A Complete Guide On the NY Knicks All-Time Team

NY Knicks All-Time Team: One of the most illustrious and established teams in NBA history is the New York Knicks. The Knicks have maintained their status as a franchise with equal worth and relevance to any other NBA team throughout that same period, despite their lack of consistent success. This is because Madison Square Garden has one of the most intimidating all-time lineups in the NBA owing to the innumerable NBA luminaries who have played there throughout the years.

Today, we’re going to assemble the best starting lineup and bench in Knicks history, and we’ll designate a coach to guide them, much as we just did with the Los Angeles Lakers. The ability and output of each player in relation to their time with the New York Knicks and their time alone will be taken into consideration while choosing this starting lineup. After that, we’ll analyse this team’s potential on the court as well as how they compare to the other 29 NBA clubs. So, check this article to know the complete guide on the NY Knicks all-time team.

A Complete Guide On NY Knicks All-Time Team

Below is the complete guide on the NY Knicks all-time team, check it out:

Guard – Walt Frazier

Walt Frazier, one of the best point guards in NBA history, was selected with the fifth choice in the 1967 NBA draft. He played with the New York Knicks for ten years, ending in 1977. Due to his outstanding play on both ends of the court, Frazier emerged as one of the NBA’s top two-way players in the 1970s, helping the Knicks win two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973.

Between 1970 and 1976, Frazier had his greatest seasons with the Knicks, averaging 21.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. During this time, he was selected for seven consecutive All-Star teams and helped the Knicks win the World Cup. In the NBA Finals in 1970, Frazier scored a career-high 36 points and dished out 19 assists in Game 7 to help the Knicks defeat the Lakers in seven games. At 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game in the NBA Finals in 1973, he helped the Knicks defeat the Lakers once more.

Few teams in history have had an edge like the Knicks have with Frazier leading the way as a facilitator, scorer, and defender at the point guard position. His championship background and leadership qualities will benefit the other legends in this lineup who were never able to reach their dream team.

You might also be interested in reading this: NBA All-Stars Who Will Never Win the MVP Trophy

Guard – Earl Monroe

Another icon in New York basketball history to make their all-time starting lineup is Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. From 1972 until 1980, Monroe spent nine seasons as a player in New York, where he was an NBA champion in 1973 and an All-Star in 1975 and 1977. Following his four and a half seasons as a rookie with the Baltimore Bullets, Monroe joined the Knicks in a trade that also featured Mike Riordan.

Monroe had an immediate effect on the Knicks, leading to consecutive trips to the NBA Finals in 1972 and 1973 as well as an NBA title in 1973. Monroe averaged 16.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 53.1% shooting from the field per game in the 1973 Finals. He is an obvious choice to start in the Knicks’ all-time lineup because of his contributions to both their regular season and postseason triumphs.

Forward – Carmelo Anthony

The Knicks bring in one of their most potent offensive weapons in team history, Carmelo Anthony, at small forward. From 2011 to 2017, Anthony played for the Knicks for seven seasons. Although it wasn’t always easy, playing at Madison Square Garden allowed Anthony to reach the height of his career.

With the Knicks in 2013, Anthony was a strong contender for MVP, winning 54 games, dishing out his lone career scoring championship, and coming in third in the MVP vote. Anthony averaged 28.7 points per game. Anthony is the ideal player for the Knicks to centre their offensive approach on because of his exceptional ability to score from the post, from mid-range, and beyond the arc—especially with Monroe and Frazier providing good playmaking in the backcourt.

Center – Willis Reed

What are probably the two best players in Knicks history will make up their frontcourt. The most accomplished player in team history, Willis Reed—who, fifty years later, remains the only MVP of either the regular season or the Finals in Knicks history—is the first addition to this formidable frontcourt.

With his ability to dominate opponents of any size on both ends of the court and finish around the basket, Reed is a classic, muscular addition to the Knicks roster. In 1970 and 1973, Reed’s strong play on the glass and defensive prowess were key factors in the Knicks’ two NBA victories; he also won MVP honours in both Finals.

With Patrick Ewing, their other more offensively skilled frontcourt player, next to him, Reed will be able to concentrate on his rebounding, defensive skills, and clean-up duties.

Center – Patrick Ewing

In the annals of the New York Knicks, Patrick Ewing has several records in terms of points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. During his 15 seasons with the Knicks from 1986 to 2000, Ewing was able to accomplish these goals. Despite just making two trips to the NBA Finals and winning no NBA titles, Ewing ascended to the status of New York royalty.

With Ewing in the starting lineup, the Knicks have a formidable offensive onslaught and a defensive frontcourt that is hard to stop. Ewing will have room to move and make his incredibly smooth mid-range shot when Reed is occupied controlling the post. It will be challenging for most NBA all-time combinations, even the greatest teams like the Lakers and Celtics, to stop Reed and Ewing together.

Bench

Guard – John Starks

The New York Knicks’ John Starks is leading things off the bench. Starks played with the Knicks for eight seasons, from 1991 to 1998. During that time, he proved to be a strong and resilient perimeter defender who could also score points when the team needed him. With his dynamic presence on the court, he was frequently the team’s energy boost, enabling them to go on thrilling runs to win games and light up Madison Square Garden.

Starks’ best years with the Knicks, which spanned from 1992 to 1998, perfectly capture his strengths and qualities for this Knicks group. Starks averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals a game on 42.2% shooting during this time. In 1994, Starks had an All-Star season with an average of 19.0 points per game. In 1997, he earned Sixth Man of the Year with an average of 13.8 points and 1.2 steals per game while coming off the bench. Starks is the best choice to be the franchise’s sixth member.

Guard – Allan Houston

We bring in Allan Houston, one of the purest shooters in New York Knicks history, to play shooting guard. Houston became one of the Knicks’ most potent and dependable offensive players throughout his nine seasons with the team from 1997 to 2005. He has hit the second-most three-pointers in Knicks history and has a career three-point percentage of 40.2%.

Houston can burst into action at any time; during their nine seasons with the Knicks, they averaged more than 18.0 points per game six times. For the Knicks in a bench position, that kind of offensive firepower is crucial. They will face some outstanding depth when facing the other NBA all-time combinations. As New York looks for a go-to perimeter player to complement Carmelo Anthony, expect Houston to be a big part of their offensive schemes on the floor.

Forward – Bernard King

Bernard King gives the New York Knicks even another elite offensive player to add to their bench. King ignited the City of New York with his explosive scoring production in just four seasons with the Knicks (1983–1987). With an average of 29.1 points per game on 55.2% field goal shooting, he had his finest seasons in 1984 and 1985.

With the Knicks, he was second in the MVP voting in 1984 and won his lone scoring championship in 1085 with an average of 32.9 points per game. During this time, he was also selected to the All-NBA First Team twice in a row. The Knicks now have another first option on the bench in the form of King, a scorer, which makes their offence one of the most dangerous units in history.

Forward – Charles Oakley

At least one player who isn’t scared to assume the position of enforcer is necessary for any squad. must be an experienced team leader who brings out the best in his coworkers, even if it means pushing them to the verge of insanity. Charles Oakley is the precise addition the Knicks made to their bench.

The Knicks have added the ideal player to their bench in Oakley, who averaged a double-double over his ten years with the team from 1989 to 1998. He provides them an advantage in terms of physicality and excellent support off the bench for Ewing and Reed as an inside defender and rebounder.