Five Greatest New York Knicks Ever – #5 Dave DeBusschere

Added by Stephen Zimkouski on August 29, 2011.

Let’s take a look at the greatest New York Knicks of all time in this five-week series as we count down to the greatest Knickerbocker of all time. These players will be ranked solely by what they did while a member of the Knicks. I’ll rank the players by considering the length of their tenure with the team, if they’re a Hall of Famer, accolades such as MVPs and All Star Games and finally if they won a championship. So with that said at #5 we have “The Hammer” Dave DeBusschere.

Had DeBusschere played his entire career as a Knick he would have had a chance to be higher on this list, probably #3. DeBusschere was acquired by the Knicks in December of the 1968-69 season and retired after the 1973-74 season. DeBusschere never averaged under 10rpg with the Knicks and posted a low of 14.6ppg and a high of 18.1ppg in his five and a half Knick seasons. During these five and a half seasons the Knicks were able to win two Championships which still remain as the only two in team history.

After reading a lot about DeBusschere and watching all video thats available he possessed a good perimeter shooting game but was more well known as a relentless defender and rebounder especially at his size of only 6’6 and 220lbs. He possessed basketball intelligence and is also regarded as the piece that the Knicks needed to win a titles at that time.

DeBusschere is a Hall of Famer and has had his number 22 jersey retired by the Knicks. DeBusschere also made five All Star games and five All-NBA first team defense honors as a Knick. Many people my age and even a few generations before me might not be as aware of DeBusschere as some other Knicks legends. However his resume of accolades speaks for itself as he is one of the greatest Knicks and NBA players of all time.