As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the
game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that
players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have
decided to defy those odds.
The New York Knickerbockers entered the NBA in 1946. The Knicks
have a complicated legacy. They were once one of the NBA’s premier
franchises and are No. 4 in NBA history in victories behind the Boston
Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite playing in the bright lights of New York City and what some
consider the most famed arena (Madison Square Garden), the Knicks'
biggest hurdle has been playing in the same division as the Celtics, and
to a lesser extent, the 76ers. The Knicks won two NBA titles in four
years, beating the Lakers in 1970 and again in 1973, both under Hall
of Fame head coach Red Holzman.
The Knicks reached two more NBA Finals in the 1990s, one under Hall
of Fame coach Pat Riley and another under Jeff Van Gundy. The Knicks
reached the NBA Finals in 1994, falling to the Houston Rockets, and
again in a strike-shortened 1999 season, losing to the San Antonio Spurs.
Since 2000, however, the franchise has become a punchline, just three
playoff appearances. Despite the lack of success and constant rebuilding,
the Knicks still garner much national attention.
Today, I put together a Knicks Dream Team. There are some rigid criteria
in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the
Nets for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free agency
era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals
don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-
NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going
to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Knicks during a season of being a championship contender
does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Knicks
during a bad season, and there have been many recently, is no deterrent to
getting a spot on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level
performers get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless
basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The
starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the
rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just
tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove.
Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do
I take off the list at that position?”
Starting lineup
Point guard: Walt Frazier
Frazier was known for his iconic sense of style off the court that also
translated on the court. Frazier, who was nicknamed “Clyde,” guided the
Knicks to two NBA championships, one in 1970 and another in 1973.
In 1970s’ championship victory, in Game 7, Frazier scored astounding
36 points, 19 assists and seven rebounds.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Frazier was a seven-time All-Star,
six-time All NBA (four as a first-teamer), and seven-time NBA All
Defensive first team. In a Knicks uniform, Frazier averaged 19.3 points,
6.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.0 steals.
Shooting guard: Earl “The Pearl” Monroe
Monroe was given the nicknames “Black Jesus” and “Earl the Pearl.”
He was the perfect blend of basketball and showmanship. Monroe and
Frazier formed one of the best backcourt tandems in NBA history.
Though a case could be made for Allan Houston to be the starter, one
cannot ignore Monroe's Hall of Fame status and the fact that he helped
the Knicks win the 1973 NBA championship.
During his Hall of Fame career, Monroe was a four-time All-Star, all
NBA first team in 1969, and NBA Rookie of the Year in 1968. Monroe
spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Bullets before becoming
a Knick. His career was cut short with injuries but during his time with
the franchise, Monroe averaged 16.2 points per game.
Small forward: Carmelo Anthony
Bernard King would be the choice for many but his career was cut short
because of injury and Anthony had a more extended body of work.
Though the Knicks struggled as a team during Anthony's tenure, he is
the most accomplished small forward in franchise history. Anthony, who
is now a Portland Trailblazer, has been a prolific scorer throughout his
career with crafty offensive moves.
When eligible after retirement, Anthony is a likely Hall of Fame inductee.
Anthony is a 10-time All Star and six-time all NBA (two as a second-
teamer and three as a third teamer), and NBA scoring champion in 2013.
During his seven seasons with the Knicks, Anthony averaged 24.7 points,
7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steals.
Power forward: Harry Gallatin
Though Gallatin played in an era that not many remember, 1948-1957
with the Knicks. His 6-foot-6 size and desire to win would have played
well in any era. Gallatin was nicknamed “The Horse.” At the time of his
retirement, his 682 consecutive games played was an NBA record.
Gallatin was a seven-time All-Star and All-NBA first-team on the way to
a Hall of Fame career. He was the NBA rebounding champion in 1954.
Gallatin averaged a double-double with 13.0 points and 11.9 rebounds
per game.
Center: Patrick Ewing
Though it's hard to leave Willis Reed out of the starting lineup, the fact
that Ewing is the best player regardless of position in franchise history is
immutable. As with many 1990's NBA stars, Ewing's biggest obstacle
was the fact that Michael Jordan's Bulls Dynasty came during that time.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Ewing was an 11-time All-Star, six-
time All-NBA second-team, three-time all NBA Defensive second team,
NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986. Ewing averaged 21.0 points, 9.8
rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game. He led the Knicks to a Finals
appearance in 1994 and another in 1999 but had to miss that one because
of injury.
Bench (alphabetical order)
Dave DeBusschere:
DeBusschere was known for his intensity and physical style of defense.
He was a key cog in the Knicks winning two NBA championships in
the 1970s. DeBusschere was an eight-time All-Star, six-time NBA All-
Defensive first team on the way to a Hall of Fame career. He averaged a
double-double with 16.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game
Bill Bradley:
Bradley is known by many for his time as a Senator for the state of New
Jersey. Bradley however, is also a Hall of Fame basketball player and
played a crucial role in the Knicks two NBA championships in the 1970s.
Bradley may not have been the most physically gifted player but he was
very self-disciplined. Bradley averaged 12.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3.2
rebounds.
Carl Braun:
Braun had two separate stints with the Knicks (1947-1950 and 1952-
1961), in between he did not play because of military service. Braun was
a five-time All-Star and All NBA second team in 1954. Braun averaged
13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on the way to a Hall
of Fame career.
Allan Houston:
Houston is an underrated player throughout the history of the Knicks.
Houston also helped the franchise reach the NBA Finals in 1999. He
reached the All-Star Game in back-to-back seasons in 2000 and 2001.
During his time with the Knicks, Houston averaged 18.5 points and 3.1
rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Richie Guerin:
Guerin was an adept passer and one of the best rebounding guards of his
time. Guerin played for the Knicks from 1956-1963. Guerin was a six-
time All-Star and three-time All-NBA second team. In a Knicks uniform,
Guerin averaged 20.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on
the way to a Hall of Fame career.
Bernard King:
King's Legacy in a sense is “what could have been” because knee injuries
short changed his career. In a Knicks uniform, he averaged 26.5 points,
5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. King became the first player in
NBA history to record back-to-back 50-point games in 1984 and he also
added a 60 point game. His 32.9 points per game average in 1984-1985
remains the highest in franchise history for a single season.
Dick McGuire:
McGuire’s stats may look very ordinary in today's game because he played
in an era when point guards were true facilitators. On the way to a Hall of
Fame career, McGuire was a seven-time All-Star and led the NBA in assists
in 1950. McGuire averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per
game.
Charles Oakley:
Oakley played 10 seasons with the Knicks and remains a fan favorite to
this day. Oakley brought a sense of toughness to the Knicks to complement
the scoring of Patrick Ewing and John Starks. Oakley was an All-Star in
1994. That season he was also NBA All-Defensive first-team and the
Knicks reached the NBA Finals. During his career with the Knicks, Oakley
averaged a double-double with 10.4 points in 10.0 rebounds per game.
John Starks:
Starks was an undrafted free agent who played eight seasons with the
Knicks, including the 1994 NBA Finals appearance. Starks has been widely
criticized for his Game 7 2 of 18 shooting performance in the 1994 Finals
loss but it would be criminal to leave him off this team. Despite being small
in stature, Starks was a tenacious defender. On offense, he was an
accomplished three-point shooter and remains the franchise leader in 3-point
field goals. Starks was the first player in NBA history to make at least 200
three-pointers in a single season.
Willis Reed:
Reed is best known for his Game 7 performance of the 1970 NBA finals.
Reed sustained a thigh injury, a torn muscle that kept him out of Game 6
and was considered unlikely to play in Game 7. Reed’s Hall of Fame
legacy also includes leading the Knicks to two NBA championships. Reed
spent all 10 of his seasons with the Knicks and averaged a double-double
in seven of those years. In his career, Reed averaged 18.7 points, 12.9
rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Head coach: Red Holzman
Very easy choice. Holzman led the Knicks to the franchise’s only two
NBA championships and also guided New York to 613 wins, which is
good for first place by a significant margin. In 1969-1970, Holzman
coached the Knicks to a 18-game winning streak, at the time an NBA
record that the Los Angeles Lakers have since broken. At the time of his
retirement in 1982, Holzman had the second most coaching victories in
NBA history.
Team: 1969-1970
This was the first team in franchise history to capture an NBA championship.
The Knicks won 60 games in the regular season, best of the NBA. That
season, the Knicks won 18 consecutive games to establish an NBA record.
They also had at the time the best start to an NBA season with a 23-1 record,
which has since been broken by the 2015 Golden State Warriors. In the
Eastern Division semifinals, the Knicks outlasted the Baltimore Bullets in
seven games before beating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the
Eastern Conference Finals. In the NBA Finals, the next outlasted a Laker
team that featured Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West.
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