Hoops Habit
Fansided

Indiana Pacers: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pacers

By Phil Watson

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 26
Next
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1980: Bill Knight #25 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball while guarded by Greg Ballard #42 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1980 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Knight played for the Pacers from 1974-77 and 1979-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Knight
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1980: Bill Knight #25 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball while guarded by Greg Ballard #42 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1980 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Knight played for the Pacers from 1974-77 and 1979-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Knight /

100. <strong>How Acquired: </strong>6th overall pick from Pittsburgh, 1974 ABA Draft; Trade, Boston Celtics, Jan. 16, 1979.. SF-SG. 1974-77, 1979-83. Billy Knight. 8. player

Billy Knight was an All-American as a senior on the wing at Pittsburgh, averaging 21.8 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.

The Los Angeles Lakers took Knight in the second round, 21st overall, in the 1974 NBA Draft.

IND_08_KNIGHT
IND_08_KNIGHT /

The

Indiana Pacers

, however, used the sixth overall pick in the 1974 ABA Draft on Knight and he signed with the Pacers in July 1974.

He was a first team ABA All-Rookie selection in 1974-75, helping Indiana to the ABA Finals, and erupted as an All-ABA player in 1975-76, earning an ABA All-Star bid in 1976.

He played like a veteran in the 1975 ABA Finals, averaging 22.8 points per game in a five-game loss to the Kentucky Colonels.

Knight was second in the ABA in both scoring and minutes per game in 1975-76.

He kept rolling after the Pacers entered the NBA in 1976, earning another All-Star nod in 1977. He was second in the league in scoring and fourth in minutes per game.

In September 1977, Knight was traded to the Buffalo Braves in exchange for Adrian Dantley and Mike Bantom.

He wasn’t gone long. In January 1979, Indiana re-acquired Knight from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Rick Robey.

Knight was traded to the New York Knicks in September 1983 in exchange for Vince Taylor and a 1984 first-round pick. The Knicks flipped him to the Kansas City Kings later the same day.

In parts of eight seasons in Indiana, Knight averaged 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.4 minutes per game, shooting .513/.250/.826.

With the Braves in 1977-78, Knight was again fourth in the league in minutes per game. After the franchise had moved in the summer of 1978 to become the San Diego Clippers, Knight was traded to the Celtics in a seven-player swap.

He was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in December 1984 and played a season in France after being waived by the Spurs in June 1985.

Knight retired after the 1985-86 season, serving as general manager for the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies from 2000-02 and in the same capacity for the Atlanta Hawks from 2003-08.

Next: Before He Was Metta, He Was A Pacer Standout

Home/Indiana Pacers