The New York Knicks All-Time GOAT Pyramid

Since 1946, the New York Knickerbockers have been a part of professional basketball. The Knicks were a powerhouse in their earlier years, making the playoffs in each of their first 9 seasons and 3 straight NBA Finals from 1951 through 1953. The team hit all-time lows during the late 50s and early 60, but fortunes for them began to change in the latter part of the 1960s. The Knicks won their first two NBA titles during the 1970s and have been in pursuit of another Larry O’Brien Trophy ever since.

Many legends have come and gone through the City Of New York and have called Madison Square Garden, considered to be the Mecca of basketball, home for years. With legends such as Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and many more, the Knicks have a long and storied history of NBA greats gracing their court. Today, we will put these New York basketball legends into tiers and determine once and for all who the Knicks' GOAT is. Legendary franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls had their GOAT pyramid already, and now it's time for the Knicks. Whether you agree or disagree, there is no wrong answer depending on what you value and how you separate these players.

This is the New York Knicks GOAT pyramid.

Tier 5

Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Dick McGuire, Stephon Marbury, Cazzie Russell, Bill Cartwright, David Lee, Ray Williams, J.R. Smith, Mark Jackson, Marcus Camby, Nate Robinson, Charlie Ward, Larry Johnson

Tier 5 consists of many New York Knicks legends who played their roles at an elite level and were conducive to the success of their team. The first of these players is famed enforcer Charles Oakley. For 10 seasons, Oakley called MSG home, where he and the Knicks were a perennial playoff team. He had his lone All-Star season with the Knicks in 1994, when he averaged 11.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 1.3 SPG. Oakley would also make 2 All-Defensive Teams and make a Finals appearance in 1994 with the Knicks.

When I speak about folk heroes in New York, one of the men I am speaking about is Anthony Mason. Nothing about Mason’s time in New York will jump out off the page to the naked eye but believe me, he was a big-time player in New York. Mason became an All-Star and All-NBA player after his time with the Knicks but was the best player off the bench in basketball in 1995. Mason was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1995 for the Knicks averaging 9.9 PPG and 8.4 RPG.

Dick McGuire spent 11 seasons in the NBA from 1950 through 1960. He spent 8 of those seasons with the New York Knicks as one of the better point guards in the East for that era. McGuire wasn’t much of a scorer, averaging just 8.0 PPG during his time with the Knicks, but it was the other things he did that made him a star. McGuire went to 5 All-Star games with the Knicks, including 3 in a row from 1954 through 1956. He averaged 4.2 RPG and 5.6 APG with the Knicks during those All-Star seasons and is remembered as one of the first true Knicks legends.

Next up in our Tier 5 Knicks is the curious case of Stephon Marbury. There is no doubt that Marbury possessed the talent to be a superstar with the Knicks, but focus and discipline were a rarity for the former point guard. Marbury played 4 and a half seasons for the Knicks from 2004 through 2008 and lit up the Garden on numerous occasions. In 2005 with New York, Marbury averaged 21.7 PPG and 8.1 APG but missed out on an All-Star selection. During his time with the Knicks, they only made the playoffs in Marbury’s half-season in 2004, but nevertheless, Marbury was one of their main attractions. During his time with New York, Marbury averaged 18.2 PPG, 7.0 APG, and 1.2 SPG.

Cazzie Russell was a player beloved by the City Of New York for his role with the team from 1967 through 1971. As one of New York’s forwards for 5 seasons, Russell helped the Knicks become serious contenders for 5 seasons and win a championship in 1970 with the team. In his 5 seasons with the Knicks, Russell averaged 13.3 PPG on 45.7% shooting. He became a fan favorite for the energy he brought to the team every time he stepped on the floor. Russell would become an All-Star after leaving the Knicks but will always be remembered for his time bringing a title to the Big Apple.

Bill Cartwright is remembered for being an integral part of multiple championships with the Chicago Bulls. Many forgot that Cartwright began his career with 8 seasons as a New York Knick. Cartwright played 8 of 9 seasons with New York and was named to the All-Star team in his rookie season. Unfortunately for Cartwright, his rookie season came at the same time as Magic and Bird, and he didn’t even get consideration for Rookie of the Year. Cartwright averaged over 20.0 PPG in his first two seasons with the Knicks and 16.8 PPG and 7.1 RPG over 8 years. Individually, Cartwright was an even better player in New York than he ever was in Chicago.

David Lee began his NBA career with the New York Knicks in 2005-06. Lee doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a Knicks great, most likely due to the fact that he played for some really bad teams who never made the playoffs. In 5 seasons with the Knicks, Lee averaged 13.0 PPG and 9.6 RPG. He earned 1 All-Star selection in 2010 when he averaged a career-high 20.2 PPG, 11.7 RPG, and 1.0 SPG.

Ray Williams was another combo guard who began his career with the New York Knicks in the 1977-78 season. Williams was never an All-Star or All-NBA Team selection with the Knicks, but he did help lead them to playoff basketball twice. In 1980 with the Knicks, Williams averaged 20.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.2 APG, and 2.0 SPG, which was one of his best seasons as a pro. In 1981, Williams led the Knicks to the playoffs in his final year with the team, averaging 19.7 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 2.3 SPG.

Cue the memes and jokes but also sneaking into Tier 5 for the New York Knicks is J.R. Smith. For 3 and a half seasons, Smith rocked the Garden with his athletics finishes at the rim and big-time clutch baskets. Smith had the best season of his career in 2013, with New York averaging 18.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 1.3 SPG. He was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year for his efforts that season as one of the best bench players in basketball. In his time with the Knicks, Smith averaged 15.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 1.1 SPG, his best stretch with any team at any point in his 16-year career.

In a long line of great New York point guards, Mark Jackson found a place among them for 5 seasons from 1988 through 1992. Jackson was one of the elite playmakers of his time, and after being a scorer most of his life, he made sacrifices for his team in order to win. In his rookie season, Jackson averaged 13.6 PPG and 10.6 APG for the Knicks. The following season, Jackson was named an All-Star for the one time in his career with 16.9 PPG, 8.6 APG, and 1.9 SPG. The Knicks competed in the postseason every year Jackson was in New York as he led their backcourt on both sides of the ball.

The next player in Tier 5 is in this position because of the defensive master he was, and that is Marcus Camby. Although his defensive recognition came years later, Camby provided much-needed interior relief for the Knicks that helped them reach the NBA Finals in 1999. On that playoff run, Camby’s 1.2 SPG and 1.9 BPG led the way for the Knicks on the defensive side of the ball as Camby became a Knicks legend for his role.

The next 2 players on this Knicks GOAT pyramid will be here due to their physical attributes and feats of athletic excellence. Nate Robinson is one of those players who made his debut for the Knicks in 2005-06. Robinson’s role was mainly off the bench, where he provided the energy that became contagious through the team and home crowd. Although never an All-Star or All-NBA player, Robinson became a Slam Dunk champion with the Knicks and developed a cult-like following that many Knicks fans still belong to today.

The second-to-last spot for Tier 5 goes to the only man who ever won the Heisman Trophy in college football and played in the NBA. Charlie Ward was a serious two-sport athlete who debuted for the Knicks in 1994-95. Ward would spend the next 9 and a half seasons with the Knicks, where he became an integral two-way player toward their team's success. Ward helped the Knicks reach 2 NBA Finals in his career and finished Top 10 in the league in steals twice. Ward may not be remembered by the casual fan as much, but by New Yorkers, he is a legend.

The last and final selection for Tier 5 is Larry Johnson. Now, Johnson broke into the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick with the Charlotte Hornets. Johnson was on a steadfast pace to superstardom when the Knicks acquired him in 1996. Johnson struggled mightily with back issues with the Knicks but still contributed 12.0 PPG or more for 4 seasons straight in the late 90s and early 2000s. Johnson is remembered best by Knicks fans for his now famous 4-point play against the Indiana Pacers in the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals. Johnson may not have been an All-Star or All-NBA player anymore, but he lit up the Garden on more than one occasion.

Tier 4

Jerry Lucas, Dick Barnett, John Starks, Latrell Sprewell, Bill Bradley, Amar’e Stoudemire, Micheal Ray Richardson

Jerry Lucas is a player who doesn’t get much credit for his career overall, let alone his time with the New York Knicks. Lucas joined the Knicks at the end of his career in 1972, where he stayed for 3 seasons. Lucas averaged 16.7 PPG and 13.1 RPG in his first season for the Knicks and finished Top 15 in MVP voting. The following season, Lucas helped the Knicks capture their 2nd NBA championship in 4 seasons when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. Lucas was slightly worse as an offensive player, but his defense in that series off the bench is a big reason for the series shifting in New York’s favor.

Dick Barnett has his name forever cemented into New York Knicks history simply for his contributions to both NBA championships the team has won. Burnett formed an elite backcourt for the Knicks alongside Walt Frazier, who we will be seeing much later in this pyramid. Barnett made the only All-Star Game of his career with the Knicks in 1968 when he averaged 18.0 PPG. In 1970, he helped the Knicks win the NBA title with 16.9 PPG over the entire playoff run. By their second title in 1973, he had become injured and hardly played the entirety of the playoffs. Barnett’s impact on the Knicks will never be forgotten as he finds his place in Tier 4 of our pyramid.

John Starks is another New York legend who can never be forgotten for his contributions to the team during the 90s. With the Knicks from 1991 through 1998, Starks became one of the better point guards in basketball. He helped the team reach the 1994 NBA Finals and go 7 games against the Houston Rockets. He was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team in 1993 and an All-Star in 1994. Starks was also honored with the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1997 as the best bench player in basketball.

Latrell Sprewell came to the New York Knicks in 1998-99 after a tumultuous ending to his time in Golden State. Many people questioned if Sprewell could get back to being the All-NBA player he was after his stint in Golden State, but those questions died down quickly. Sprewell provided the Knicks with explosive scoring and timely defensive stops, helping them reach the NBA Finals in 1999 and Conference Finals in 2000. Sprewell became an All-Star for the Knicks in 2001 as well and was one of their main pieces on deep playoff runs.

Bill Bradley spent his entire 10-year career with the Knicks, which is something no other player on this list can lay claim to aside from the man sitting at No. 1. Bradley was a consistent double-digit scorer whose play also helped the Knicks to 2 NBA titles during the 19070s. On multiple occasions, Bradley would be on the court for over 75 games per season and was named an All-Star during the 1973 championship season. Bradley averaged 12.4 PPG for his career but defensively was every bit as important as anyone else in this pyramid.

Many Knicks fans have mixed feelings about Amar’e Stoudemire in New York, and rightfully so. Between the expectations and Stoudemire’s freak injuries, Knicks fans became frustrated with him in an instant. However, in his first season with the team, Stoudemire was an All-Star and an All-NBA Second Team member who helped lead them to the playoffs. They would make the postseason in each of his next 2 seasons before injuries began to pile up, and Stoudemire was no longer in New York.

Micheal Ray Richardson is the next former Knick that we honor for his 4 seasons with the team from 1979 through 1982. In his 4 seasons with New York, Richardson missed just 13 games in total and became a 3-time All-Star. He became an All-Star for the first time in 1980 when he averaged 15.3 PPG and led the NBA with 10.1 APG and in steals with 3.2 SPG. He would be an All-Star for the Knicks the following 2 seasons averaging 17.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 7.4 APG, and 2.8 SPG over that time.

Tier 3

Dave DeBusschere, Earl Monroe, Carmelo Anthony, Richie Guerin, Allan Houston

Dave DeBusschere is one of the best players in Knicks' history. All of the players in Tier 3 are and could easily be considered for Tier 2. DeBusschere spent the final 5 and a half seasons of his career with the Knicks from 1969 through 1974. His defensive efforts and rebounding prowess helped the Knicks to win 2 NBA titles in the 70s and saw him selected as an All-Star 5 times in New York. In all 5 of his full seasons in New York, DeBusschere was named to the All-Defensive First Team as he anchored championship-winning teams twice in NBA championship seasons.

Earl “The Pearl” Monroe is easily another New York superstar who can be considered for Tier 2, and if more players were allowed on that tier, he would be. Monroe spent 8 seasons with the Knicks from 1973 through 1980. He was named an All-Star twice with the Knicks in 1975 and 1977 amid 20.0 PPG seasons in New York. He also formed one of the league’s best backcourts alongside Walt Frazier during this time and helped the Knicks win the 1973 NBA championship. Monroe’s time in New York was the best stretch of his career, and he is also cemented as a New York legend for eternity.

For many, choosing Carmelo Anthony for Tier 3 along with the Knicks, who delivered immense playoff success, maybe a bit controversial. The truth is, Carmelo provided Madison Square Garden with some of its greatest moments since those days and uplifted the spirit of the city on more than one occasion. Anthony was an All-Star all 7 seasons that he was with New York and finished 3rd in MVP voting in 2013, winning the scoring title with 28.7 PPG. Carmelo would help the Knicks reach the playoffs 3 times during his stint there and ended a long playoff win drought in 2013 as well.

Richie Guerin is a victim of being a really good player for some really bad Knicks teams. Guerin played 7 and a half seasons for the Knicks from 1957 through 1964, making a trip to the All-Star Game 6 times in a row from 1958 through 1963. He was a consistent 20.0 PPG scorer for them from 1960 through 1963 and averaged a career-high 29.5 PPG in 1962. He was also awarded 3 All-NBA Second Team selections during his tenure for the Knicks and finished 7th in MVP voting in 1962 as well. In his time with the Knicks, they made the playoffs just once in 1959, where they were swept in 2 games.

The final piece to Tier 3 on the Knicks' GOAT pyramid is sharpshooter Allan Houston. Knicks fans still feel disgruntled after handing Houston a monster contract one year before his knees began to weaken, but it has been 20 years, we can let it go now. Houston was a key piece to the Knicks’ runs in the 90s, especially the 1994 and 1999 deep playoff runs. Houston was named a 2-time All-Star for the Knicks and was a 20.0 PPG scorer at his peak. In 9 seasons in New York, Houston became a New York basketball legend with his knack for delivering in the clutch and sweet 3-point shooting stroke.

Tier 2

Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Bernard King

Let me be abundantly clear, any one of these 3 players in Tier 2 can be considered the GOAT of the New York Knicks. Patrick Ewing owns every major Knicks record that one can think of. He led the Knicks to 2 Finals appearances as their franchise player in the 90s and 2000s. He was Rookie of the Year, a 7-time All-NBA Player, and an 11-time All-Star who gave his blood, sweat, and tears to the city for 15 years. The one thing that prevents him from being claimed as the GOAT of New York here today is the fact that he had ample opportunity to deliver a title to New York and fell short. Whether that’s an issue of luck, skill, or poor roster construction is up to you.

Walt Frazier is another New York basketball God who could be considered as New York’s GOAT. Frazier was one of the best two-way point guards during the 1970s for the Knicks, named to multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams during his career. He delivered 2 titles to the Knicks with his offensive and defensive domination and Game 7 of the 1970 Finals. With league MVP Willis Reed sidelined due to injury, Frazier delivered the greatest Game 7 performance in NBA Finals history. Going up against Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, Frazier had 36 points, 19 assists, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals, according to a study of the footage to deliver the championship to New York.

The final member of Tier 2 in Knicks history is none other than a man they called King. Bernard King spent just 3 seasons in New York, but in those seasons, he was one of the best players in basketball. In 1984 and 1985, King made 2 All-Star appearances with the Knicks, which included a scoring title in 1985 with 32.9 PPG. After suffering a major knee injury that cost him the entire 1986 season, King returned to New York with one of the greatest comeback seasons ever, with 22.7 PPG. He was named to the All-NBA First Team twice as well and was forever known as The King Of New York.

Tier 1

Willis Reed

Once again, if you know your basketball and Knicks history, Willis Reed should not be a controversial pick as the GOAT for the New York Knicks. Reed is the only player in Knicks history to win MVP of the NBA and Finals MVP twice. Reed is borderline mythological in the eyes of old-school Knicks fans. He is the man who took down Wilt twice with his skill and power despite the discrepancy in size and athleticism. Reed averaged 23.0 PPG and 10.5 RPG in the 1970 Finals before going down with a quad injury that was supposed to keep him out of Game 7. Being the competitor he was, he hobbled his way out to one of the loudest roars one has ever heard for a player, which inspired the Game 7 win and title. Reed was again named Finals MVP in 1973 when he averaged 16.4 PPG and 9.2 RPG. Like it or not, Willis Reed is the GOAT of the New York Knicks.