New York Knicks: Top 12 Enemies in Franchise History

In its 60-plus year history, the New York Knicks franchise has developed more than its fair share enemies.

The Knicks are never short on rivals, and consequently there are many individuals, both from the past and present, who generate universal feelings of opposition throughout all of New York.

And while most of the organization's adversarial relations are products of the opposition, more than one of their greatest antagonists were originally one of their own.  

From players on the hardwood, to coaches on the sidelines, to the brass upstairs, the Knicks' history is laden with just as many villains as heroes. 

Kobe Bryant

Since Kobe Bryant entered the league, New York is 9-21 against Los Angeles, and up until the Knicks' most recent victory, they had lost nine straight at the hands of the Black Mamba-led Lakers.

Bryant is notorious for putting up incredible numbers against the Knicks, especially at Madison Square Garden, where he was good for 61 points back in 2009.

While the Garden crowd has exhibited a tepid appreciation for his accolades over the years, the feeling of inadequacy Bryant instills when he takes the court against orange and blue is not something easy to forgive.

And neither is the elbow to the chest of fan-favorite Chris Childs, who retaliated with two blows to Bryant's face.

The Knicks' distaste for Bryant may not be as publicly prevalent as some of the others we are about to see, but make no mistake, he's a villain in the eyes of New York. 

Larry Bird

Larry Bird aggravated many different teams over the course of his career, but only a handful as much as the Knicks.

Prior to the Knicks' matchup against the Boston Celtics during the 2011 postseason, the two sides had not met in the playoffs in over 20 years, a time span New York welcomed.

The Bird-led Celtics met the Knicks three different times in the postseason, prevailing on two occasions, including their 1984 championship run.

While New York knocked Boston out of the playoffs in 1990, their victory hardly served as redemption. Bird exploited the Knicks on many different occasions, and a postseason victory at the tail-end of his career was not enough to completely eradicate the bitter taste that lingered from 1984 and 1988.

P.J. Brown

In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, P.J. Brown of the Miami Heat viciously flipped the Knicks' Charlie Ward, ensuring himself a spot amongst the greatest enemies in the history of the franchise.

Brown had a reputation for playing dirty, but this one got out of hand and instigated an all-out brawl that resulted in multiple suspensions.

More than a decade later, the Knicks and their fans have not forgotten, as his villainous role in that one postseason series is largely responsible for making the New York-Miami rivalry what it is today.

Odds are, should he step foot in the Garden even 10 years from now, a plethora of angry fans, and boos, will greet him. 

LeBron James

Somewhat ironically, LeBron James was once a beloved athlete throughout New York.

As the Knicks embarked on a two-year pursuit of the self-proclaimed King, fans and even team personnel offered nothing but praise on James' behalf.

But then he opted not only to take his talents elsewhere, but to South Beach, where he would become a member of an arch nemesis in the Heat. All support of James quickly subsided, and New York was left with nothing but feelings of hatred.

The Knicks went on to assemble a different docket of superstars but had so much invested in James that The Decision was just as despised in New York as it was in Cleveland.

Somehow, James managed to burn bridges that were never even built, and it's less than unlikely he will ever be welcomed back to the Garden with the same open arms.

Unless, of course, he exercises his eventual opt-out clause with Miami.

Pat Riley

LeBron James was not the first to spurn New York for Miami, as he took a page out of former Knicks' head coach Pat Riley's book.

Riley's decision to take his talents to South Beach was much worse though, as he actually left the New York franchise to do so. 

Riley's escape to Miami is a huge part of why the Heat and Knicks have become such bitter rivals. His appearance on the sidelines taunted all of New York for more than a decade, and his time spent as the face of the front office has had a similar effect.

And now, Riley is not only the man who abandoned the franchise but also the man who helped orchestrate the assembly of Miami's big three, in essence luring James away from the Big Apple, ensuring he remains an enemy of the franchise for life.

Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon is notoriously hated throughout New York thanks to his MVP display during the 1994 NBA Finals.

The Knicks were within a victory of a title entering Game 6, but Olajuwon played spoiler in the worst way. With New York down by two, the ball was in-bounded to John Starks. He had what appeared to be a good look from beyond the arc, but Olajuwon's wing-span prevailed, blocking the attempt and forcing a Game 7, which Houston went on to win.

Not only did Olajuwon out-perform Patrick Ewing on his way to the Finals MVP award, but he ruined what turned out to be Ewing's most legitimate shot at obtaining a championship ring. For that, feelings of ill will only became more prevalent upon Ewing's ringless retirement.

As long as the Knicks are waiting for an end to their championship drought, the distaste for Olajuwon will continue to grow. 

Wilt Chamberlain

Let's be honest, Wilt Chamberlain put the Knicks on the wrong side of the record books as he played his way toward a feat that will perhaps never be matched.

When Chamberlain dropped 100 points on the Knicks back in 1962, he earned himself a more than prominent spot in NBA history. He also earned himself a spot amongst the eternally hated from the city of New York.

The Big Apple hates to lose on any occasion, but it absolutely despises becoming a stepping stone to a record-breaking performance.  

Bill Russell

Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA titles over the course of his 13-year career, including two playoff series victories over the Knicks themselves.

How many championships did New York win while Russell was in the league? Zero. In fact, they struggled to stay relevant at all, let alone contend for a ring.

Russell, one of the greatest ever to play the game, was a force on the court unlike any other. And much like Michael Jordan, the Knicks were never able to find an answer for him.

His excessive number of championships while the franchise watched from the sidelines solidified his spot on the Knicks' all-time greatest enemies list. 

Alonzo Mourning

Alonzo Mourning tantalized the Knicks in the paint for almost a decade but is most hated for his role in the 1998 postseason brawl.

Not only did Mourning take shots at both Larry Johnson and Charles Oakley, but he did so while dragging then Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, who was clinging to his leg, with him.

Mourning and Johnson were promptly suspended for the series-deciding Game 5, paving the way for an easy Knicks victory, but the organization hasn't forgotten about his antics.

The Heat-Knicks rivalry reached its peak in the mid-to-late 1990's, and Mourning's fierce, and often volatile, nature played a huge role in making it as significant as it was.

Throughout his career, 'Zo was a perennial instigator, but he took the most pleasure in antagonizing the Knicks.   

Isiah Thomas

After nearly a decade spent in the NBA's basement, the Knicks are relevant once again, no thanks to Isiah Thomas.

Over five brutally long years, Thomas managed to drag the New York franchise's name through countless miles of mud. His poor judge of talent coupled with his tendency to offer and take on unwarranted contracts put the Knicks in a salary cap hell they have only recently escaped.

Thomas' knack for controversy wasn't confined to the hardwood either. He was also accused of sexual harassment by a former Madison Square Garden employee.

To this day, fans still cringe at the mention of his name. And unfortunately for them, he's the curse that keeps on cursing, because as a close friend of Knicks' owner James Dolan, the door will always remain slightly open for a possible return.

Should such a day ever come, it's likely all of New York will take to the street to protest. 

Reggie Miller

Reggie "The Knick Killer" Miller tantalized the entire franchise for most of his 18-year career.

The dagger that stands out most, of course, is his eight points in 11 seconds escapade during Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

With just over 18 seconds remaining, the Knicks held a 105-99 lead. Miller hit a three to make it 105-102 and then immediately stole New York's in-bounds pass, proceeding to knock down another three to tie the game.

After John Starks missed a pair of free throws and Patrick Ewing bricked a point-blank jump shot, Miller was fouled and sent to the line. Before heading to the charity stripe, though, Miller took it upon himself to taunt lifelong Knicks fan Spike Lee and the rest of the Garden crowd.

And then he hit both free throws to give Indiana the victory.

Nearly 20 years later, the franchise has not forgotten those painful moments. Nor have they forgotten the plethora of other game-clinching shots he hit against the Knicks.

And they never will.  

Michael Jordan

The Knicks never defeated a Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls team in the postseason, though they had plenty of opportunities.

Over an eight-year span, the Knicks and Bulls met in the postseason six times, with Chicago going 5-1 in those series-long contests.

The year New York came out on top? It was 1994, and Jordan was in the middle of his first temporary retirement.

Jordan is perhaps best known for dropping 55 points on the Knicks at the Garden during his 1994-1995 comeback campaign. His Airness had a penchant for exploiting New York on its home floor, and his success at the world's most famous arena is rivaled only by Kobe Bryant's.

The Knicks' inability to take down the Bulls on a consistent basis during the Jordan era, coupled with his incessant tongue-wagging, are past realities that New York would like to erase from its memory.

Yet they will remain embedded in the heads of each and every fan, player, coach and staff member.

Forever.

Follow @danfavale