THE FIVE GREATEST IN NEW YORK KNICKS HISTORY

THE FIVE GREATEST IN NEW YORK KNICKS HISTORY

If we're talking about traditions, it's hard to find an organization in the NBA with bigger ones than the New York Knicks. Since the formation of the best basketball league in the world until today, only two teams have retained their original location. This list does not include teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat. It features the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. There are no other!

Despite their perseverance and eternal service to the city of New York, the Knicks are not among the most successful in the league. Still, the city remembers the 1970 and 1973 titles, and to this day the team from Madison Square Garden is among the most beloved in the world. One of the main reasons for this is the greats that have played in the team. And these are the five most memorable of them.

5. Earl Monroe

The pearl! A man for whom improvisation on the parquet was more like a hobby. His career in New York began in 1971 after a 4-year stint with the Baltimore Bullets. With the Knicks, Earl formed a stellar duo with Walt Frazier. In 9 seasons at Madison Square Garden, Monroe made two All-Star appearances and won a championship ring in 1973. In '86, the organization retired his number 15, and he was later named to the 50 Greatest basketball players in NBA history.

4. Dave DeBuche

In the 1968/69 season, the New York Knicks signed him after a trade with the Pistons. Many believe the power forward is the missing piece in the puzzle that includes Walt Frazier and Willis Reed. They turned out to be right, because in 1970 the organization won its first title. Amazing defender averaging 11 rebounds per game. Eight-time All-Star who won another ring in '73. In the finals in 1970, he played his greatest game. DeBoucher scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a Game 7 win over the Lakers, all before there were 3-pointers in the NBA.

3. Willis Reed

The incredible Knicks team of the late 1960s and early 1970s could not have been formed without great leaders. Such is Reed, who is called The Captain for short. A center who isn't particularly tall, but has struggled with the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain. During the 1970 Finals, he missed Game 6 against the Lakers, but in Game 7 he was given a wild reception by the fans at Madison Square Garden. In both this and the other matches, he played brilliantly and was voted the MVP of the series. With better health, he could have been higher in the rankings, but Willis only played 10 seasons in the NBA. All with the Knicks!

2. Walt Fraser

Or just Clyde... One of the calmest in the history of the game, who always liked to have the ball in his hands. In the decisive Game 7 of the Grand Finals against the Lakers in 70, he was the best on the floor. Frazier recorded 36 points, 19 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Amazing defender. Willis Reed jokes that Clyde has such quick hands that he can knock the wheels off a moving car. The guard has been named to the All-NBA All-Defensive Team for 7 straight seasons. Shares the ball with Monroe, Bradley, Reed and DeBuche, but has averaged more than 20 points per game in 6 seasons.

1. Patrick Ewing

Patrick is familiar to modern NBA fans as a longtime assistant coach for the Wizards, Rockets, Magic and Hornets. As a player, he spent 15 seasons with the New York Knicks. During this period, he was selected for the All-Star Game 11 times, but never won a title. His longevity in New York puts him ahead of Frazier and Reed in our rankings. With him, the Knicks play 13 times in the playoffs. They reached the Finals in 1994 and 1999, but lost to the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, respectively. Ewing is one of only 16 players in league history with at least 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. Record holder for the Knicks in multiple metrics such as minutes, points, rebounds, rebounds and steals.

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