Fansided

Every NBA team’s greatest draft pick of all time

By Dre Elder

Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) celebrate after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. The Spurs beat the Heat 104-87 to win the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) celebrate after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. The Spurs beat the Heat 104-87 to win the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: Class of 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame inductees (L-R) Dawn Staley, Bernard King, Gary Payton and Jerry Tarkanian stand on the court as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2013 Class Announcement is made during the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship between the Michigan Wolverines and the Louisville Cardinals at the Georgia Dome on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: Class of 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame inductees (L-R) Dawn Staley, Bernard King, Gary Payton and Jerry Tarkanian stand on the court as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2013 Class Announcement is made during the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship between the Michigan Wolverines and the Louisville Cardinals at the Georgia Dome on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame) /

Bernard King was one of the most prolific scorers in an era rife with prolific scorers. King thrived in the shadows of Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Dominique Wilkins to name a few. King used his size, athleticism, and aggression to devastate opponents. He had little trouble getting to his spots on the floor.

The New York Nets selected Bernard King seventh overall in the 1977 NBA Draft. During King’s debut season, he averaged 24.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game to make the All-Rookie team. Yet, the Nets traded him to the Utah Jazz following his second season citing a need for more rebounding. But King only played 19 games with the Jazz during the 1979-80 season before facing felony sexual assault charges. According to a report by Peter Richmond, King pleaded to misdemeanor charge after passing several lie detector tests about the night in question.

Bernard King reached the height of his powers as a member of the New York Knicks. King led the NBA in scoring with 32.9 points per game for the 1984-85 campaign. But, King suffered a catastrophic right leg injury late in that season which jeopardized his career. The Washington Bullets gave him a chance to complete his miraculous comeback. King averaged 28.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game as a 34-year-old in his final full NBA season.

Bernard King was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. He averaged 22.5 points on 51.8 percent shooting for his career. King was the subject of the 2013 ESPN 30 for 30 film, Bernie and Ernie.

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