Walt “Clyde” Frazier certainly knows something about greatness. Widely considered one of the greatest Knicks ever, Frazier led the Knicks to their only two championships in franchise history. Alongside Willis Reed, Frazier helped the Knicks win the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 1970 and 1973. The duo was instrumental in the greatest stretch in Knicks history, and they are considered legends in the Garden. Praise from Clyde is something that Knicks players covet, and Frazier did not hold back when talking about Jalen Brunson during the Fanatics Fest on Friday.
Knicks Legend Lauds Brunson As Potential All-Time Knick
“The expectations are always overwhelming,” Frazier said. “So, to rise to that occasion his first two years and accept that challenge, catapulted the team, he’s definitely got a chance to be one of the greatest Knicks ever.”
That’s high praise from an icon. Frazier was named to both the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary teams and was named to six All-NBA teams in his heyday. The Knicks retired Frazier’s jersey in 1979, and he was inducted into the HOF in 1987.
Greatest Knicks Ever
Let’s say to be one of the greatest of anything, you have to be top five at least. So in no particular order, here are some of the greatest Knicks players of all-time: Walt Frazier, Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, Carmelo Anthony, and Earl Monroe. For Brunson to break into most people’s top three of Frazier, Reed, and Ewing, he will require at least a decade of sustained dominance and a ring with the Knicks.
For him to enter the group of DeBusschere, Anthony, and Monroe is simpler. That will take sustained greatness on both levels: individual and team. DeBusschere and Monroe were both key pieces on the championship teams while Anthony had insane individual numbers. But none of these guys were the best player on a championship team.
How does Brunson Become One Of The Greatest Knicks Ever?
The path forBrunson to become a part of Knicks folklore is fairly straightforward. Brunson will turn 28 before the season starts. He is currently a one-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA member. If he is named to six-plus All-Star and All-NBA teams as part of the Knicks, while leading them to deep playoff runs consistently, he will go down in history as perhaps the fourth best Knick ever.
Breaking into the top three will require more hardware. Each of those players made the NBA finals at least twice. Ewing made the finals twice, losing to the Rockets in 1994 and the Spurs in 1999. Reed and Frazier won their rings together. Despite the increased competitiveness in this era, Brunson has teammates that can help him win a championship. The Knicks are one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, and they play in the weaker conference.
The Last Word on Clyde Frazier’s Comments On Jalen Brunson
Frazier’s comments on Brunson are indicative of the influx of hope that the franchise is seeing after almost ten-plus years of little success. There is this supernatural belief that Brunson is the promised one. He will lead the Knicks to glory, and everything he has done seems to justify that.
