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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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LOS ANGELES - 1989: Mark Jackson #13 of the New York Knicks leads the fast break during an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1989. (Photo by: Mike Powell/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – 1989: Mark Jackson #13 of the New York Knicks leads the fast break during an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1989. (Photo by: Mike Powell/Getty Images) /

20. player. 27. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 18th overall pick from St. John’s, 1987 NBA Draft; Trade, Toronto Raptors, Feb. 22, 2001.. PG. 1987-92, 2001-02. Mark Jackson

Brooklyn prep star Mark Jackson was a reserve on St. John’s 1985 Final Four team who blossomed into an All-American as a senior, averaging nearly 19 points and more than six assists per game.

The New York Knicks took the point guard with the 18th overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft.

NYK_20_JACKSON
NYK_20_JACKSON /

Jackson was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1987-88 and an All-Star in 1989, finishing third in the league in both minutes per game and assists as a rookie.

In September 1992, the Knicks sent Jackson with a second-round pick in 1995 to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team trade, also dealing a first-round selection in 1993 to the Orlando Magic and acquiring Doc Rivers, Charles Smith and Bo Kimble from L.A.

As it turns out, Jackson wasn’t done in New York, however. In February 2001, he was reacquired along with Muggsy Bogues from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Chris Childs and a first-round pick in 2001.

His stay was short-lived, however. On draft night in 2002, Jackson was traded with Marcus Camby and the rights to seventh overall pick Nene to the Denver Nuggets for Antonio McDyess, the rights to No. 25 overall selection Frank Williams and a 2003 second-rounder.

In parts of seven seasons with the Knicks, Jackson averaged 11.1 points, eight assists, four rebounds and 1.4 steals in 30.7 minutes per game, shooting .456/.319/.743.

He was traded to the Indiana Pacers in June 1994 and to Denver in June 1996 before being sent back to the Pacers in February 1997. He led the NBA in assists in 1996-97, playing for both teams.

In August 2000, Jackson signed with Toronto as a free agent.

After leaving New York the second time, he was waived by the Nuggets in September 2002 and signed five days later with the Utah Jazz. He signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets in January 2004 and played the remainder of his final NBA season there.

Jackson is 20th in NBA history with 1,296 games, 36th with 39,121 minutes played, fourth with 10,334 assists, 30th with 1,608 steals and 15th with an average of eight assists per game.

He coached the Golden State Warriors from 2011-14, going 121-109 in the regular season and 9-10 in the playoffs.

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