New York Knicks: Top 5 Small Forwards In Team History

By Gustavo Braga

New York Knicks: Top 5 Small Forwards In Team History

1973 Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks — Despite the fact that the New York Knicks haven't won a NBA Championship in over 40 years, the team has had some success over this gap. Today, we take a look at the top five small forwards in Knicks' history; one for each decade since the 1973 world championship.

5. Latrell Sprewell

New York Knicks

5. Latrell Sprewell

New York Knicks — Known for his basketball talent as much as his tendency to have problems off the court, the four-time All-Star Sprewell was part of the 1999 Knicks roster that led the team to the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. A versatile swingman, he was able to score consistently and guard the perimeter unlike anyone else in his time. Kawhi Leonard meets JR Smith would be a good comparison. His jersey can still be seen at the Garden to this day.

4. Bernard King

Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony - Press Conference

4. Bernard King

Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony - Press Conference — Four-time All-Star Hall-of-Famer Bernard King was one of New York's few hopes during the '80s. The 1985 scoring champion held the franchise record for most points in a game until Carmelo Anthony (his biggest fan) surpassed him earlier this year. The Brooklyn native forward averaged 22.5 points per game and is still regarded as one of the Knicks' greatest of all-time.

3. Carmelo Anthony

carmelo anthony chicago Bulls

3. Carmelo Anthony

carmelo anthony chicago Bulls — In every Kung-Fu movie, the student eventually tops his master, and in 2014 Anthony did just that when he broke Bernard King's record for points in a game. Now Anthony hopes to take the Knicks to the long lost NBA Championship. A proven assassin offensively, he is still working on his leadership, but with Phil Jackson pointing the way over the next five years, he might be the last hope for the Knicks to succeed this decade.

2. Larry Johnson

larryjohnson

2. Larry Johnson

larryjohnson — With a shelf full of accomplishments before even going professional, Larry Johnson was selected first overall in the 1991 NBA Draft. He spent half of his career in New York, where he led the team to the Finals in 1999 alongside Patrick Ewing. A force to be reckoned with on the court, the stretch forward was a two-time All-Star and averaged 16.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 3.3 APG. He was a great leader, but had to retire early due to back problems.

1. Bill Bradley

2014 NBA Finals Game Five

1. Bill Bradley

2014 NBA Finals Game Five — Bill Bradley's basketball I.Q. was unparalleled. A graduate from Princeton and Oxford, he was drafted by the Knicks in 1965, but only signed a contract in 1967. After a brief stint as a guard, he was eventually moved to the forward position -- Bradley was the starting small forward for the 1970 and 1973 NBA Championships. An NBA All-Star, he used his influence to benefit his community and build the foundations for his successful political career.

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New York Knicks

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