The Knicks are one of the least successful original NBA teams. The Warriors, and Celtics have been much more successful than the Knicks, as have NBL converts such as the Lakers, Sixers and Pistons - Even modern teams like the Spurs and Bulls have been more successful.

The lack of overall success is not to say that the Knicks have not had some good players, because they have. The Knicks in fact have had some very good NBA players.

10. Jalen Brunson: Every free agency in the modern era always begins with the story of how the Knicks are going to get the next big free agent, and than they never do. Well, one time they actually did and that was in the summer of 2022 when they landed Jalen Brunson.

Brunson, a former 2nd round pick, was coming off a spectacular playoff run with the Dallas Mavericks and signed a deal with the Knicks in 2022. The addition made the Knicks an instant contender and he has brought with him some of the best success the Knicks have seen since the 1990s.

Brunson has thus far made multiple all-star appearances with the Knicks and lead them to their first Eastern Conference Finals in over 20 season.

9. Bernard King: probably one of the biggest "what if" stories in New York Sports history. Bernard King was fantastic when he was on the court, but injuries kept him off the court and this caused the Knicks to suffer. Fans wanted to win, and the Knicks had the talent in the early 1980s to win, but drugs and injuries kept that from happening.

King played five seasons for the Knicks, well 3 injury plagued seasons, one season of six games and one season where he missed the entire season. But the three semi-healthy seasons he was spectacular. In 1985, King lead the NBA in points per game at 33 a game, but he appeared in only 55 games and missed the last half of season which sent the Knicks into a tailspin - in which they got rewarded with the #1 pick. King missed all of the 1986 season and came back for just six games in 1987.

Kings short tenure though was memorable. He scored a still NBA Christmas Day game high 55 points in a game at Madison Sqaure Garden.

8. Richie Guerin: The Leatherneck is a guy many NBA fans and few Knicks fans have heard about, but in his day he was one of the best players in the NBA and probably had more success as a Knicks player than any player in history.

Guerin played for the Knicks from 1956 until 1964, and in that time he made 3 all-NBA teams and six all-star games. He averaged over 20 points a game most seasons, including 29 in 1962.

The biggest issue as to why Guerin is not remembered is the Knicks where not very good. They were stuck in mediocrity - which is what lead to the team trading him to St Louis midway through the 1964 season.

7. Earl Monroe: Earl "The Pearl" Monroe was added to an already good Knicks roster midway through the 1972 season and his impact was immediate.

Monroe was paired in the backcourt with Walt Frazier making one of the most dynamic backcourts in NBA history. Most NBA historians agree that this backcourt is a top 10 backcourt in NBA history. The two came together to lead the Knicks to the 1973 NBA championship, their second 3 seasons and the last title the Knicks have won.

Monroe found his home in New York and played nine season with the Knicks before retiring in 1980. He was a 2 time all-star with the Knicks and retired 2nd in assists and 3rd in points.

6. Bill Bradley: Dollar Bill Bradley was another member of the 70s Knicks championship teams, and the quintessential glue guy.

Bradley's accolades are not as great as some others on this list, but he is one of the most well-rounded players in NBA history and was the guy that would do whatever it took to win.

Bradley would play 10 seasons with the Knicks, while winning two NBA championships and making an all-star team. He retired the all-time leader in games played, and top 5 in points, and rebounds. But Bill Bradley may be most remembered for being a Congressman where he served several terms in the United States Congress and had an unsuccesful run for the White House in 2000.

5. Carl Braun: The Greatest Knick you have never heard of. Braun was a star who cut his NBA career short to servce in the US Military. His military service may have also cost the Knicks a dynasty. The Knicks made 3 consecutive NBA finals from 1951-53, but Braun missed two of them due to his military service.

Braun was a five time all-star for the Knicks, but as the Celtics dynasty grew he could not get his team over the hump.

Braun retired the Knicks all-time leader in every statistical category.

4. Carmelo Anthony: Melo gave the Knicks hope after almost a decade of being terrible. The Knicks acquired Anthony in a mid-season trade with the Denver Nuggets and he immediately turned around the franchise.

The 2013 season was Melo's and the Knicks best season together, and the Knicks best season since the mid 90s. Melo averaged 28 points a game, was third in MVP voting and lead the Knicks to their first playoff series victory since 2000.

Melo was a scoring machine, but lacked other aspects of the game, which ultimately cost the Knicks a chance at taking the next step.

Anthony played six and a half seasons in New York where he averaged over 22 points a game in each of them. He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017.

When he was traded, Carmelo Anthony was top 10 in Knicks history in points, and minutes played.

3. Walt Frazier: Frazier is one of the most beloved New York sports personalities ever. Selected 5th overall in the 1967 draft, Frazier struggled at first only averaging 9 points a game as a rookie.

Frazier found his stride in his second year and became one of the best two-way guards in NBA history. He averaged 18 points a game and made the NBA's all-defensive team in his sophmore season.

Frazier made his first all-star and all-NBA team in 1970 and guided the Knicks to their firt NBA title. In 1972 he was paired with Earl Monroe to make one of the best backcourts in NBA history.

Frazier played with the Knicks until 1977 when he signed with the Cavaliers. He left the Knicks as a 7 time all-star, 6 time all-NBA team member, 7 time all NBA defensive team member, 2 time NBA champion, and the 1975 NBA all-star game MVP.

2. Willis Reed: The Captain is the most accomplished Knicks player ever, and it isn't even close. He is the franchises only MVP award winner, a 2 time NBA finals MVP, a 2 time NBA champion, a 7 time NBA all-star, 1965 Rookie-of-the-year winner, 5 time all NBA, and a top 75 player of all-time. And of course, he immortalized by limping into game 7 vs the Lakers in the 1970 NBA finals to give his team the boost they needed to win their first NBA title.

Weather-or-not it was a conspiracy is still up for debate, but what isn't up for debate is Patrick Ewing's greatness. Ewing was the star the Knicks needed, and he lived up to the billing. Not many players can handle the bright lights of New York City, but Ewing certainly did.

Ewing won rookie-of-the-year in 1986 and helped the Knicks become perennial playoff team for most of the 1990s.

Ewing, like some many other players of the 1990s, had the same problem that prevented them from winning an NBA championship - Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks, however, are one of two teams (Orlando Magic) that did defeat the Bulls in the playoffs in the 1990s. Ewing lead the Knicks to a victory over the Bulls in 1994, en route to the NBA finals. The Knicks would lose in 7 games to the Houston Rockets in one of the best playoff series of all-time.

The Knicks would make it back to the NBA finals in 1999, but Ewing was injured and missed most the playoffs.

Ewing would retire after two season away from the Knicks, as an 11 time NBA all-star, 7 time all-NBA team member, 3 time all NBA defensive team member, a member of the 75th anniversary team, an original Dream Team Member, and the Knicks all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocks.