Ranking The Top 75 Players in Knicks Franchise History

The 2021-22 season marked the 75th anniversary of the New York Knickerbockers franchise... So I looked back and ranked the best 75 players in the team's storied history.

The 2021-22 season marked the 75th anniversary of the New York Knickerbockers franchise. As a result, I thought it would be fun to look back and rank the best 75 players over the first 75 years of the team's storied history. I'll break this up into a three-part series, with 25 players included in each post.

So, we'll kick off the list today with players 75 through 50…

75. Xavier McDaniel

He only played one full season with the Knicks, but it would still feel wrong not to include X-Man on this list. He averaged 13.7 points and 5.6 boards in 1991-92 and was phenomenal in the postseason that year as he averaged 18.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. He earns bonus points for bullying MJ and Scottie.

74. Raymond Felton

Felton had two separate stints with the Knicks. In total, he started 189 games and averaged 13.4 points and 6.6 assists.

73. Immanuel Quickley

Since being selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, IQ has exceeded expectations in New York. He was named to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2020-21 after averaging 11.4 points while shooting a Knicks' rookie-record 89% from the free-throw stripe. Over his first 100 contests, IQ converted 221 of the 245 free throws he attempted, making him the first and only player in NBA history to attempt more than 200 FT's and shoot above 90% at the line over the first 100 games of his career. And he closed out his sophomore campaign in impressive fashion, averaging 20.8 points, 9.3 assists (vs. just 1.8 turnovers), 7.3 rebounds, and 3.0 made three-pointers over NY's final four contests.

72. Chris Childs

Childs was a starter on the 1996-97 squad, and a valuable reserve the following three seasons.

71. Kenny Walker

After starring at the University of Kentucky, Walker was selected with the fifth pick in the 1986 NBA draft. He ended up playing for five coaches in his five years with the Knicks. Interesting fact: Sky Walker won the 1989 Slam Dunk Contest even though supposed to appear. He was asked to be a last-minute replacement and agreed. Competing in the memory of his father, who had just passed away a few days earlier, he took home the title.

70. Nate Robinson

Always entertaining, Robinson was one of the greatest all-around athletes ever to wear the orange and blue. Nate was an All-American in high school in both football and basketball. He won the NBA Slam Dunk contest three times.

69. Len Chappell

Chappell played for three years in New York. His first season, 1963-64, was his best. Chappell was named to the All-Star team that year, averaging 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest.

68. Eddy Curry

Unfortunately, Curry is remembered as a disappointing underachiever due to the way his career ended. However, he had some productive seasons in NYC. From 2005 through 2008, Curry averaged 15.7 points and six rebounds per game. In December of 2006, he averaged 21.6 points and 7.9 rebounds. How about this factoid: Over the last 40 years, only four Knicks have scored at least 20 points and grabbed five rebounds in 10 or more consecutive games: Patrick Ewing, Julius Randle, Amar'e Stoudemire and … Eddy Curry.

67. Dave Stallworth

"Dave the Rave" had two solid seasons in New York before suffering a heart attack in 1967, which sidelined him for two years. He rejoined the team in 1969-70 and was a valuable contributor off the bench. When Willis Reed was injured early in Game 5 of the 1970 NBA Finals, Stallworth had the unenviable task of trying to stop Wilt Chamberlain. But Stallworth held his own, and the Knicks managed to secure the crucial victory.

66. Dean Meminger

Dean the Dream was a playground legend in NYC before ever suiting up as a professional. He played four seasons with the Knicks and was a reliable contributor off the bench during the team's title run in 1973. During the postseason that year, Meminger played in all 17 games, making 31 of 56 field-goal attempts — good for a team-leading 55.4 shooting percentage.