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New York Knicks: 25 Best Players To Play For The Knicks

By Phil Watson

Mar 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view as the New York Knicks are introduced before the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view as the New York Knicks are introduced before the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK - CIRCA 1981: Bill Cartwright #25 of the New York Knicks grabs a rebound against the Kansas City Royals during an NBA basketball game circa 1981 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Cartwright played for the Knicks from 1979-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Cartwright
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1981: Bill Cartwright #25 of the New York Knicks grabs a rebound against the Kansas City Royals during an NBA basketball game circa 1981 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Cartwright played for the Knicks from 1979-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Cartwright /

player. 27. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 3rd overall pick from San Francisco, 1979 NBA Draft.. C. . Bill Cartwright. 15

Bill Cartwright was a two-time All-American at San Francisco, arguably the school’s best big man since Bill Russell, and averaged more than 24 points and nearly 16 rebounds per game as a senior.

The New York Knicks, in the market for a center, made Cartwright the third overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft.

Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson /

, Cartwright was an All-Star in 1980, finishing fourth in the NBA in minutes per game.

But a balky left foot derailed his promising career, ultimately costing him the entire 1984-85 season and all but two games in 1985-86.

Cartwright returned for two more seasons before he was traded on the eve of the NBA Draft in June 1988 with first- and third-round picks in 1988 to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Charles Oakley and first- and third-round selections in 1988.

In eight seasons with the Knicks, Cartwright averaged 16.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a block in 31.3 minutes per game, shooting .552/0-for-2/.784.

Cartwright was part of three championship teams in Chicago before signing as an unrestricted free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics in September 1994. Limited to 29 games, he retired at the end of the 1994-95 season.

Cartwright was later coach of the Bulls for parts of three seasons from 2001-03, posting a record of 51-100.

He currently coaches a professional team in Japan and is also head coach for the Mexican men’s national team.

Cartwright is 42nd in NBA history with a field-goal percentage of .525.

Next: Former MVP Filled It Up

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