The New York Knicks are one of the most valuable franchises in sports. They have a rich history, a passionate fan base, and a market in New York that gives them great credibility. They have won two NBA championships and had some of the best players in the league. Some of those players have greatly impacted the franchise and fans.
Throughout the Knicks' long history, they've gotten a lot of accolades and awards. But which ones deserve to sit in the rafters? One of the most coveted is the All-NBA First Team, an honor recognizing the best players in a league. It's the highest honor in basketball and doesn't always arrive in New York regularly.
The 1953-54 Knicks are among the most popular teams in franchise history because of their strong team chemistry and intelligent, fundamentally sound approach to basketball. Their players were well-rounded and skilled, and their coaches respected each other.
Harry Gallatin, who joined the Knicks as a 40th-round pick in the 1948 BAA Draft, became one of their early stars. He's been credited with helping New York make the playoffs in three seasons and is still a fan favorite.
The 1969-70 Knicks were a team of legends that won the first NBA championship in franchise history. Led by Willis Reed and Walt "Clyde" Frazier and coached by Red Holzman, they went 60-22 and beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the finals to win their first title.
The Knicks were an undersized group that used pressure defense and selfless passing to win games. Willis Reed and Walt "Clyde" Frazier were stalwart defenders who played easily on the perimeter, and Dick Barnett and Dave DeBusschere provided good offense from the wing.
The Knicks had an 18-game winning streak early in the season but suffered a pair of losses to the Baltimore Bullets in the playoffs. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games to win their first championship.
The 1972-73 Knicks won their second NBA title, beating the Lakers in four games to one. This was the team's last title until 1993-94, 21 years later.
On Saturday night, 1972-73 team members gathered at Madison Square Garden to celebrate the franchise's last championship. Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Earl Monroe, Dick Barnett, and Jerry Lucas were there, along with the families of Dave DeBusschere, Dean Meminger, and Red Holzman.
Jalen Brunson stood atop the Knicks logo at the center of MSG, a microphone in hand. He thanked the 1972-73 team for its hard work, selflessness, and sacrifice. He also talked about how it's a team that the current group -- trying to snap a 50-year title drought -- should emulate because of their heroes.
During the 1990s, Patrick Ewing and the Knicks had great players around him. Whether it was Charles Oakley, John Starks, or Anthony Mason, each player was an important contributor to the team.
For starters, Charles Oakley was a dominant force on the glass. He was one of the best defensive forwards in NBA history, and he helped the Knicks win several championships throughout his tenure with New York.
Another player who was a big part of the '90s New York Knicks was Larry Johnson. He was a big man who could make big shots. He scored the winning basket in the 1999 East Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
In 2012-13, the Knicks built themselves a team on the belief that they would be able to win at a high level. They did just that, winning 54 games and finishing first in the Atlantic Conference before losing to Miami in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.
They had a star-studded line-up, including Carmelo Anthony (on a scoring tear) and J.R. Smith (still a force off the bench), and a strong defense led by Tyson Chandler.
But what made the Knicks fun to watch was their amazing team chemistry. It was a year of youth, as Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler got better and better, but it also included some train wrecks: Mike Woodson, Raymond Felton, Amare Stoudemire, and Iman Shumpert.
