The New York Knicks are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. The team has had its fair share of ups and downs, especially when it comes to the NBA Draft. Over the years, the Knicks have made some excellent picks, but they have also made some disastrous ones. In this blog post, we will be discussing the Knicks' best and worst draft picks of all time.
Best Draft Picks
Patrick Ewing (1st overall pick, 1985) - Patrick Ewing is arguably the greatest player in Knicks history. He was the first overall pick in the 1985 draft and played for the Knicks for 15 seasons. Ewing led the Knicks to two NBA Finals appearances and was an 11-time All-Star.
Walt Clyde Frazier (5th overall pick, 1967) - Walt Frazier is another Knicks legend. He was a seven-time All-Star and led the Knicks to two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. Frazier was known for his flashy style on the court and was one of the best point guards of his era.
Mark Jackson (18th overall pick, 1987) - Mark Jackson had a solid NBA career, but he is best remembered for his time with the Knicks. Jackson played for the Knicks for five seasons and led the league in assists in 1997. He was also a key player on the Knicks' 1994 NBA Finals team.
Willis Reed (8th overall pick, 1964) - Willis Reed was the face of the Knicks in the 1960s and 1970s. He led the Knicks to two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973 and was named the Finals MVP both times. Reed was a seven-time All-Star and is considered one of the greatest Knicks of all time.
Worst Draft Picks
Kevin Knox (9th overall pick, 2018) - Kevin Knox was supposed to be a key piece of the Knicks' rebuilding effort when they drafted him in 2018. However, he has been a disappointment so far, averaging just 6.4 points per game over his first three seasons in the league.
Frank Ntilikina (8th overall pick, 2017) - Frank Ntilikina was supposed to be the Knicks' point guard of the future when they drafted him in 2017. However, he has been a major disappointment, averaging just 5.5 points per game over his first four seasons in the league.
Jordan Hill (8th overall pick, 2009) - Jordan Hill was supposed to be a solid NBA player when the Knicks drafted him in 2009. However, he never lived up to expectations and played just three seasons in New York, averaging 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Michael Sweetney (9th overall pick, 2003) - Michael Sweetney was a highly-touted prospect when the Knicks drafted him in 2003. However, he struggled with his weight and conditioning throughout his career and played just three seasons in New York, averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Conclusion:
The NBA Draft is a tricky business, and even the best teams make mistakes from time to time. The Knicks have had their fair share of both excellent and terrible draft picks over the years. Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Mark Jackson, and Willis Reed are among the Knicks' best draft picks of all time, while Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Jordan Hill, and Michael Sweetney are among their worst. Despite the Knicks' ups and downs in the draft, the team remains one of the most beloved franchises in NBA history.
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