Every NBA team’s Mount Rushmore
By Ian Levy
New York Knicks
Patrick Ewing was an athletic and dominating big man who led the Knicks for 15 seasons. The Hall-of-Famer won Rookie of the Year, made 11 All-Star teams, seven All-NBA teams, and three All-Defensive Teams. Although he never brought a title to New York, Ewing led the Knicks to the playoffs 13 teams, including two appearances in the NBA Finals.
Walt Frazier played 10 seasons in New York and helped the Knicks to their only two championships in franchise history. Frazier is remembered for his style on and off the court, and his prodigious vocabulary as an announcer. He made seven All-Star teams and seven All-Defensive teams. Frazier is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, and only Ewing has scored more points for the Knicks.
Willis Reed played his entire 10-year career with the Knicks, and was a key member of both the 1970 and 1973 title-winning teams. Reed averaged 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game for New York. His dramatic insertion into the starting lineup for Game 7 of the 1970 Finals helped swing the emotional momentum for New York and is one of the most memorable moments in league history.
Charles Oakley helped define the Knicks of the late 1990s with his rugged defense and physical play around the basket. He never posted the most eye-popping statlines but his presence allowed Ewing and the other Knicks to thrive. Only Frazier and Ewing have played more minutes in a Knicks uniform and Oakley’s mean mug may as well be the team’s logo.