The New York Knicks are one of the oldest and most storied franchises in the history of the NBA. Although it hasn’t always been a resounding success, the Knicks have remained a franchise with as much value and as much relevancy as any other in the NBA during the same time. This is thanks to the countless NBA legends who have made Madison Square Garden over the years, forming one of the more daunting all-time lineups in the league.
Just as we did recently with the Los Angeles Lakers, today we are going to build the greatest starting lineup and bench in Knicks history and assign a coach to lead them as well. This lineup will be selected based on each player’s abilities and production as it pertains to their time with the New York Knicks and that time alone. We then will break down how this team would perform on the court together and how they stack up against the other 29 teams in the NBA.
Guard – Walt Frazier
Championships (with Knicks): 2
Career Stats (with Knicks): 19.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 7x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 6x All-NBA Team Selection, 7x All-Defensive Team Selection
Drafted with the fifth pick in the 1967 NBA draft, Walt Frazier spent a decade with the New York Knicks through 1977 becoming one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Frazier’s incredible play on both sides of the ball made him one of the premier two-way threats in the entire NBA during the 1970s which eventually helped lead to two NBA championships for the Knicks in 1970 and 1973.
Frazier’s best seasons with the Knicks came from 1970 through 1976 when he averaged 21.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He earned seven straight All-Star appearances during this time and helped the Knicks become World Champions in the process. In 1970, Frazier helped the Knicks take down the Lakers in seven games in the NBA Finals including a historic 36 points and 19 assists in Game 7. In 1973, he led the Knicks to a win over the Lakers again in the NBA Finals, averaging 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
As a playmaker, scorer, and defender from the point guard position like Frazier is, few teams in history hold an advantage like the Knicks do with him starting things off. His leadership and championship pedigree are something that will rub off on the other legends in this lineup who never got to the promised land.
Guard – Earl Monroe
Championships (with Knicks): 1
Career Stats (with Knicks): 14.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection
Earl “The Pearl” Monroe is another legend in New York basketball history to make their all-time starting lineup. Monroe played nine seasons in New York from 1972 through 1980, winning one NBA championship in 1973 along with two All-Star seasons in 1975 and 1977. After four and a half seasons with the Baltimore Bullets to begin his career, Monroe came over to the Knicks in a deal that included Mike Riordan.
Monroe made a quick impact on the Knicks which included back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1972 and 1973 and an NBA championship in 1973. During the 1973 Finals, Monroe averaged 16.0 points and 4.2 assists per game on 53.1% shooting from the field. His contributions to both the Knicks’ regular season and playoff success make him an easy selection as a starter in their all-time lineup.
Forward – Carmelo Anthony
Championships (with Knicks): 0
Career Stats (with Knicks): 24.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection
At the small forward position, the Knicks bring in one of the most lethal offensive weapons in franchise history, Carmelo Anthony. Anthony spent seven seasons of his career with the Knicks from 2011 through 2017 and although it wasn’t always pretty, Anthony reached the pinnacle of his career while playing at Madison Square Garden.
Anthony was a legitimate MVP candidate with the Knicks in 2013, 2inning his only career scoring title and finishing third in MVP voting, averaging 28.7 points per game and leading the team to 54 wins. Anthony’s elite ability to score from the post, mid-range, and from beyond the arc makes him the perfect piece for the Knicks to build their offensive attack around, especially with the playmaking of Frazier and Monroe solidifying their backcourt.
Center – Willis Reed
Championships (with Knicks): 2
Career Stats (with Knicks): 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 2x Finals MVP, 1x MVP, 1x Rookie Of The Year, 7x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection
With the Knicks, their frontcourt will consist of arguably the two greatest players in franchise history. The first addition to this monstrous frontcourt is the most accomplished player in franchise history, Willis Reed who after 50 years is still the only Finals MVP or regular season MVP in the history of the Knicks organization.
Reed is an old-school, physical addition to the Knicks to their lineup, bringing an ability to finish around the rim and bully opponents of any size on both ends of the court. It was Reed’s big defensive efforts and job on the glass that helped the Knicks win two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973 with Reed picking up both Finals MVP awards.
In this lineup, Reed will have the chance to focus on his rebounding, defensive prowess, and clean-up service he provides next to their other, more offensively adept frontcourt member, Patrick Ewing.
Center – Patrick Ewing
Championships (with Knicks): 0
Career Stats (with Knicks): 22.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.7 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 1x Rookie Of The Year, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection
Patrick Ewing owns a host of records in New York Knicks history including points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. Ewing was able to achieve these things with the Knicks, playing 15 seasons with the franchise from 1986 through 2000. Ewing rose to levels of New York royalty despite two NBA Finals appearances and no NBA championships.
Ewing’s addition to the lineup gives the Knicks a fortified defensive frontcourt combined with an offensive attack that will be difficult to stop. When Reed is busy dominating the post, Ewing will have space to operate and knock down his very fluid mid-range shot. The combination of Reed and Ewing will be difficult for most NBA all-time lineups to stop, including the best of the best like the Lakers and Celtics.
Bench
Guard – John Starks
Championships (with Knicks): 0
Career Stats (with Knicks): 14.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 1x Sixth Man Of The Year, 1x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection
Leading things off of the bench for the New York Knicks is John Starks. In eight seasons with the Knicks from 1991 through 1998, Starks showcased his tenacity and toughness as a perimeter defender and scorer when the Knicks needed him to be. Many times, he was the energy burst the team needed to go on epic runs to end games and set Madison Square Garden ablaze with the electricity he brought to the court.
Starks’ peak with the Knicks from 1992 through 1998 is the perfect summarization of what he brings to this all-time lineup for the Knicks. During this time, Starks averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 42.2% shooting. Starks had an All-Star campaign in 1994 in which he averaged 19.0 points per game and won Sixth Man of the Year in 1997 averaging 13.8 points and 1.2 steals per game off the bench. There is no better Sixth Man to be in place for the franchise than Starks.
Guard – Allan Houston
Championships (with Knicks): 0
Career Stats (with Knicks): 18.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 2x All-Star
At shooting guard, we bring in one of the purest shooters in New York Knicks history, Allan Houston. In nine seasons with the Knicks from 1997 through 2005, Houston rose to stardom with the franchise as one of their most lethal and reliable offensive players. He ranks second in Knicks history in three-pointers made and shot 40.2% from three for his career.
Houston possesses the ability to erupt on a moment’s notice, sporting six seasons of over 18.0 points per game out of nine with the Knicks. That sort of offensive firepower is irreplaceable for the Knicks in a bench role who will be going up against some elite depth when going up against the other all-time lineups across the NBA. Look for Houston to play a major role in New York’s offensive plans on the court as they look for a go-to weapon from the perimeter other than Carmelo Anthony.
Forward – Bernard King
Championships (with Knicks): 0
Career Stats (with Knicks): 26.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection
Yet another premier offensive talent joins the bench for the New York Knicks as well with Bernard King. In just four seasons with the Knicks from 1983 through 1987, King set the City of New York on fire with his scorching offensive output. His best seasons came in 1984 and 1985 when he averaged 29.1 points per game on 55.2% shooting from the field.
He finished as the runner-up for MVP in 1984 with the Knicks and took home his only scoring title in 1085, averaging 32.9 points per game. He also earned back-to-back All-NBA First Team selections during this time. Having a scorer such as King as reinforcement off the bench gives the Knicks yet another first option in a bench role, making their offense one of the scariest amongst the all-time lineups.
Forward – Charles Oakley
Championships (with Knicks): 0
Career Stats (with Knicks): 10.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 1x All-Star, 2x All-Defensive Team Selection
Every team needs at least one player who isn’t afraid to take on the enforcer role on the team. To be a veteran leader and get the best out of his teammates even if how he pushes them toes the boundaries between passionate and psychotic. That is exactly what the Knicks have added to their bench with Charles Oakley.
Oakley, who averaged a double-double in his 10 years with the Knicks from 1989 through 1998, is the perfect addition for the Knicks to their bench. He gives them an edge in the physicality department as well as great reinforcement as a rebounder and interior defender off the bench for Ewing and Reed.
Forward – Dave DeBusschere
Championships (with Knicks): 2
Career Stats (with Knicks): 16.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Achievements (with Knicks): 5x All-Star, 5x All-Defensive Team Selection
While the first three additions to the Knicks bench reinforced their offensive attack, these final two have fortified their entire defensive plan as well, leaving us with one of the more well-rounded all-time lineups that we have created. Dave DeBusschere is the final piece to the puzzle for the Knicks for his contributions to both championship teams in 1970 and 1973.
DeBusschere was a five-time All-Defensive First Team selection during his time with the Knicks while also averaging a double-double. He was an efficient scorer as well who could fill any role asked of him on either end of the court. DeBusschere gives the Knicks bench their final defensive anchor as well as a player who can go out and get 15 or 16 points when asked. That production is priceless in a bench role for a team in search of an NBA title.
Coach – Red Holzman
If there is any coach from Knicks history that can lead this group of players to places they have only dreamed of, it is Red Holzman. With his 613 career wins as Knicks coach, Holzman is the all-time leader in franchise history by nearly 300 wins. Holzman led the Knicks to three NBA finals appearances and two NBA championships, the only coach in team history to lay claim to those accomplishments. Any other choice for the coach of the Knicks’ all-time team would be a disservice to Holzman’s contributions to the Knicks’ stance as one of the best franchises in NBA history.
How Would This Team Perform On The Court?
Of all the all-time lineups that we have created thus far, the New York Knicks may be the most unique. Their starting lineup is filled with the most accomplished offensive and defensive players in franchise history, creating a well-balanced lineup capable of competing with almost any opponent they should cross paths with.
The starting backcourt of Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe is the perfect tandem to line up next to the Knicks’ elite trio of Carmelo Anthony, Willis Reed, and Patrick Ewing. Frazier and Monroe can set the pace of play with their defensive efforts and transitional playmaking while Anthony, Reed, and Ewing carry the bulk of the load scoring-wise, and form one heck of a wall on the interior defensively.
The bench is then solidified by the defensive presence of John Starks, Charles Oakley, and Dave DeBusschere. Bernard King and Allan Houston provide more firepower offensively with King’s elite three-level efficiency and Houston’s three-point threat. Bringing it all together is coach Red Holzman who has the championship experience to make this a top-five all-time lineup when it is all said and done.
