All-Time Knicks Roster

The New York Knicks have recently been one of the worst and most laughable teams in the NBA. The last time they made the playoffs was in 2013. The last time the Knicks lost less than 50 games was in 2013. The Knicks have won 2 NBA Finals Championships in 1970 and 1973. However, an all-time Knicks roster is not as bad as most people think it would be.

PG: Walt “Clyde” Frazier

Walt is the best PG in Knicks History and debatably a top-5 player in Knicks history. Frazier played 10 years donning the Blue and Orange. He was a crucial part in leading the Knicks to their only Championships. As a Knick he averaged 19.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 6.3 APG. He was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. For six straight seasons he was on the All-NBA team and All-Defensive team.

SG: Earl Monroe

In Monroe’s nine seasons with the Knicks he was a very effective player. He averaged 16.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.5 APG. Him and Frazier is one of the best backcourts in NBA. In his first full season with the Knicks he was able to win a Championship.

SF: Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony is my favorite Knick of all-time. I grew up watching him and he has been one of my favorite players. In his seven years with the Knicks he averaged 24.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.2 APG. Melo made the playoffs a few times but not much else. The Knicks wasted his talent and prime by never surrounding him with any talent with the exception of his last couple years. Melo was the sole reason people would want to go to MSG. One day his number will be hanging in the rafters of Madison Square Garden.

PF: Harry Gallatin

Gallatin played with the Knicks for nine seasons. In those nine years he averaged 12.7 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 1.8 APG. There was only one season where he was not a Knick which also shows he was very loyal to the organization. Averaging a double-double is very impressive. Gallatin was a tough and physical player. He is tied for the shortest player of all-time to lead the league in rebounds as he is 6’6. In his last eight seasons he did not miss one game showing his durability. He even coached the Knicks in the mid 1960s.

C: Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing is probably the best Knick of all-time or at least in my opinion he is. He played for the Knicks for 15 of his 17 year career. As a Knick he averaged, 22.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.0 APG. He easily would have won a championship if he never had to constantly run into Jordan’s Bulls and Miller’s Pacers. The one time he made it to the finals they lost to Hakeem’s Rockets. He is in the Hall-of-Fame and a top-50 player of all-time.

6th Man: Willis Reed

Reed played his whole ten year career with the Knicks. In his career he averaged, 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG. He was on the team both years the Knicks won the Championship. Reed is the only Knicks player to win MVP and Finals MVP. He always came off the bench because he was never able to outplay Ewing. Multiple injuries caused Reed to retire at 31. If he was never plagued by injuries him and the Knicks would be much more successful. In Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Reed limped out of the locker room to play through a torn muscle showing his toughness and helping deliver the franchise’s first Finals trophy.

7th Man: Carl Braun

Carl Braun was also a Knick for most of his career. In his twelve seasons with the Knicks he averaged 14.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.8 APG. He joined the Knicks in their second season as a franchise. He also served two years in the military from 1950 to 1952 after playing for three seasons. He rejoined the team, making the All-star team five straight years as a PG and SG.

8th Man: Charles Oakley

In his ten seasons with the Knicks he averaged 10.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.3 APG. He only made it to the All-Star game once in his career. However, he took on the role as an enforcer which was crucial in his era.

9th-Man: Allan Houston

Allan Houston was a good player and a good shooter. However, he was not the best player on his team. In his nine year tenure with the Knicks he averaged 18.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.5 APG. He never played in a playoff game after his big $100 million dollar contract in 2001. He is known for hitting a game-winner against former Knicks coach Pat Riley and his Miami Heat. Houston’s clutch shot with 0.8 seconds left cemented the Knicks as the second team of all-time for an 8-seed to knock a 1-seed out of the playoffs.

10th-Man Richie Guerin

Richie Guerin was a natural scorer and sharpshooter. Even though there was no 3-point line when he played, he was still one of the best shooters in his era. He would constantly finish close in best shooting percentage at the end of each season. In his eight seasons with the Knicks he averaged, 20.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.3 APG. He also had 16 triple-doubles which is second most in team history behind Frazier.

11th-Man: Dave DeBusschere

Dave played half of his career with the Knicks. In those six seasons he averaged 16.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.6 APG. He was a crucial bench piece on both championship teams. He also was an executive for the Knicks and helped win the lottery as they drafted Patrick Ewing.

12th-Man: Bernard King

Rounding up the last spot on this team is Bernard King. He only played four seasons with the Knicks. In those four seasons he averaged 26.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.8 APG. He scored a whopping 60 points Christmas Day in 1984. King was the first Knicks player to lead the league in scoring and is second in franchise history in PPG.

Head Coach: Red Holzman

In his 14 seasons coaching the Knicks he was able to achieve a lot. He had a record of613 wins, 483 losses, with a winning percentage of .559. He coached the Knicks to their only championships in 1970 and 1973.