New York Knicks: Looking back at a dumpster fire draft history
The New York Knicks are a dumpster fire franchise, and you have to look no further than their abysmal draft history to realize why.
General managers of NBA teams should be forced to glance at the drafting history of the New York Knicks since 1990. It should be absolutely mandatory, making sure they understand what not to do. In fact, they would be better off trading their first-round picks for the sleeping fan in the third row.
The Knicks make a mockery of success. They laugh at the plight of their fans, all while cashing checks and hitting the Manhattan night scene. It was once a franchise steeped in tradition, ranging from their titles in 1969 and 1973 under head coach Red Holtzman to the hard-knock Knicks of the Pat Riley era. Those teams didn’t win, but Gotham adored them.
These days, New York has a different tradition. It’s one of being atrocious and seemingly trying to be all at once. Owner James Dolan is a blight on sports, proving every second of his life that a great businessman does not necessarily know anything about the sport his team plays. Dolan is a eyesore for New York sports, a brooding punchline which never fades into the night.
Over the last 25 years, New York has put together a draft history for the ages. After winning the original draft lottery and selecting Hall-of-Fame center Patrick Ewing, the Knicks have drafted like a 5-year-old hopped up on Skittles. Then again, we don’t mean to offend that kid. At least he’s trying.
Let’s run through the draft picks and show the Knicks for who they are. The worst franchise in sports.
1990 – 17th overall
Jerrod Mustaf – PF – Maryland
Despite already having a solid interior, the Knicks took Mustaf to be a partner-in-crime with Ewing. Mustaf lasted five years in the NBA with New York and the Phoenix Suns before going to play in Europe. With the Knicks, Mustaf lasted one season and averaged 4.3 points per game.
1991 – 12th overall
Greg Anthony – PG – UNLV
This was one of the better picks New York has made in the last quarter of a century. Yep, it’s that bad. Anthony was never a star, but he lasted 12 years in the NBA, including his first five with the Knicks. Anthony was a role player on the team that went to the 1994 NBA Finals, starting 36 games that year and averaging 7.9 points and 4.6 assists per game. Anthony was then taken by the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies after being left unprotected in 1995.
1992 – 20th overall
Hubert Davis – SG – North Carolina
For the second pick in a row, New York took a guard who ended up being a better commentator than player. Davis is a famous name in Madison Square Garden, but only because his was controversially fouled in the semifinals of Game 5 against the Chicago Bulls in 1994. Think Scottie Pippen and Hue Hollins. Davis lasted four years in New York, starting a total of 47 games.
1993 – No pick
1994 -24th overall
Monty Williams – SF – Notre Dame
Williams ended up being a good coach in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans, earning Coach of the Year honors in 2015 (and then somehow being fired). As a player? Terrible. Williams played in 55 total games for the Knicks before bouncing around the league as an end-of-the-bench reserve until he retired in 2003 with the Philadelphia 76ers.
1994 – 26th overall
Charlie Ward – PG – Florida State
The Heisman Trophy winner got his shot at the spotlight with the Knicks and was a decent role player. Ward helped the Knicks reach the 1999 NBA Finals during his 10 years with the blue and orange. Ward never averaged in double-figures and was mostly a bench player, but carved out a solid career for himself.
1995 – No pick
Next: 1996 ... the emotional rim-rocker