For me, it’s Willis Reed and it’s not close. At the time the Knicks drafted Reed they were in brutal shape. They couldn’t even make the playoffs in an era when six of the nine NBA teams made it in. Between 1956 and 1966 they made the playoffs *once*. Reed legitimized the franchise before carrying the team to its only two chips (with help of course from Clyde and a superb supporting cast). Reed has the *only* MVP in Knicks history (more than 75 years now). Ewing is a legend of course, and statistically is the best player in Knicks history. But Reed is the most important because of where the franchise was before he got there and then where he took the team
RicoGemini
I mean, I love Pat but it has to be either Reed or Clyde right?
Pat did have a massive impact but Clyde due to being our best player in our only 2 championships along with extending his Knicks career in a sense through his broadcasting connecting the old Knicks through his stories while hearing a vastly different take on the modern game.
jjazznola
It’s the truth.
admiral_aubrey
Wtf are these team logos was there an entire league rebrand I missed
Snuggle__Monster
No, it would be either Willis Reed or Walt Clyde Frazier. Now in the lottery era it would be Ewing. But those other guys won the only 2 championships we have.
It_Is_Boogie
Dwight Howard over Shaq?
rafiki3
Man, the southeast is so ass.
GruntPizzaParty
It’s Clyde. Won 2 chips and has been entertaining us during games for years. Clyde is the greatest Knick of all time.
bsanchey
Depends on how you define important
Important as a center peace Yes. He’s the only hall of famer to play for the team during his time. Without him the franchise is ass for a long time
Important in terms of contribution to a chip. Obviously not. Probably have to choose Clyde because his finals performances were clutch. But remember he played with a few HOFers and top 75 talent along side him.
blkhwk27
its frank ntilikina lets be real
xghjk
How easily we forget Knicks draft night steal Maciej Lampe
solo118
Reed, but Patrick will always have my love and respect
DrFunkensteinberg
200%. It surely ain’t Tingus fuckin Pingus
kidkuro
I’d say this list is pretty accurate. I’m sure Ja will likely end up becoming more important than Mike Conley in the near future. For the Knicks I’d say Clyde, but I’m not against it being Ewing.
DrFunkensteinberg
Karl Malone’s pick seems to be his pick
IRodeTenSpeed88
Easily
manfromfuture
Easily.
nazrmo78
Absolutely. Obviously didn’t win a title but those winning teams were just so balanced, idk it just feels different. Definitely the right way to win IMO but Ewing was a form of hero worship. The number one pick in the first lottery and the way the Knicks won it with all that excitement of getting a player that truly did dominate in college. And pretty complete coming in. Then basically carried a team of lunch pail goons, guys I love but still. Patrick was a warrior.
DerekAnderson4EVA
Yes. Ewing is the most important (started really watching in the late 80s). Hoyas to the most important media market in the NBA, and he delivered.
It’s shitty to not put NBA finals 2x, ’94 and ’99. I know he got hurt, but he was a critical part of that ’99 team bouncing back. Don’t even mention the Ewing theory. Keep that shit in Boston.
Reed and Frazier are obviously solid choices, too.
The_SqueakyWheel
Jesus we suck
Hemispheres33
Prob depends on your generation. I know I’d vote Ewing but have a lot of respect for the real old timers who were around for Clyde and Reed. Ewing leads the team in almost all individual stats but the other 2 got the hardware.
colmatrix33
With no MJ, he wins at least 1. Probably gets to 3 or 4. It’s Pat for me.
omarade2
I think it’s Clyde. He won 2 ships and was a leader on those 70s teams. You can definitely argue Willis reed for the same reasons but I think clyde’s continued work with the Knicks in the broadcast booth and how beloved he is by all fans gives him the edge.
vistaprank
That Nigga was nice what is there to say?
Skkrtt
Melo but I’m definitely biased , Ewing not a bad shout
severinks
I thi k that Clyde is the most important player who was drafted by the Knicks by results and play on the 10 years he was here but maybe Ewing was worth more over the length of his career( I just don’t think so though)
Clyde won the NBA title twice and was a7 time all star and 6 time all NBA player and 7 time all NBA defense first team in 10 years.
skwirly715
Gotta be Willis
rpmc2
Which division has the best team?
HowdyFrankenstein
Kemba Walker over Larry Johnson (#1 pick overall) for the Hornets is a nonsense take.
[deleted]
[deleted]
apocalexnow
How the hell do they list Oscar Robertson for the Kings but Brook Lopez for the Nets????
charlesfluidsmith
100% accurate
hornthecheck
I think Clyde is the correct pick but I’m not really offended by them picking Ewing. Willis too
2ShyFeet
i feel like nash over booker isnt that hot of a take
35 Comments
I think that this is not a controversial take
For me, it’s Willis Reed and it’s not close. At the time the Knicks drafted Reed they were in brutal shape. They couldn’t even make the playoffs in an era when six of the nine NBA teams made it in. Between 1956 and 1966 they made the playoffs *once*.
Reed legitimized the franchise before carrying the team to its only two chips (with help of course from Clyde and a superb supporting cast).
Reed has the *only* MVP in Knicks history (more than 75 years now).
Ewing is a legend of course, and statistically is the best player in Knicks history.
But Reed is the most important because of where the franchise was before he got there and then where he took the team
I mean, I love Pat but it has to be either Reed or Clyde right?
Pat did have a massive impact but Clyde due to being our best player in our only 2 championships along with extending his Knicks career in a sense through his broadcasting connecting the old Knicks through his stories while hearing a vastly different take on the modern game.
It’s the truth.
Wtf are these team logos was there an entire league rebrand I missed
No, it would be either Willis Reed or Walt Clyde Frazier. Now in the lottery era it would be Ewing. But those other guys won the only 2 championships we have.
Dwight Howard over Shaq?
Man, the southeast is so ass.
It’s Clyde. Won 2 chips and has been entertaining us during games for years. Clyde is the greatest Knick of all time.
Depends on how you define important
Important as a center peace Yes. He’s the only hall of famer to play for the team during his time. Without him the franchise is ass for a long time
Important in terms of contribution to a chip. Obviously not. Probably have to choose Clyde because his finals performances were clutch. But remember he played with a few HOFers and top 75 talent along side him.
its frank ntilikina lets be real
How easily we forget Knicks draft night steal Maciej Lampe
Reed, but Patrick will always have my love and respect
200%. It surely ain’t Tingus fuckin Pingus
I’d say this list is pretty accurate. I’m sure Ja will likely end up becoming more important than Mike Conley in the near future. For the Knicks I’d say Clyde, but I’m not against it being Ewing.
Karl Malone’s pick seems to be his pick
Easily
Easily.
Absolutely. Obviously didn’t win a title but those winning teams were just so balanced, idk it just feels different. Definitely the right way to win IMO but Ewing was a form of hero worship. The number one pick in the first lottery and the way the Knicks won it with all that excitement of getting a player that truly did dominate in college. And pretty complete coming in. Then basically carried a team of lunch pail goons, guys I love but still. Patrick was a warrior.
Yes. Ewing is the most important (started really watching in the late 80s). Hoyas to the most important media market in the NBA, and he delivered.
It’s shitty to not put NBA finals 2x, ’94 and ’99. I know he got hurt, but he was a critical part of that ’99 team bouncing back. Don’t even mention the Ewing theory. Keep that shit in Boston.
Reed and Frazier are obviously solid choices, too.
Jesus we suck
Prob depends on your generation. I know I’d vote Ewing but have a lot of respect for the real old timers who were around for Clyde and Reed. Ewing leads the team in almost all individual stats but the other 2 got the hardware.
With no MJ, he wins at least 1. Probably gets to 3 or 4. It’s Pat for me.
I think it’s Clyde. He won 2 ships and was a leader on those 70s teams. You can definitely argue Willis reed for the same reasons but I think clyde’s continued work with the Knicks in the broadcast booth and how beloved he is by all fans gives him the edge.
That Nigga was nice what is there to say?
Melo but I’m definitely biased , Ewing not a bad shout
I thi k that Clyde is the most important player who was drafted by the Knicks by results and play on the 10 years he was here but maybe Ewing was worth more over the length of his career( I just don’t think so though)
Clyde won the NBA title twice and was a7 time all star and 6 time all NBA player and 7 time all NBA defense first team in 10 years.
Gotta be Willis
Which division has the best team?
Kemba Walker over Larry Johnson (#1 pick overall) for the Hornets is a nonsense take.
[deleted]
How the hell do they list Oscar Robertson for the Kings but Brook Lopez for the Nets????
100% accurate
I think Clyde is the correct pick but I’m not really offended by them picking Ewing. Willis too
i feel like nash over booker isnt that hot of a take