Knicks: Celebrating Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s game on the court

New York Knicks icon Walt Clyde Frazier celebrated his 76th birthday on Monday ahead of the team’s game against the Miami Heat. After a Hall Of Fame playing career, Frazier has become just as legendary in his broadcasting career with MSG. From his wide variety of colorful suits and blazers to his unique rhyming on the spot, Clyde’s impact on The Knicks organization spans over 50 years. For fans who never got to see Clyde take the court (Like myself), we’ve only ever seen Clyde the goofy broadcaster. We never got to see just how dominant he was with the ball in his hands.

Knicks: Walt Clyde Frazier’s clamps

Knicks fans always appreciate gritty, hardnosed defensive teams. The Knicks teams of the 1990s were one of the most popular teams in the league due to the tenacity and aggressiveness with how they played defense – Every game was a battle. Tom Thibodeau’s 2021 Knicks have certainly embodied some of that grind-it-out energy New York fans love to watch. This style of defensive basketball becoming synonymous with the Knicks started way back with Walt Frazier.

Frazier was known to be an incredibly aggressive defender who had tremendous instincts stealing the ball. Unfortunately, the NBA did not start recording steals until Frazier’s 7th season in the NBA, but we can see from some of his other accolades just how impactful of a defender he was.

Walt Frazier was made the NBA All-Defensive First Team 7 times, in a row! He’s the only player to make the first team in 7 consecutive seasons. His 7 NBA All-Defensive First Team selections are tied for 2nd all time. Here’s the list of players with at least 7:

• 9 TImes: Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton
• 8 Times: Scottie Pippen, Tim Duncan, Bobby Jones
• 7 Times: Dennis Rodman, Chris Paul, Walt Frazier

Elite company.

Knicks: Walt Frazier stuffed the stat sheet

Frazier was New York’s point guard for 10 straight seasons, and he was able to leave a mark on every part of the game. On top of having to keep Frazier from getting to the rim and both scoring and finding open teammates, Frazier was consistently one of the best rebounding guards in the league. He averaged no less than 6 rebounds per game in 8 straights seasons, (1968-1976). Big numbers from a guard.

It wasn’t just Clyde’s consistency in the regular season that led to a Hall Of Fame playing career, it was his ability to perform at a high level in big games. Frazier was part of the Knicks’ only two championships in 1970 and 1973, and he came up big when the team needed him most.

Arguably the greatest performance in NBA Finals Game 7 history: Walt Frazier led the Knicks to their first championship over the Lakers by dropping 36 points, dishing out 19 assists, and collecting 7 rebounds. Insane numbers that would break the internet today.

Walt Frazier accomplished one of the greatest achievements in professional American spots – He won a championship with The New York Knicks (Twice!). Let’s not forget how dominant of a basketball player he was. Happy birthday, Clyde.