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Walking past Madison Square Garden, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of basketball history. The Mecca of Basketball has seen its share of legends don the blue and orange, and it got me thinking—who are the top five New York Knicks of all time? From iconic playoff moments to MVP seasons, these five players defined what it meant to be a Knick—numbers, legacy, and unforgettable performances back the definitive list.
Carmelo Anthony arrived in New York in 2011 and instantly injected life into a franchise desperately needing star power. While the Knicks’ success during his tenure was limited in terms of playoff runs, Melo brought the team back to relevance, averaging 24.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across seven seasons in New York.
His peak came during the 2012–13 season when he led the league in scoring (28.7 PPG) and powered the Knicks to a 54–28 record—their best since the 1990s. That campaign culminated in an All-NBA Second Team selection and a playoff series win over the Boston Celtics. Anthony was a seven-time All-Star as a Knick and still holds the Madison Square Garden single-game scoring record with 62 points.
Melo’s scoring prowess, shot-making ability, and pride in wearing the Knicks jersey earn him a solid spot at No. 5.
If injuries hadn’t interrupted Bernard King’s career, he could easily be higher on this list. King’s impact was undeniable despite only playing four full seasons in New York (1982–1987). He averaged an incredible 26.5 points per game with the Knicks, highlighted by his league-best 32.9 PPG during the 1984–85 season—earning him NBA scoring champion honors and an All-NBA First Team selection.
His most iconic moment? Dropping 44 points on back-to-back nights in the 1984 playoffs while battling two dislocated fingers and the flu. That year, he averaged 34.8 points per game in the postseason, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most feared scorers.
King was a two-time All-NBA First Team selection, a four-time All-Star (three times with New York), and gave Knicks fans a dose of brilliance every time he stepped on the court.
Known simply as “The Captain,” Willis Reed is the embodiment of toughness and leadership. His legendary Game 7 entrance in the 1970 NBA Finals, limping onto the court to inspire the Knicks to their first championship, remains one of the most iconic moments in NBA history.
Reed played all 10 of his NBA seasons (1964–1974) with the Knicks, averaging 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. He was the NBA MVP in 1970, the same year he won Finals MVP and led the team to its first title. He repeated as Finals MVP in 1973, anchoring another championship squad.
A seven-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and two-time NBA champion, Reed also earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors and Rookie of the Year in 1965. Beyond the accolades, his leadership and grit made him a franchise cornerstone.
Many know him today for his flashy suits and smooth voice as a Knicks broadcaster, but Walt Frazier was just as stylish on the court—and even more effective. As the floor general for the Knicks during their championship runs in 1970 and 1973, Frazier was the ultimate point guard: poised, clutch, and tenacious on defense.
Frazier averaged 19.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds in 10 seasons with New York (1967–1977). His defining moment came in that same Game 7 where Reed made his heroic entrance—Frazier stole the show with 36 points and 19 assists, one of the greatest Finals performances ever.
During his Knicks tenure, Frazier was a seven-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA First Team, seven-time All-Defensive First Team, and made two NBA All-Star Game MVP appearances. He remains the gold standard of Knicks backcourt excellence.
At the top of the list is the player most synonymous with the modern Knicks: Patrick Ewing. The No. 1 overall pick in 1985, Ewing spent 15 of his 17 NBA seasons in New York and is the franchise’s all-time leader in points (23,665), rebounds (10,759), blocks (2,758), and games played (1,039).
Ewing averaged 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game during his Knicks tenure. He was an 11-time All-Star and earned seven All-NBA selections, including First Team in 1990. A defensive anchor and offensive force, Ewing carried the Knicks through the golden era of 1990s basketball, facing off against Michael Jordan’s Bulls and Reggie Miller’s Pacers in classic playoff battles.
Though a championship eluded him, Ewing led New York to the NBA Finals in 1994 and the Eastern Conference Finals three other times. He was also the 1986 Rookie of the Year and finished in the top five in MVP, voting five times as a Knick.
Patrick Ewing wasn’t just great—he was consistent, dominant, and carried the hopes of an entire city for over a decade.
Honorable Mentions
Charles Oakley for his toughness and defense, Allan Houston for his clutch shooting, and Latrell Sprewell for his postseason heroics. But when it comes to all-time greatness in a Knicks jersey, these five names sit above the rest.
From Clyde’s dimes to Ewing’s blocks, from Melo’s scoring to Bernard’s explosion, and Reed’s unforgettable grit—these are the legends who shaped the soul of the New York Knicks.
