Where 2013 Knicks' Roster Ranks in Franchise's Top-10 Star-Studded Squads

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

The New York Knicks have put together a formidable roster, prominently featuring Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. 

New York has always had one of the best fanbases in the league, even if the team's history hasn't been as littered with success as you might expect. 

So, how does this current squad rank among the best in Knicks' history? 

Read on to find out. 

10. 2012-2013 New York Knicks

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Record: Unknown

Playoffs: Unknown

Stars: Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler

 

We don't know yet how successful this team will be, but the current manifestation of the New York Knicks is poised to have a great year. 

Carmelo Anthony is on fire at the Olympics and ready to lead this team in scoring yet again as he strives to prove that he's capable of leading the Knicks deep into the playoffs.

Amar'e Stoudemire should have a near-All-Star campaign if he's healthy, and Tyson Chandler will follow up his Defense Player of the Year selection by shutting down the paint once more. 

With Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd running the show at the point, the Knicks have a solid rotation at point guard, and the bench is deeper than ever. 

New York has won only one playoff game in the past decade, but that total is going to be exceeded and then some at the conclusion of this campaign. 

9. 1950-1951 New York Knicks

Photo credit to Sports Illustrated

Record: 36-30

Playoffs: Lost in NBA Finals to Rochester Royals

Stars: Harry Galatin, Dick McGuire

 

The earliest of the great New York Knicks squads in NBA history, the 1950-1951 team beat the Boston Celtics and Syracuse Nationals in the playoffs before falling to Arnie Risen, Bob Davies and the Rochester Royals in the NBA Finals. 

Harry Galatin was the dominant force for this early version of the Knicks, averaging 12.8 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. 

The league was filled with parity after contraction had disbanded the Anderson Packers, Chicago Stags, Denver Nuggets, Sheboygan Red Skins, St. Louis Bombers and Waterloo Hawks. It got even smaller once the Washington Capitols called it quits during the middle of the season. 

New York's 36-30 record may not look all that impressive at first glance, but it was because the talent was distributed throughout the league. 

8. 1951-1952 New York Knicks

Photo credit to NY Times

Record: 37-29

Playoffs: Lost in NBA Finals to Minneapolis Lakers

Stars: Harry Galatin, Nathaniel Clifton, Connie Simmons, Dick McGuire

 

Even though Max Zaslovsky led the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game, the New York Knicks were led by the walking double-double known as Harry Gallatin. 

The Knicks only finished third in the Eastern Division, but they advanced through the playoffs until running into the juggernaut that was the Minneapolis Lakers. 

George Mikan was just too much to handle in the end, even if the Knicks did force the series to a seventh game. 

7. 1998-1999 New York Knicks

David Taylor/Getty Images

Record: 27-23

Playoffs: Lost in NBA Finals to San Antonio Spurs

Stars: Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston

 

During the lockout-shortened 1998-1999 season, the New York Knicks capitalized on the retirement of Michael Jordan and ran through the Eastern Conference playoffs en route to an NBA Finals series with the San Antonio Spurs.

Impressively, they managed to become the first No. 8 to advance to the Finals. 

Patrick Ewing wasn't quite the MVP candidate that he once was, but he still paced the team with 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

6. 1999-2000 New York Knicks

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Record: 50-32

Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference Finals to Indiana Pacers

Stars: Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston

 

Playing through the turn of the century, the New York Knicks had a solid lineup from top to bottom during this season. It was enough for them to win 50 games, but not enough to get by Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. 

Patrick Ewing was clearly in the declining portion of his career, as he finished only third in scoring, trailing both Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston. 

It was the last season in which Ewing would put on a Knicks jersey, as he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics before the start of the next season. 

5. 1993-1994 New York Knicks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Record: 57-25

Playoffs: Lost in NBA Finals to Houston Rockets

Stars: Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, Johns Starks

 

Even though Charles Oakley took a major step forward once his playing time increased from the 1992-1993 season, the New York Knicks weren't quite as good as they were the year before. 

Sure, they made it to the NBA Finals, where they would go down in seven games to the Houston Rockets, but that was due in large part to the conspicuous absence of Michael Jordan. 

A career-high in scoring from John Starks and a continuously dominant Patrick Ewing tend to make for a pretty good season. 

4. 1992-1993 New York Knicks

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

Record: 60-22

Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference Finals to Chicago Bulls

Stars: Patrick Ewing, John Starks

 

Patrick Ewing was easily the most dominant player for the 1992-1993 New York Knicks as he had one of the best seasons of his career. 

The center averaged a sensational 24.2 points and 12.1 rebounds per game and helped the team tie the record for most wins in franchise history. 

They couldn't get past Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs, but not many teams in the early '90s could. 

3. 1952-1953 New York Knicks

Photo credit to NY Daily News

Record: 47-23

Playoffs: Lost in NBA Finals to Minneapolis Lakers

Stars: Harry Gallatin, Carl Braun, Nathaniel Clifton

 

Behind Harry Gallatin's 12.4 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, Carl Braun's team-high 14.0 points and 3.5 assists per game and Nathaniel Clifton's double-doubles, this early New York Knicks team dominated most of its competition. 

They couldn't get past George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA Finals, though, falling in five games to the preeminent dynasty of the early portion of the sport's history. 

2. 1972-1973 New York Knicks

Photo credit to ESPN

Record: 57-25

Playoffs: Won NBA Finals over Los Angeles Lakers

Stars: Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Earl Monroe, Willis Reed, Jerry Lucas

 

The 1972-1973 New York Knicks squad featured a number of stars and was one of just two teams in the franchise's history to win a title. 

However, they didn't reach the same level of dominance as the other title-winner, falling three games short of the regular-season mark for most wins. 

1. 1969-1970 New York Knicks

Photo credit to NY Post

Record: 60-22

Playoffs: Won NBA Finals over Los Angeles Lakers

Stars: Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Barnett, Bill Bradley

 

The best team in New York Knicks history, this squad was just one of two to complete the march to an NBA title. 

Between Walt Frazier's epic game to close out the NBA Finals and Willis' Reed's limp out of the tunnel, there are quite a few historic moments produced by this team. 

With Reed winning the team's only MVP award and the squad as a whole producing a franchise-record 60 wins, this is the clear the best team in the history of the Knicks.