1969–70 New York Knicks season

1969–70 New York Knicks season
NBA champions
Division champions
Head coachRed Holzman
General managerEddie Donovan
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record60–22 (.732)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Lakers 4–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWOR–TV 9
(Bob Wolff)
Manhattan Cable Television
(Bob Wolff and Marty Glickman)
RadioWHN–AM 1050
(Marv Albert)
< 1968–69 1970–71 >

The 1969–70 New York Knicks season was the 24th season of NBA basketball in New York City. The Knicks had a then single-season NBA record 18 straight victories en route to 60–22 record, which was the best regular season record in the team's history. They set the record for the best start in the first 24 games of a season at 23–1 before the Golden State Warriors surpassed it in 2015. After defeating the Bullets in the Eastern Division semifinals and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Division finals, the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games to capture their first NBA title.

The 1969–70 Knicks are considered to be among New York City's finest sporting championship teams, and are considered the greatest team in Knicks history and among the best in NBA history. Their journey was chronicled in various books and films, most recently in When the Garden was Eden for ESPN's 30 for 30 series.

NBA draft

Main article: 1969 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 11 John Warren G/F  United States St. John's
2 26 Bill Bunting F/C  United States North Carolina
3 40 Eddie Mast G  United States Temple
4 54 Elnardo Webster  United States Saint Peter's College
5 68 Gene Littles  United States High Point
6 82 Dwight Durante  United States Catawba College
7 96 Chris Thomforde  United States Princeton
8 110 Jim Healey  United States Rockhurst
9 124 Roger Walaszak  United States Columbia
10 138 Frank McLaughlin  United States Fordham
11 152 Marvin Lewis  United States Long Island University, Southampton Campus
12 165 Bill O'Rourke  United States St. John Fisher College
13 177 James Wyatt  United States Northwestern State
14 186 Rich Travis  United States Oklahoma City

Roster

1969–70 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
SG 12 Barnett, Dick 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1936–10–02 Tennessee State
C 17 Bowman, Nate 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1945–03–19 Wichita State
SF 24 Bradley, Bill 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1943–07–28 Princeton
PF 22 DeBusschere, Dave 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1940–10–16 Detroit Mercy
PG 10 Frazier, Walt 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1945–03–29 Southern Illinois
PF 20 Hosket, Bill Jr. 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1946–12–20 Ohio State
PF 18 Jackson, Phil (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1945-09-17 North Dakota
SF 5 May, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1946–01–03 Dayton
C 19 Reed, Willis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1942–06–25 Grambling State
SG 6 Riordan, Mike 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1945–07–09 Providence
SF 33 Russell, Cazzie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1944–06–07 Michigan
SF 9 Stallworth, Dave 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1941–12–20 Wichita State
SG 16 Warren, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1947–07–07 St. John's
Head coach
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 1970–05–08

Pre season

Game log

1969–70 Pre Season Game Log
September/October
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record

All times are EASTERN time

Regular season

Standings

Eastern Division
 W L PCT GB
x-New York Knicks 60 22 .732 –
x-Milwaukee Bucks 56 26 .683 4
x-Baltimore Bullets 50 32 .610 10
x-Philadelphia 76ers 42 40 .512 18
Cincinnati Royals 36 46 .439 24
Boston Celtics 34 48 .415 26
Detroit Pistons 31 51 .378 29
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1969–70 NBA records
Team ATL BAL BOS CHI CIN DET LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO SDR SFW SEA
Atlanta — 2–4 6–0 5–2 3–3 3–3 4–3 3–3 4–2 3–3 2–4 4–2 5–2 4–2
Baltimore 4–2 — 5–2 5–1 4–3 5–2 4–2 3–3 1–5 3–4 3–3 6–0 2–4 5–1
Boston 0–6 2–5 — 3–3 3–3 4–3 2–4 1–6 4–3 2–4 2–4 4–2 5–1 2–4
Chicago 2–5 1–5 3–3 — 3–3 3–3 4–2 4–2 0–6 3–3 5–2 3–4 4–2 4–3
Cincinnati 3–3 3–4 3–3 3–3 — 4–2 2–4 2–5 2–5 4–3 3–3 4–2 2–4 1–5
Detroit 3–3 2–5 3–4 3–3 2–4 — 3–3 1–6 1–6 1–5 3–3 3–3 3–3 3–3
Los Angeles 3–4 2–4 4–2 2–4 4–2 3–3 — 3–3 2–4 4–2 3–4 5–2 5–2 6–0
Milwaukee 3–3 3–3 6–1 2–4 5–2 6–1 3–3 — 2–4 5–2 6–0 6–0 4–2 5–1
New York 2–4 5–1 3–4 6–0 5–2 6–1 4–2 4–2 — 5–2 6–0 5–1 5–1 4–2
Philadelphia 3–3 4–3 4–2 3–3 3–4 5–1 2–4 2–5 2–5 — 4–2 4–2 6–0 0–6
Phoenix 4–2 3–3 4–2 2–5 3–3 3–3 4–3 0–6 0–6 2–4 — 7–0 3–3 4–3
San Diego 2–4 0–6 2–4 4–3 2–4 3–3 2–5 0–6 1–5 2–4 0–7 — 5–2 4–2
San Francisco 2–5 4–2 1–5 2–4 4–2 3–3 2–5 2–4 1–5 0–6 3–3 2–5 — 3–4
Seattle 2–4 1–5 4–2 3–4 5–1 3–3 0–6 1–5 2–4 6–0 3–4 2–4 4–3 —

Game log

1969–70 Game Log (60–22) (Home: 30–11; Road: 27–10; Neutral: 3–1)
October (9–1) (Home: 6–1; Road: 3–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
1 October 14, 1969 Seattle 126–101 Madison Square Garden 1–0
2 October 15, 1969 @ Cincinnati 94–89 Cincinnati Gardens 2–0
3 October 17, 1969 @ Chicago 116–87 Chicago Stadium 3–0
4 October 18, 1969 Los Angeles 99–96 Madison Square Garden 4–0
5 October 21, 1969 Phoenix 140–116 Madison Square Garden 5–0
6 October 23, 1969 San Francisco 109–112 Madison Square Garden 5–1
7 October 24, 1969 @ Detroit 116–92 Cobo Center 6–1
8 October 25, 1969 Baltimore 128–99 Madison Square Garden 7–1
9 October 28, 1969 Atlanta 128–104 Madison Square Garden 8–1
10 October 30, 1969 San Diego 123–110 Madison Square Garden 9–1
November (14–1) (Home: 6–1; Road: 7–0; Neutral: 1–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
11 November 1, 1969 Milwaukee 112–108 Madison Square Garden 10–1
12 November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee 109–93 MECCA Arena 11–1
13 November 4, 1969 @ Phoenix 116–99 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12–1
14 November 7, 1969 @ San Diego 129–111 San Diego Sports Arena 13–1
15 November 9, 1969 @ Los Angeles 112–102 The Forum 14–1
16 November 11, 1969 @ San Francisco 116–103 Cow Palace 15–1
17 November 13, 1969 Chicago 114–99 Madison Square Garden 16–1
18 November 15, 1969 Boston 113–98 Madison Square Garden 17–1
19 November 18, 1969 Cincinnati 112–94 Madison Square Garden 18–1
20 November 21, 1969 @ Philadelphia 98–94 The Spectrum 19–1
21 November 22, 1969 Phoenix 128–114 Madison Square Garden 20–1
22 November 25, 1969 Los Angeles 103–96 Madison Square Garden 21–1
23 November 26, 1969 @ Atlanta 138–108 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 22–1
24 November 28, 1969 vs. Cincinnati
(at Cleveland, OH)		 106–105 Cleveland Arena 23–1
25 November 29, 1969 Detroit 98–110 Madison Square Garden 23–2
December (10–5) (Home: 5–3; Road: 4–2; Neutral: 1–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
26 December 2, 1969 Seattle 129–109 Madison Square Garden 24–2
27 December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore 116–107 Baltimore Civic Center 25–2
28 December 6, 1969 Milwaukee 124–99 Madison Square Garden 26–2
29 December 9, 1969 Cincinnati 101–103 Madison Square Garden 26–3
30 December 10, 1969 @ Milwaukee 96–95 MECCA Arena 26–3
31 December 11, 1969 @ Seattle 105–112 Seattle Center Coliseum 27–4
32 December 13, 1969 Philadelphia 93–100 Madison Square Garden 27–5
33 December 16, 1969 Atlanta 124–125 (OT) Madison Square Garden 27–6
34 December 19, 1969 @ Chicago 108–99 Chicago Stadium 28–6
35 December 20, 1969 Baltimore 128–91 Madison Square Garden 29–6
36 December 25, 1969 Detroit 112–111 Madison Square Garden 30–6
37 December 26, 1969 @ Los Angeles 106–114 The Forum 30–7
38 December 27, 1969 vs. Seattle
(at Vancouver, BC)		 119–117 Pacific Coliseum 31–7
39 December 28, 1969 @ Phoenix 135–116 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 32–7
40 December 30, 1969 Chicago 116–96 Madison Square Garden 33–7
January (12–4) (Home: 4–1; Road: 7–3; Neutral: 1–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
41 January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee 105–118 MECCA Arena 33–8
42 January 3, 1970 Boston 104–111 Madison Square Garden 33–9
43 January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore 129–99 Baltimore Civic Center 34–9
44 January 7, 1970 @ San Francisco 99–94 Cow Palace 35–9
45 January 9, 1970 @ San Francisco 123–93 Cow Palace 36–9
46 January 10, 1970 @ San Diego 115–123 San Diego Sports Arena 36–10
47 January 12, 1970 vs. Phoenix
(at Salt Lake City, UT)		 130–114 Salt Palace Acord Arena 37–10
48 January 16, 1970 @ Detroit 104–102 Cobo Center 38–10
49 January 18, 1970 @ Boston 102–109 Boston Garden 38–11
50 January 23, 1970 @ Chicago 120–117 Chicago Stadium 39–11
51 January 24, 1970 San Diego 127–114 Madison Square Garden 40–11
52 January 25, 1970 @ Boston 102–96 Boston Garden 41–11
53 January 27, 1970 Boston 133–100 Madison Square Garden 41–11
54 January 29, 1970 Detroit 127–106 Madison Square Garden 43–11
55 January 30, 1970 @ Philadelphia 104–100 The Spectrum 44–11
56 January 31, 1970 Chicago 123–104 Madison Square Garden 45–11
February (9–4) (Home: 6–2; Road: 3–2)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
57 February 1, 1970 @ Detroit 117–111 Cobo Center 46–11
58 February 3, 1970 San Francisco 118–98 Madison Square Garden 47–11
59 February 4, 1970 @ Atlanta 96–111 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 47–12
60 February 6, 1970 @ Cincinnati 135–92 Cincinnati Gardens 48–12
61 February 7, 1970 Cincinnati 121–114 Madison Square Garden 49–12
62 February 11, 1970 Boston 118–125 (OT) Madison Square Garden 49–13
63 February 13, 1970 @ Philadelphia 151–106 The Spectrum 50–13
64 February 14, 1970 Philadelphia 116–114 Madison Square Garden 51–13
65 February 17, 1970 Los Angeles 114–93 Madison Square Garden 52–13
66 February 21, 1970 Atlanta 106–122 Madison Square Garden 52–14
67 February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore 104–110 Baltimore Civic Center 52–15
68 February 24, 1970 Phoenix 121–105 Madison Square Garden 53–15
69 February 28, 1970 Baltimore 115–101 Madison Square Garden 54–15
March (6–7) (Home: 3–3; Road: 3–3; Neutral: 0–1)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
70 March 3, 1970 San Francisco 115–100 Madison Square Garden 55–15
71 March 6, 1970 San Diego 107–103 Madison Square Garden 56–15
72 March 7, 1970 @ Philadelphia 111–104 The Spectrum 57–15
73 March 8, 1970 Philadelphia 116–133 Madison Square Garden 57–16
74 March 10, 1970 Seattle 117–99 Madison Square Garden 58–16
75 March 13, 1970 vs. Seattle
(at Portland, OR)		 103–115 Memorial Coliseum 58–17
76 March 14, 1970 @ San Diego 119–103 San Diego Sports Arena 59–17
77 March 15, 1970 @ Los Angeles 101–106 The Forum 59–18
78 March 17, 1970 @ Detroit 122–106 Cobo Center 60–18
79 March 18, 1970 Milwaukee 108–116 Madison Square Garden 60–19
80 March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta 102–110 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 60–20
81 March 21, 1970 Cincinnati 120–136 Madison Square Garden 60–21
82 March 22, 1970 @ Boston 112–115 Boston Garden 60–22
1969–70 Schedule

All times are EASTERN time

Playoffs

1970 playoff game log
Division Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 March 26 Baltimore W 120–117 Willis Reed (30) Dave DeBusschere (24) Walt Frazier (8) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		1–0
2 March 27 @ Baltimore W 106–99 Willis Reed (27) Willis Reed (17) Frazier, Barnett (6) Baltimore Civic Center
12,289 		2–0
3 March 29 Baltimore L 113–127 Walt Frazier (24) Dave DeBusschere (10) Walt Frazier (5) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		2–1
4 March 31 @ Baltimore L 92–102 Walt Frazier (25) Willis Reed (15) Walt Frazier (7) Baltimore Civic Center
12,289 		2–2
5 April 2 Baltimore W 101–80 Willis Reed (36) Willis Reed (36) Walt Frazier (6) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		3–2
6 April 5 @ Baltimore L 87–96 Walt Frazier (18) Willis Reed (16) Walt Frazier (5) Baltimore Civic Center
12,289 		3–3
7 April 6 Baltimore W 127–114 DeBusschere, Barnett (28) Willis Reed (14) Walt Frazier (8) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		4–3
Division Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 11 Milwaukee W 110–102 Willis Reed (24) Dave DeBusschere (10) Bill Bradley (6) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		1–0
2 April 13 Milwaukee W 112–111 Willis Reed (36) Willis Reed (19) Walt Frazier (14) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		2–0
3 April 17 @ Milwaukee L 96–101 Willis Reed (21) Reed, DeBusschere (10) Walt Frazier (7) Milwaukee Arena
10,746 		2–1
4 April 19 @ Milwaukee W 117–105 Willis Reed (26) Walt Frazier (11) Dick Barnett (8) Milwaukee Arena
10,746 		3–1
5 April 20 Milwaukee W 132–96 Willis Reed (32) Dave DeBusschere (11) Walt Frazier (6) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		4–1
NBA Finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 24 Los Angeles W 124–112 Willis Reed (37) Reed, DeBusschere (16) Dick Barnett (9) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		1–0
2 April 27 Los Angeles L 103–105 Willis Reed (29) Willis Reed (15) Walt Frazier (11) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		1–1
3 April 29 @ Los Angeles W 111–108 (OT) Willis Reed (38) Willis Reed (17) Walt Frazier (7) The Forum
17,500 		2–1
4 May 1 @ Los Angeles L 115–121 (OT) Dick Barnett (29) Dave Stallworth (13) Walt Frazier (11) The Forum
17,509 		2–2
5 May 4 Los Angeles W 107–100 Walt Frazier (21) Cazzie Russell (8) Walt Frazier (12) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		3–2
6 May 6 @ Los Angeles L 113–135 Dave DeBusschere (25) Dave DeBusschere (9) Dick Barnett (8) The Forum
17,509 		3–3
7 May 8 Los Angeles W 113–99 Walt Frazier (36) Dave DeBusschere (7) Walt Frazier (19) Madison Square Garden
19,500 		4–3
1970 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player Games Played Games Started Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Willis Reed 81 3089 702 351 1126 161 1755
Walt Frazier 77 3040 600 409 465 629 1609
Dick Barnett 82 2772 494 232 221 298 1220
Dave DeBusschere 79 2627 488 176 790 194 1152
Bill Bradley 67 2098 413 145 239 268 971
Cazzie Russell 78 1563 385 124 236 135 894
Dave Stallworth 82 1375 239 161 323 139 639
Mike Riordan 81 1677 255 114 194 201 624
Nate Bowman 81 744 98 41 257 46 237
Bill Hosket 36 235 46 26 63 17 118
John Warren 44 272 44 24 40 30 112
Don May 37 238 39 18 52 17 96
Knicks 82 19730 3803 1821 4006 2135 9427
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dick Barnett 82 33.8 6.0 2.8 2.7 3.6 14.9
Nate Bowman 81 9.2 1.2 0.5 3.2 0.6 2.9
Bill Bradley 67 31.3 6.2 2.2 10.0 2.5 14.5
Dave DeBusschere 79 33.3 6.2 2.2 10.0 2.5 14.6
Walt Frazier 77 39.5 7.8 5.3 6.0 8.2 20.9
Bill Hosket 36 6.5 1.3 0.7 1.8 0.5 3.3
Don May 37 6.5 1.1 0.5 1.4 0.5 2.6
Willis Reed 81 38.1 8.7 4.3 13.9 2.0 21.7
Mike Riordan 81 20.7 3.1 1.4 2.4 2.5 7.7
Cazzie Russell 78 20.0 4.9 1.6 3.0 1.7 11.5
Dave Stallworth 82 16.8 2.9 2.0 3.9 1.7 7.8
John Warren 44 6.2 1.0 0.5 0.9 0.7 2.5
New York Knicks 82 240.6 46.4 22.2 48.9 26.0 115.0

Opponents

Vs. Atlanta

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 293 282 130 694
Hawks 6 293 279 122 680

Vs. Baltimore

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 254 127 710
Bullets 6 288 236 135 607

Vs. Boston

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 7 341 302 180 784
Celtics 7 341 281 192 754

Vs. Chicago

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 292 113 697
Bulls 6 288 223 156 602

Vs. Cincinnati

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 7 336 313 163 789
Royals 7 336 271 171 713

Vs. Detroit

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 7 336 317 162 796
Pistons 7 336 290 158 738

Vs. Los Angeles

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 254 127 635
Lakers 6 288 236 135 607

Vs. Milwaukee

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 277 100 654
Bucks 6 288 252 125 629

Vs. Philadelphia

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 7 336 309 178 789
76ers 7 336 294 163 751

Vs. Phoenix

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 310 150 770
Suns 6 288 246 172 664

Vs. San Diego

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 294 132 720
Rockets 6 288 232 200 664

Vs. San Francisco

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 274 132 680
Warriors 6 288 228 144 600

Vs. Seattle

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 6 288 283 133 699
SuperSonics 6 288 240 173 653

Total

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Opponents 82 19730 3308 2062 8682
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
New York Knicks 82 240.6 40.3 25.1 105.9

Playoffs

Player Games Played Games Started Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Willis Reed 18 732 178 351 70 51 426
Dick Barnett 19 714 131 59 39 64 321
Dave DeBusschere 19 701 130 45 220 46 305
Walt Frazier 19 834 118 68 149 156 304
Bill Bradley 19 616 100 35 72 60 235
Cazzie Russell 19 306 80 18 47 16 178
Dave Stallworth 19 275 61 15 77 20 137
Mike Riordan 19 296 53 25 46 27 131
Nate Bowman 18 128 18 7 44 6 43
Bill Hosket 5 29 4 3 5 2 11
Don May 2 7 2 0 3 2 4
John Warren 10 22 2 0 3 2 4
Knicks 19 4660 877 345 950 450 2099
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dick Barnett 19 37.6 6.9 3.1 2.1 3.4 16.9
Nate Bowman 18 7.1 1.0 0.4 2.4 0.3 2.4
Bill Bradley 19 32.4 5.3 1.8 3.8 3.2 12.4
Dave DeBusschere 19 36.9 6.8 2.4 11.6 2.4 16.1
Walt Frazier 19 43.9 6.2 3.6 7.8 8.2 16.0
Bill Hosket 5 5.8 0.8 0.6 1.0 0.4 2.2
Don May 10 3.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0
Willis Reed 18 40.7 9.9 3.9 13.8 2.8 23.7
Mike Riordan 19 15.6 2.8 1.3 2.4 1.4 6.9
Cazzie Russell 19 16.1 4.2 0.9 2.5 0.8 9.4
Dave Stallworth 19 14.5 3.2 0.8 4.1 1.1 7.2
John Warren 2 2.2 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.4
New York Knicks 19 256.3 48.3 18.8 51.8 24.2 115.6

Opponents

1970 NBA Eastern Division Semifinals: vs. Baltimore

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 7 346 307 137 746
Bullets 7 346 286 163 735

1970 NBA Eastern Division Finals: vs. Milwaukee

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 5 240 238 91 567
Bucks 5 240 208 99 515

1970 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks 7 346 332 122 786
Lakers 7 346 302 176 780

Total

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Opponents 19 922 796 438 2030
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
New York Knicks 19 48.5 41.9 23.1 106.8

Media

Local TV

Date Opponent Channel
October 15, 1969 @ Cincinnati WOR-TV
October 17, 1969 @ Chicago WOR-TV
October 24, 1969 @ Detroit WOR-TV
November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV
November 26, 1969 @ Atlanta WOR-TV
December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
December 10, 1969 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV
January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
February 4, 1970 @ Atlanta WOR-TV
March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta WOR-TV
March 27, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
March 31, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
April 17, 1970 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV

Some New York Knicks TV Games never aired on WOR-TV because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL).

Local Cable TV

Date Opponent Cable TV
October 14, 1969 Seattle Manhattan Cable Television
October 18, 1969 Los Angeles Manhattan Cable Television
October 21, 1969 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television
October 23, 1969 San Francisco Manhattan Cable Television
October 25, 1969 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
October 28, 1969 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television
October 30, 1969 San Diego Manhattan Cable Television
November 1, 1969 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
November 22, 1969 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television
December 6, 1969 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
December 16, 1969 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television
December 20, 1969 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
February 21, 1970 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television
February 24, 1970 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television
February 28, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
March 18, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
March 26, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
April 2, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
April 6, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
April 13, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
April 20, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television

National TV

Date Opponent Network Play-by-play Color analyst
January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee ABC
February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore ABC
March 29, 1970 Baltimore ABC
April 5, 1970 @ Baltimore ABC
April 11, 1970 Milwaukee ABC
April 19, 1970 @ Milwaukee ABC
April 24, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
April 27, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 4, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 8, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman

Local Radio

Date Opponent Flagship station
October 14, 1969 Seattle WHN
October 17, 1969 @ Chicago WHN
October 18, 1969 Los Angeles WHN
October 21, 1969 Phoenix WHN
October 23, 1969 San Francisco WHN
October 24, 1969 @ Detroit WHN
October 25, 1969 Baltimore WHN
October 28, 1969 Atlanta WHN
October 30, 1969 San Diego WHN
November 1, 1969 Milwaukee WHN
November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee WHN
December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore WHN
December 6, 1969 Milwaukee WHN
December 16, 1969 Atlanta WHN
December 20, 1969 Baltimore WHN
January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN
January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
February 21, 1970 Atlanta WHN
February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
February 28, 1970 Baltimore WHN
March 18, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta WHN
March 26, 1970 Baltimore WHN
March 27, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
March 29, 1970 Baltimore WHN
March 31, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
April 2, 1970 Baltimore WHN
April 6, 1970 Baltimore WHN
April 11, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
April 13, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
April 17, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN
April 19, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN
April 20, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
April 24, 1970 Los Angeles WHN
April 27, 1970 Los Angeles WHN
April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN
May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN
May 4, 1970 Los Angeles WHN
May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN
May 8, 1970 Los Angeles WHN

Some New York Knicks radio games never aired on WHN because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL).

National Radio

Date Opponent Network Play-by-play Color analyst
April 24, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
April 27, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 4, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 8, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff

Public Address Announcer

Madison Square Garden PA Announcer
John Condon

Transactions

Transactions listed are from July 1, 1969, to June 30, 1970.

1970 NBA Expansion Draft

May 11, 1970 To Buffalo Braves
Bill Hosket
Don May
To Cleveland Cavaliers
John Warren

Trades

June 20, 1970 To Buffalo Braves
Nate Bowman
Mike Silliman
for cash

Awards and records

Player/Coach Award
Willis Reed NBA Most Valuable Player Award
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
All-NBA First Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
Walt Frazier All-NBA First Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
Dave DeBusschere NBA All-Defensive First Team
Red Holzman NBA Coach of the Year Award

20th NBA All-Star Game

Main article: 1970 NBA All-Star Game

New York Knicks NBA All-Star representatives at the 1970 NBA All-Star Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at The Spectrum.

Player Team Position Minutes Points Field Goals FGA Free Throws FTA Rebounds Assists Personal Fouls
Dave DeBusschere (Eastern Conference All-Stars) F 14 10 5 10 0 0 7 2 1
Walt Frazier (Eastern Conference All-Stars) G, Starter 24 7 3 7 1 2 3 4 2
Willis Reed
MVP 		(Eastern Conference All-Stars) C, Starter 30 21 9 18 3 3 11 0 6
Coach Team
Red Holzman (Eastern Conference All-Stars) Head Coach

NBA finals

Without question, the defining moment in the series occurred in Game 7, where an injured Reed limped onto the court right before the start of the game.

On a re-creation of that moment, Marv Albert described it: "Here comes Willis! The crowd is going wild! Willis passes the scorers table, he grabs a basketball. The Lakers have stopped (shooting), the Lakers are watching Willis!"

He scored the game's first two baskets and proceeded not to score for the remainder of the game. Contrary to popular lore, he did not sit out after his first two baskets, but remained on the floor for 27 minutes. Despite his lack of scoring after his first four points, Reed's heroics inspired the team, and they won the game by a score of 113–99. The entire starting line up for the 69–70 Knicks had their jerseys retired by the New York Knicks. The jerseys of Walt Frazier (#10), Willis Reed (#19), Dave DeBusschere (#22), Bill Bradley (#24), and Dick Barnett (#12) all hang from the rafters at Madison Square Garden. Reed walking on to the court was voted the greatest moment in Madison Square Garden history.

Game Date Result Site Series
Game 1 April 24 (Fri.) New York Knicks 124, Los Angeles Lakers 112 @ New York Knicks lead, 1 game to 0
Game 2 April 27 (Mon.) Los Angeles Lakes 105, New York Knicks 103 @ New York Series tied, 1 game each
Game 3 April 29 (Wed.) New York Knicks 111, Los Angeles Lakers 108 @ Los Angeles Knicks lead, 2 games to 1
Game 4 May 1 (Fri.) Los Angeles Lakers 121, New York Knicks 105 @ Los Angeles Series tied, 2 games each
Game 5 May 4 (Mon.) New York Knicks 107, Los Angeles Lakers 100 @ New York Knicks lead, 3 games to 2
Game 6 May 6 (Wed.) Los Angeles Lakers 135, New York Knicks 113 @ Los Angeles Series tied, 3 games each
Game 7 May 8 (Fri.) New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99 @ New York Knicks win, 4 games to 3

Knicks win series 4–3

References