New York Knicks: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

1. Patrick Ewing (C) — No. 1 overall pick in 1985 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Knicks):  1039 GP, 22.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 STL, 3.2 BLK, 3.2 TOV, 50.8 FG%, 15.6 3P%, 74.2 FT%

The new head coach for the Georgetown Hoyas is also without much dispute the top draft pick in Knicks franchise history. Putting aside all the conspiracy talk regarding the “frozen envelope” during the 1985 NBA Draft Lottery, Ewing was just what the franchise needed to become a contender.

Ewing would go on to win Rookie of the Year, garner 11 NBA All-Star selections and lead the Knicks to two Eastern Conference championships.

The 1993-94 season was such an iconic year for many Knicks fans, as Ewing was able to dominate throughout the season and finally defeat the Chicago Bulls (who were without Michael Jordan, but still) in the playoffs.

The team came up short in the 1994 NBA Finals, losing a thrilling seven-game series against Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets, probably Ewing’s best shot a title.

The final year of Ewing’s Knicks career was injury-plagued and dominated by management criticism that he was too old to play at a fast pace.

The frustration led to his trade to the Seattle SuperSonics, abruptly ending his career with the franchise. The decision still haunts Ewing, as he shared last year during an interview with The Vertical.

"“In looking back at it, I should’ve stayed. But after 15 years of hearing all the same things. ‘The team is better off without him,’ or hear rumbles in the locker room from your teammates that, ‘We’re better off without him,’ you know, you just get sick and tired of it. And I think that was what happened. You hear all the rumblings back then that we need to run, play faster. We need to run, do this, do that. They’re better off without him. So I’m like, you know what? Just let me go. Go be better off without me. “I decided enough was enough and I asked for a trade. After, what’s this now? What? 13, 14 years later? And I wish I hadn’t have done it, I should’ve ended my career there. The whole experience was great. It was a great experience, a great run. I love the people in New York. They showed that they love me. It was disappointing that I didn’t finish it there.”"

Next: Lakers - Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

Patrick Ewing is the Knicks’ all-time leader in career points, rebounds, blocks, steals, and games played, firmly securing his spot atop this list.