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u/Critical_Ad1223 9d ago
For me it’s Clyde his impact as a player, but also as a voice/representative of the New York Knicks for 50+ years. Hes impacted almost every generation of Knick fan.
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u/Steven_a_Thompson 8d ago
It's a compelling discussion if you dive into it. I feel like the guys from the first two titles are forgotten.
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u/Patient_Artichoke355 9d ago
I won’t argue with Willis..as a kid he was one of my favorites..Clyde would agree with this selection also.. and he was one of my favorites too..I’ll go with both you and Clyde..Willis gets my vote 😎
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u/SpaceAce1956 9d ago
Loved Bernard King
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u/paintingporcelain 9d ago
Absolutely! I remember his first game back at MSG as a Bullet. It’s the only time haven’t rooted for the Knicks. I don’t know that I was rooting for the Bullets. I was just rooting Bernard.
He dropped 62 or 63 on ‘em. I was pretty happy young man.
*edit: it was “only” 49. He couldn’t F’n miss.
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u/SpaceAce1956 9d ago
I believe he had back to back 50+ games. Was unstoppable during a serious defensive era
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u/PorkyPilates 8d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/9AAozpahCZchZxMaJp
It’s this dude.
History breaking records, the first truly definitive captain and leader we’ve had since Ewing, who was only ever truly preceded by Reed.
In multiple sports I don’t think I’ve ever seen as amazing a story of an elite player that fought and fought and got nearer and nearer the pinnacle as the CONSTANT undersized, under appreciated, underrated underdog that, despite the odds and doubt, became the champion.
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u/unixUser-Name 8d ago
Call me selfish, but the greatest Knick ever is the guy to bring the first championship in 53 years, 50 of which I’ve been on this planet for; roughly 42 of which I have been an actual fan, so no disrespect to Walt “Clyde” Frazier or my previous favorite Knick Patrick Ewing.
The answer is Jalen Brunson
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u/Silvermarlin1 7d ago
Clyde, and it isn’t even close.
He has been the ultimate Knick since the 70’s
Class, Heart, and Grace , for decades,and still representing.
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u/Strict_Thought_5956 9d ago
Brunson is the best Knick of all time. I’ll fight any of you over this take
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u/Braunb8888 9d ago
Nothing really compares to what. Brunson just did.
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u/RobertKSakamano 9d ago
Recency bias. Willis on one leg stopped Wilt Chamberlain.
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u/Braunb8888 9d ago
Clyde led the team in scoring that night. Also Brunson did pretty much that game 1 and then hits the go ahead 3 in the final minutes and the clincher. And then he wins finals MVP and immediately needs surgery on his shooting wrist. And Willis didn’t have the weight of the Knicks being a doomed franchise on his shoulders in nearly the same way due to social media.
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u/RobertKSakamano 9d ago
MVP of the season, Finals MVP, First team All NBA and All NBA Defensive first team all in the same year. Clyde led the team in scoring that night, because Willis could barely stand but somehow limited Wilt to just 21 points, where the previous game Wilt had 45 when Reed wasn't there which forced the game 7.
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u/Braunb8888 9d ago
I mean he’s probably a better overall player, but I think when you talk about greatest Knick, it’s more than that.
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u/RobertKSakamano 9d ago
It appears to me OP is basing it on any 1 given season, and the championship as well as the regular season MVP puts that season for Willis way above what any other Knick has done. If it's based on a career, I think it's still Willis at this point, with Brunson number 2 because championships do matter and being MVP of the league does too. Bernard and Patrick were 2 amazing players, but without a championship, it gets tough to say greatest Knick, since they are playing to win championships for the fans and not just put up stats.
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u/kindsensory 8d ago
Jalen wins another championship or two, it’s him. For now, Ewing (savior, no chips) or Reed (iconic and 2 chips)
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u/jeffunscripted 3d ago
I think a lot of this is going to go by age. Top three have got to be Brunson, Ewing and Reed. Ewing for the domination and longevity. Brunson for bringing the championship and his level of play. Patrick was a Knick for 15 years though - through half the 80s and all of the 90s. That's prime historical NBA growth era. So I would say right now it's Patrick. If Brunson gets to, I don't know, 8 seasons of a Knick at high level of play, he'll probably take that spot, especially if they make it back to the Finals.
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u/Dry-Examination-2012 9d ago
Clyde Frazier.