free agent status as an NBA player.

"“We said all along that in terms of building this team we would have to find unconventional ways to try and find talent and get out and beat the bushes,” said Isiah Thomas, the Knicks’ coach and director of basketball operations at the time (via ESPN). “This is a very unique situation and I don’t know if there has been something similar to this. The rules allowed it, and here we are.”"

Although he only was with New York for a total of 23 games, it cannot be underscored enough that Morris could literally not wait one week to sit on the bench for a Knicks team that finished 23-59 that season. It’s that type of dedication that is rewarded with a high ranking on this list.