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Willis Reed and the Icing on the Cake, 1970

So through it all, one shining fact evolves. Basketball and Willis Reed are so entwined, the two are one.

Forward Thinking, 1971

Dave DeBusschere was a defensive stopper who could take the air out of opponents with his physical brand of ball.

The Knicks—Pro Basketball’s Next Dynasty

Red Holzman criticized Willis Reed unmercifully in the early days. The team captain was generally the target when Holzman screamed: “Don’t turn your head . . . get back . . . pick up your man.” The Knick coach knew Willis had the temperament to handle the abuse while the other players learned the biggest and the smallest [players] would get the same treatment.

The Dark Side of the Knicks, 1970

The collaborative magic that the world champion basketball team, the New York Knicks, showed over the course of last season suggested an uncommon togetherness among men. As in any business, though, the affinity that existed was more professional than personal.

The Knicks Bench: Best Seat In Town

Call them the Bench That Never Is, since they play far too much and far too well to be termed reserves. They are the All-Americas and the All-Nobodies who have become the catalysts behind the chemical detonation known as the New York Knicks.

Cazzie Russell: Can He Make It in the Pros?

The next Oscar Robertson, a John Havlicek, or just plain Cazzie Russell, the Knicks got themselves a player who is strictly theatre in a basketball suit.

Guarding Lenny Wilkens

Anyone remember watching the great Lenny Wilkens play? Here’s NBA legend Archie Clark on the challenges of guarding then-number 14 in a red St. Louis Hawks jersey.

Pete Maravich: The Battle to Earn the Pros’ Respect

“I’ve always coped with pressure,” he was saying. “My Dad taught me a lot. He always told me, “Never get bigger than the game of basketball.” So I try to keep my cool and be nice to everybody.”

Pete Maravich and Some Wild Fruit Salad

They’re dressed up like some wild fruit salad, but don’t let the uniform fool you. The Atlanta Hawks are more swat than swish.

The Pistol and The Pressure

Pete Maravich, uptight but still able to laugh at himself, admits that unless he calms down soon, “I may have to get my stomach pumped out before games, same as I get my ankles taped.”