While town boasts the Yankees, Mets, and Giants, New York City has at all times been a basketball city. Madison Square Garden is usually known as The Mecca of Basketball. And regardless of many years of shedding, Knicks followers caught round and are actually having fun with the present profitable crew led by Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. The crew has a proud historical past and has featured legendary gamers through the years. Here are among the finest Knicks rookie playing cards which you could add to your assortment.
Walt Frazier 1969 Topps
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New York chosen Walt Frazier with the fifth general choose within the 1967 draft. Little did the franchise know that the purpose guard would play for and work for the crew for many years. After his Hall of Fame taking part in profession, Frazier started working as an announcer for the crew in 1987, a place he holds on to this present day.
On the courtroom, Frazier remains to be thought of one of many best lead guards to ever play the sport. A 7-time All-Star, Frazier was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1987. The Knicks’ solely rookie card seems within the 1969 Topps Set and sells for between $1,000 and $1,500 in PSA 8 situation.
Willis Reed 1969 Topps
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Three years earlier than drafting Walt Frazier, the Knicks chosen Willis Reed from Grambling State. Reed wouldn’t solely develop into a Hall of Fame stage participant, he would additionally develop into the center and soul of the franchise. While he solely performed 10 seasons, Reed would play in 7 All-Star video games and win the 1970 MVP Award.
The heart’s most well-known second was popping out to play Game 7 of the 1970 Finals regardless of a torn thigh. Like Frazier, Reed’s rookie card comes within the 1969 Topps set. A PSA 8 copy of the cardboard usually sells for between $700 and $800.
Bernard King 1978 Topps
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Bernard King didn’t start or end his profession with the Knicks, however the ahead stays one of many franchise’s most beloved gamers. King performed in New York from 1982 via 1987, making 3 All-Star groups and profitable the league scoring title in 1985.
A grotesque knee harm suffered within the mid-80s stalled his profession, although he was ultimately capable of got here again and common 28 factors a recreation for the Wizards in 1991. King’s 1978 Topps rookie card sells for between $200 and $300 in PSA 9 situation.
Patrick Ewing 1986 Fleer
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While the Knicks loved important success within the late 60s and early 70s, that they had a tough decade main as much as the mid-80s. That modified in 1985 when New York received the draft lottery and the prospect to draft Georgetown heart Patrick Ewing.
The heart would go on to develop into one of many best all-time Knicks. While he by no means received a title, Ewing made 11 All-Star groups and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Ewing’s 1986 Fleer rookie card sells for $500ish in a PSA 9.
Carmelo Anthony 2003 Topps Chrome
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Like Bernard King, Carmelo Anthony didn’t start or finish his profession with the Knicks. Ironically, Anthony lived in New York till he was 8 and was a giant fan of King. Anthony was traded to the Knicks in 2011 and made the All-Star recreation each season he spent in New York.
While Carmelo’s groups by no means received massive whereas he was in New York, he’s nonetheless fondly remembered by Knicks followers. When he enters the Hall of Fame, it’s seemingly that his playing cards will go up in worth. One of his hottest points is his Topps Chrome Rookie which sells for $200 in a PSA 10.
*Any perceived funding recommendation is that of the freelance blogger and doesn’t signify recommendation on behalf of GoCollect.
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