2011 NBA Draft Lottery: Patrick Ewing and NY Knicks' 10 Best Lottery Picks Ever
As we approach the 2011 NBA draft, the New York Knicks find themselves in a situation they have not been in for a number of years.
For the first time in years, no one is grumbling about how the Knicks gave up a first-round draft pick for what turned out to be nothing of value in return.
For the first time in years, regardless of whether or not they held the rights to their own first-round pick, the Knicks are not a lottery team.
And for the first time in years, New York and its fans are not cringing at the notion of what the draft will bring.
Why?
Because for the first time in nearly a decade, the Knicks are relevant again.
No longer is the draft a do-or-die moment for them. While this year they are looking to add some rebounding prowess from the draft, absolute dependency on prospects has disappeared.
You know what this means, right?
No more Frederic Weis-like disappointments.
Knicks fans, despite the team being swept in the first round of the playoffs, should be overjoyed that this team finally has a direction, and a promising one at that.
They should be relieved that they are finally not a deservingย lottery team. We all remember the not so far gone days when the Knicks were not a lottery team but played like one.
This year, however, is a year for New Yorkย to enjoy the draft. Without the added pressure of having to draft the next Patrick Ewing, it is a time for the Knicks to breath easy.
While New York and its fans are basking in a nearly pressure-free draft day environment, why not push past failures even further toward the back of our minds by reminiscing about draft picks that actually amounted to something, even if it wasn't with the Knicks?
It's time for New York to return to the mindset of knowing the right selection will be made. The reign of Isiah Thomas may have eclipsed the Knicks' progress up until this point, but with the assurance he will never officially be affiliated with the organization again, the Donnie Walsh era begins now.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the Knicks' 10 best lottery selections of all time. For the sake of this slideshow, though the draft lottery was instituted in 1985, any player drafted by the Knicks in the top 14 of the first round is eligible.
No. 10: Greg Anthony
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The Knicks' lottery picks have been littered with mediocre players throughout history, but not so with Greg Anthony.
New York selected him 12th overall in the 1991 NBA draft out of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He had a reputation as a consistent and durable point guard who was thought to be capable of directing an offense at an NBA level.
In his first season with the Knicks heย averagedย 5.5 points and 3.8 assists per game. On his career, he only averaged 7.3 points and four assists per game, stats that do not scream game-changer.
However, while he never was an elite scorer or even a prolific passer, he was a smart player. Anthony only averaged 1.4 turnovers per game over his career, which is outstanding for a point guard.
Anthony only spent four seasons with the Knicks, but during his time in New York he did what was expected of him. No one thought he would win games on his own. No one expected him to put up 20-plus points per game.
No, the Knicks expected him to direct the offense by protecting the ball, and he did just that. So while Anthony may seem like a disappointment in the eyes of some, he was a solid basketball player, and when you look at other lottery pick flops, you find an appreciation for Anthony's game.
He was not a superstar, but he was a workhorse, both on theย Knicks and every other team he played for.
This, combined with the numerous draft-day flops that litter the Knicks' history, is enough to deem him New York's 10th-best lottery pick of all time.
No. 9: Nene Hilario
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The Knicks' ninth-best lottery pick of all time never even played a game in a New York uniform.
In the 2002 NBA draft, the Knicks drafted Nene Hilario seventh overall out of Brazil and immediately sent him to the Denver Nuggets in a trade that brought Antonio McDyess to New York.
Obviously, Denver got the better end of that deal. In his first season, Nene averaged 10.5 points, over six rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, and he showed glimpses of the type of player he could become. He provided a low-post presence and exhibited above-average defensive capability.
For his career, Nene has averaged 12.3 points, nearly seven rebounds and over one steal per game. He especially proved his worth after the Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks this past season, helping Denver remain competitive and obtain the fifth seed in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs.
What is one of the more impressive aspects of Nene's game is his shot selection. He has proven to be one of the more consistent centers in the game, shooting over 56 percent from the field for his career.
As the Knicks and their fans search for an answer at center, we cannot help but wonder what could have been with Nene. His offensive capabilities, combined with his defensive competency, are exactly what the Knicks need.
Although the Knicks never got to reap the benefits of Nene's abilities, he is still New York's ninth-best lottery pick of all time.
No. 8: Channing Frye
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Channing Frye, currently a member of the Phoenix Suns, earns the title of the eighth-greatest lottery pick in Knicks history.
New York drafted Frye eighth overall in the 2005 NBA draft out of the University of Arizona.
Frye caught the Knicks' attention as a versatile forward who was more than capable of hitting the jump shot. He made an immediate impact in his first season, averaging 12.3 points and nearly six rebounds per game.
Additionally, Frye became a glimpse of hope in a time of darkness for New York fans. He was one of the few things that Isiah Thomas did right during his failure-ridden stint with the Knicks.
As a member of the Suns, Frye has continued to do what he does best, which is knock down the open jump shot as well as boast an above-average low-post game. He has even developed into a consistent three-point shooter, appearing in the NBA's three-point competition in 2010.
Frye has taken some criticism for perhaps being too soft for his size, but he has proven to be a consistent player, with guaranteed production and a promising future.ย
For his career, he has averaged 9.5 points and over five rebounds per game. While his stats do not scream game-changer, he is an impact player. His size and ability to knock down the outside shot make him extremely dangerous on the offensive end.
The fact that he came out of the Isiah Thomas era without buckling under the pressure makes him even more enticing.
As Knicks fans find themselves longing for a competent big man to play alongside Amar'e Stoudemire, Frye has become even more sorely missed, ensuring his spot in this slideshow as theย Knicks' eighth-best lottery pick of all time.
No. 7: Michael "Sugar" Ray Richardson
4 of 10The Knicks' seventh-best lottery pick of all time is none other than Michael "Sugar" Ray Richardson.
New York drafted Richardson fourth overall in the 1978 NBA draft out of the University of Montana, where he made a name for himself as a versatile athlete with the capability of playing both guard and forward.
In his first season, Richardson only averaged 6.5 points and three assists per game. He immediately showed his defensive abilities though, averaging 1.4 steals per game in only 17 minutes of action.
Richardson came into his own in seasons to come. His best year asย a Knick came in the 1981-1982 season, when he averaged 17.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, seven assists and over two steals per game.
Over the course of his career, Richardson appeared in four All-Star games, three of which came during his tenure with the Knicks.
On his career, Richardson averaged 14.8 points, seven assists and 2.6 steals per game. His ability to come up with steals again and again drew comparisons to Knicks legend Walt "Clyde" Frazier.
He is No. 1 in franchise history in steals per game with 2.6 and second in assists per game at 7.1. Not bad for a guy who rotated time between three different positions.
Although only spending four years in a Knicks uniform, Richardson was a fan favorite. Most of his career was played outside of New York, but he got his start with the Knicks and proved he was definitely worth their draft-day selection.
Thereby ensuring his place as the seventh-greatest lottery pick in Knicks history.
No. 6: Ray Williams
5 of 10Coming in at No. 6 among the Knicks' greatest lottery picks of all time is Ray Williams.
New York drafted Williams 10th overall in the 1977 NBA draft out of the University of Minnesota, where he caught their attention as an athletic, court-savvy point guard.
In his first season, Williams averaged 9.3 points, 4.5 assists and over one steal per game, and he only improved.
His best season with the Knicks came in 1979, when he averaged 20.9 points, 6.2 assists and two steals per game. His defensive abilities overshadowed that of most point guards, and his court vision was above average.
Williams played for the Knicks for five seasons,ย from 1977-1981 and then again in the 1983-1984 season. Despite playing only half of his career for New York, he left an everlasting imprint on the organization. He is currently seventh all-time in assists averaged per game for the Knicks at 5.7 and third in steals averaged per game at 1.9.
After retiring, Williams wound homeless and living in a car, but he would forever be known as one of the tougher point guards in Knicks history.
It is this very toughness that has helped Williams rebound from his off-the-court financial struggles, as well as makes him a clear choice for one of the Knicks' greatest lottery picks of all time.
No. 5: Danilo Gallinari
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Danilo Gallinari may be one of the more controversial selections of the slideshow, but regardless, he is the fifth-best lottery pick in New York history.
New York drafted Gallinari sixth overall in the 2008 NBA draft out of Milan, Italy.
Gallinari's rookie season was marred by a season-long back injury, and he was unable to make a contribution. However, in his sophomore year, he came back and quickly proved that he was worth the wait.
Unfortunately, Knicks fans may never get to experience how great ofย a player Gallinari truly is, as he was part of a trade this past season that brought Carmelo Anthony to the Big Apple.
Before he was traded, Gallinari was averaging nearly 16 points and five rebounds per game with New York. In addition, he was on pace to become one of the best three-point and free-throw shooters in the organization's history.
In 2010, he appeared in the NBA's All-Star Weekend three-point competition.
After joining the Nuggets, Gallinari averaged 14.7 points and over five rebounds per game. He helped lead the Nuggets to a fifth-seeded playoff berth, as well as alleviate Denver's fans concern about losing Anthony.
As a member of the Knicks, Gallinari was thought to have enormous potential, which is why Denver coveted him so much. He has yet to peak that potential, but all indications are that he will come into his own as an NBA player very soon.
Gallinari's sharpshooting ability, along with the fact that he quickly became a New York fan favorite, allows him to be considered the fifth-best lottery pick in Knicks history, even though his best years will most likely not be spent in New York.
No. 4: Cazzie Russell
7 of 10Cazzie Russell, who may be somewhat unknown to many Knicks fans, takes the title of the fourth-best lottery pick in the team's history.
New York selected him first overall in the 1966 NBA draft out of the University of Michigan.
Russell made a contribution in his first season, averaging 11.3 points and over three rebounds per game. He was also a member of the first championship team the Knicks ever had, playing a pivotal role in their seven-game series against the Lakers in 1970.
Despite only spending five seasons with the Knicks, Russell made an impact on the organization. He was an above-average scorer and a very good defender while with New York. Unfortunately, his time with the Knicks was spent during the years steals and blocks were not an actual statistic, and he never matched his defensiveย prowess with any of his other teams.
Russell went on to play for the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. He made one All-Star appearance while with the Warriors in 1972.
Besides a championship, his most notable accomplishment while with the Knicks came in his rookie season, when he earned first team NBA All-Rookie honors.
For his career, Russell averaged over 15 points and nearly four rebounds per game. While nothing about Russell seems to jump at fans statistically, he was consistent and played with as much heart and determination as anyone.
He was also fun to watch, both with the Knicks andย the teams he played for after, and he was worth the first pick overall in 1966, making himย one of theย Knicks' best lottery picks of all time.
No. 3: Bill Cartwright
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The honor of being New York's third-best lottery pick of all time belongs to Bill Cartwright, who the Knicks selected third overall in the 1979 NBA draft out of the University of San Francisco.
Cartwright was effective immediately. In his first season, he averaged 21.7 points, 1.2 blocks and nearly nine rebounds per game. He provided the Knicks with an effective low-post presence who wasn't afraid to carry the defensive burden.
Once the Knicks drafted Patrick Ewing, though, Cartwright took a backseat. However, when healthy, the combination of him and Ewing was quite effective, and he was still able to make a significant contribution to the team.
Cartwright's ability to take a pounding on the inside and draw the foul could not be matched by many, and it shows, as he currently holds the sixth position on the Knicks' list of all-time free throws made.
He is also 10th on the Knicks' list of all-time leading scorers, third in field-goal percentage and second in blocked shots.
Cartwright spend eight seasons with the Knicks before moving on to the Chicago Bulls and then a short stint with the Seattle Supersonics. On his career he averaged 13.2 points, over six rebounds and nearly one block per game.
Although he only spent half of his career with the Knicks, they were his best years. He made his only All-Star game as a rookie in 1979, and his hard-fought playing style will be remembered by Knicks fans forever.
No. 2: Walt "Clyde" Frazier
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As an unofficial member of the Knicks' lottery selections, Walt "Clyde" Frazier makes the list at No. 2.
New York selected him fifth overall in the 1967 NBA draft out of Southern Illinois, which turned out to be one of the best decisions they ever made.
Frazier had a mediocre rookie season, averaging nine points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, but he truly blossomed after that.
On his career, Frazier averaged 18.9 points, over six assists, nearly six rebounds and two steals per game. He is also the Knicks' all-time assists leader, dishing out 4,791 of them during his 10-year career in New York, during which he established himself as the best point guard in Knicks history.
Additionally, Frazier helped lead the Knicks to their only two NBA championships in team history in 1970 and 1973. His Game 7 performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970 Finals propelled the Knicks to victory and their first-ever championship.
Frazier was a seven-time All-Star and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1987. His No. 10 jersey was retired by the Knicks and hangs in the rafters atย Madison Square Garden.
His flamboyant playing style, along with his determination and leaderships, makes him one of the greatest Knicksย lottery picks, albeit unofficially, of all time.
No. 1: Patrick Ewing
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As many may expect, Patrick Ewing is the No. 1 Knicks lottery pick of all time.
New York drafted him first overall in the 1985 NBA draft out of Georgetown University, and the rest is history.
In his first season, Ewing averaged 20 points, nine rebounds, over one steal and two blocks per game. He also won the 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Ewing's selection came at a time when the Knicks were desperate for answers. The Knicks were struggling, to say the least, and his selection pointed them in the right direction.
Although the Knicks never won a championshipย in his 15-year tenure, they remained consistently competitive mainly because of him. Ewingย appeared in nine All-Star gamesย asย a Knick and was the indisputable leader for New York for over a decade.
On his career, Ewing averaged 21 points, 9.8 rebounds, one steal and over two blocks per game.ย
Additionally, Ewing is the Knicks' all-time franchise leader in most statistical categories, including games and minutes played, points scored, rebounds, blocks, steals,ย field goals made and free throws made.
Ewing's contributions were further recognized when he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2008, and his jersey No. 33 was retired by the Knicks and hangs in the rafters at Madison Square Garden.
What Ewing lacks in the hardware department, he more than makes up for in his accomplishments and all that he sacrificed for the team, and his legacy will never be forgotten.
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