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NBA: Who is the best duo from each franchise’s history

By Christopher Jeter

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bob Olen/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Olen/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty Images) /

Best duo from New York Knicks: Walt Frazier and Willis Reed

If we widened the scope to off-court, current New York Knicks owner James Dolan’s unbelievable hubris and stupidity would win this spot in a landslide, and for good reason. No matter which players, coaches, or front office personnel are under contract, none of them have overcome the boneheaded decisions Dolan has made since buying the team in 1999.

It wasn’t always like this, though. There was a time when the Knicks were the NBA’s darlings and not a catastrophe that makes Stephen A. Smith go through the five stages of grief in a 5-minute span. For those glory days, we have to journey back to the 1970s.

In a time before Dolan and needing (possibly) fixed lotteries to return to prominence, the Knicks were the class of the league during the early half of that decade, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals five times, the NBA Finals three times and winning the title twice. Those teams featured plenty of strong contributors, but point guard Walt “Clyde” Frazier and center Willis Reed filled the starring roles on the Madison Square Garden stage.

Frazier, who the Knicks took fifth overall in the 1967 draft, played with a style that was only matched by his off-court wardrobe. The future Knicks color analyst hustled and bustled on both ends of the court, pick-pocketing unsuspecting guards and delivering sweet dimes to his teammates.

Mix that in with Reed fortressing the paint, strongarming defenders on the block and knocking down mid-range shots and you get a duo that combined for .194 WS/48 and led the Knicks to the franchise’s high point.