1969–70 New York Knicks season

The 1969–70 New York Knicks season was the 24th season of NBA basketball in New York City. The Knicks had a then single-season NBA record 18 straight victories en route to 60–22 record, which was the best regular season record in the team's history. They set the record for the best start in the first 24 games of a season at 23–1 before the Golden State Warriors surpassed it in 2015. After defeating the Bullets in the Eastern Division semifinals and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Division finals, the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games to capture their first NBA title.

1969–70 New York Knicks season
NBA champions
Division champions
Head coachRed Holzman
General managerEddie Donovan
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record6022 (.732)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Lakers 4–3)

Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWOR–TV 9
(Bob Wolff)
Manhattan Cable Television
(Bob Wolff and Marty Glickman)
RadioWHN–AM 1050
(Marv Albert)

NBA Draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 11 John Warren C  United States St. John's
2 26 Bill Bunting F/C  United States North Carolina
3 40 Eddie Mast G  United States Temple
4 54 Elnardo Webster  United States Saint Peter's College
5 68 Gene Littles  United States High Point
6 82 Dwight Durante  United States Catawba College
7 96 Chris Thomforde  United States Princeton
8 110 Jim Healey  United States Rockhurst
9 124 Roger Walaszak  United States Columbia
10 138 Frank McLaughlin  United States Fordham
11 152 Marvin Lewis  United States Long Island University, Southampton Campus
12 165 Bill O'Rourke  United States St. John Fisher College
13 177 James Wyatt  United States Northwestern State
14 186 Rich Travis  United States Oklahoma City

Roster

Roster listing
1969–70 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
SG 12 Barnett, Dick 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1936–10–02 Tennessee State
C 17 Bowman, Nate 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1945–03–19 Wichita State
SF 24 Bradley, Bill 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1943–07–28 Princeton
PF 22 DeBusschere, Dave 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1940–10–16 Detroit
PG 10 Frazier, Walt 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1945–03–29 Southern Illinois
PF 20 Hosket, Bill, Jr. 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1946–12–20 Ohio State
PF 18 Jackson, Phil  (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1945-09-17 North Dakota
SF 5 May, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1946–01–03 Dayton
C 19 Reed, Willis (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1942–06–25 Grambling State
SG 6 Riordan, Mike 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1945–07–09 Providence
SF 33 Russell, Cazzie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1944–06–07 Michigan
SF 9 Stallworth, Dave 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1941–12–20 Wichita State
SG 16 Warren, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1947–07–07 St. John's
Head coach

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 1970–05–08

Pre season

Game log

1969–70 Pre Season Game Log

All times are EASTERN time

Regular season

Standings

Eastern Division W L PCT GB
x-New York Knicks 6022.732
x-Milwaukee Bucks 5626.6834
x-Baltimore Bullets 5032.61010
x-Philadelphia 76ers 4240.51218
Cincinnati Royals 3646.43924
Boston Celtics 3448.41526
Detroit Pistons 3151.37829
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1969–70 NBA records
Team ATL BAL BOS CHI CIN DET LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO SDR SFW SEA
Atlanta 2–46–05–23–33–34–33–34–23–32–44–25–24–2
Baltimore 4–25–25–14–35–24–23–31–53–43–36–02–45–1
Boston 0–62–53–33–34–32–41–64–32–42–44–25–12–4
Chicago 2–51–53–33–33–34–24–20–63–35–23–44–24–3
Cincinnati 3–33–43–33–34–22–42–52–54–33–34–22–41–5
Detroit 3–32–53–43–32–43–31–61–61–53–33–33–33–3
Los Angeles 3–42–44–22–44–23–33–32–44–23–45–25–26–0
Milwaukee 3–33–36–12–45–26–13–32–45–26–06–04–25–1
New York 2–45–13–46–05–26–14–24–25–26–05–15–14–2
Philadelphia 3–34–34–23–33–45–12–42–52–54–24–26–00–6
Phoenix 4–23–34–22–53–33–34–30–60–62–47–03–34–3
San Diego 2–40–62–44–32–43–32–50–61–52–40–75–24–2
San Francisco 2–54–21–52–44–23–32–52–41–50–63–32–53–4
Seattle 2–41–54–23–45–13–30–61–52–46–03–42–44–3

Game log

1969–70 Game Log (60–22) (Home: 30–11; Road: 27–10; Neutral: 3–1)
1969–70 Schedule

All times are EASTERN time

Playoffs

1969–70 NBA Playoffs Game Log (12–7) (Home: 9–2; Road: 3–5)
1969–70 Schedule

All times are EASTERN time

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player Games Played Games Started Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Willis Reed81308970235111261611755
Walt Frazier7730406004094656291609
Dick Barnett8227724942322212981220
Dave DeBusschere7926274881767901941152
Bill Bradley672098413145239268971
Cazzie Russell781563385124236135894
Dave Stallworth821375239161323139639
Mike Riordan811677255114194201624
Nate Bowman81744984125746237
Bill Hosket3623546266317118
John Warren4427244244030112
Don May372383918521796
Knicks821973038031821400621359427
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dick Barnett8233.86.02.82.73.614.9
Nate Bowman819.21.20.53.20.62.9
Bill Bradley6731.36.22.210.02.514.5
Dave DeBusschere7933.36.22.210.02.514.6
Walt Frazier7739.57.85.36.08.220.9
Bill Hosket366.51.30.71.80.53.3
Don May376.51.10.51.40.52.6
Willis Reed8138.18.74.313.92.021.7
Mike Riordan8120.73.11.42.42.57.7
Cazzie Russell7820.04.91.63.01.711.5
Dave Stallworth8216.82.92.03.91.77.8
John Warren446.21.00.50.90.72.5
New York Knicks82240.646.422.248.926.0115.0

vs. Atlanta

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6293282130694
Hawks6293279122680

vs. Baltimore

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288254127710
Bullets6288236135607

vs. Boston

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks7341302180784
Celtics7341281192754

vs. Chicago

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288292113697
Bulls6288223156602

vs. Cincinnati

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks7336313163789
Royals7336271171713

vs. Detroit

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks7336317162796
Pistons7336290158738

vs. Los Angeles

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288254127635
Lakers6288236135607

vs. Milwaukee

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288277100654
Bucks6288252125629

vs. Philadelphia

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks7336309178789
76ers7336294163751

vs. Phoenix

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288310150770
Suns6288246172664

vs. San Diego

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288294132720
Rockets6288232200664

vs. San Francisco

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288274132680
Warriors6288228144600

vs. Seattle

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks6288283133699
SuperSonics6288240173653

Total

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Opponents8219730330820628682
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
New York Knicks82240.640.325.1105.9

Playoffs

Player Games Played Games Started Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Willis Reed187321783517051426
Dick Barnett19714131593964321
Dave DeBusschere197011304522046305
Walt Frazier1983411868149156304
Bill Bradley19616100357260235
Cazzie Russell1930680184716178
Dave Stallworth1927561157720137
Mike Riordan1929653254627131
Nate Bowman1812818744643
Bill Hosket529435211
Don May2720324
John Warren102220324
Knicks1946608773459504502099
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dick Barnett1937.66.93.12.13.416.9
Nate Bowman187.11.00.42.40.32.4
Bill Bradley1932.45.31.83.83.212.4
Dave DeBusschere1936.96.82.411.62.416.1
Walt Frazier1943.96.23.67.88.216.0
Bill Hosket55.80.80.61.00.42.2
Don May103.51.00.00.00.02.0
Willis Reed1840.79.93.913.82.823.7
Mike Riordan1915.62.81.32.41.46.9
Cazzie Russell1916.14.20.92.50.89.4
Dave Stallworth1914.53.20.84.11.17.2
John Warren22.20.20.00.30.20.4
New York Knicks19256.348.318.851.824.2115.6

1970 NBA Eastern Division Semifinals: vs. Baltimore

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks7346307137746
Bullets7346286163735

1970 NBA Eastern Division Finals: vs. Milwaukee

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks524023891567
Bucks524020899515

1970 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Knicks7346332122786
Lakers7346302176780

Total

Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points
Opponents199227964382030
New York Knicks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
New York Knicks1948.541.923.1106.8

Media

Local TV

Date Opponent Channel
October 15, 1969 @ Cincinnati WOR-TV
October 17, 1969 @ Chicago WOR-TV
October 24, 1969 @ Detroit WOR-TV
November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV
November 26, 1969 @ Atlanta WOR-TV
December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
December 10, 1969 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV
January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
February 4, 1970 @ Atlanta WOR-TV
March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta WOR-TV
March 27, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
March 31, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV
April 17, 1970 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV

Some New York Knicks TV Games never aired on WOR-TV because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL).

Local Cable TV

Date Opponent Cable TV
October 14, 1969 Seattle Manhattan Cable Television
October 18, 1969 Los Angeles Manhattan Cable Television
October 21, 1969 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television
October 23, 1969 San Francisco Manhattan Cable Television
October 25, 1969 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
October 28, 1969 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television
October 30, 1969 San Diego Manhattan Cable Television
November 1, 1969 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
November 22, 1969 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television
December 6, 1969 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
December 16, 1969 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television
December 20, 1969 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
February 21, 1970 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television
February 24, 1970 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television
February 28, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
March 18, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
March 26, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
April 2, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
April 6, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television
April 13, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
April 20, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television

National TV

Date Opponent Network Play-by-play Color analyst
January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee ABC
February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore ABC
March 29, 1970 Baltimore ABC
April 5, 1970 @ Baltimore ABC
April 11, 1970 Milwaukee ABC
April 19, 1970 @ Milwaukee ABC
April 24, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
April 27, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 4, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
May 8, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman

Local Radio

Date Opponent Flagship station
October 14, 1969 Seattle WHN
October 17, 1969 @ Chicago WHN
October 18, 1969 Los Angeles WHN
October 21, 1969 Phoenix WHN
October 23, 1969 San Francisco WHN
October 24, 1969 @ Detroit WHN
October 25, 1969 Baltimore WHN
October 28, 1969 Atlanta WHN
October 30, 1969 San Diego WHN
November 1, 1969 Milwaukee WHN
November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee WHN
December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore WHN
December 6, 1969 Milwaukee WHN
December 16, 1969 Atlanta WHN
December 20, 1969 Baltimore WHN
January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN
January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
February 21, 1970 Atlanta WHN
February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
February 28, 1970 Baltimore WHN
March 18, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta WHN
March 26, 1970 Baltimore WHN
March 27, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
March 29, 1970 Baltimore WHN
March 31, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN
April 2, 1970 Baltimore WHN
April 6, 1970 Baltimore WHN
April 11, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
April 13, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
April 17, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN
April 19, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN
April 20, 1970 Milwaukee WHN
April 24, 1970 Los Angeles WHN
April 27, 1970 Los Angeles WHN
April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN
May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN
May 4, 1970 Los Angeles WHN
May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN
May 8, 1970 Los Angeles WHN

Some New York Knicks radio games never aired on WHN because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL).

National Radio

Date Opponent Network Play-by-play Color analyst
April 24, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
April 27, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 4, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff
May 8, 1970 Los Angeles Mutual Bob Wolff

Public Address Announcer

Madison Square Garden PA Announcer
John Condon

Transactions

Transactions listed are from July 1, 1969 to June 30, 1970.

1970 NBA Expansion Draft

May 11, 1970 To Buffalo Braves
Bill Hosket
Don May
To Cleveland Cavaliers
John Warren

Trades

June 20, 1970 To Buffalo Braves
Nate Bowman
Mike Silliman
for cash

Awards and records

Player/Coach Award
Willis Reed NBA Most Valuable Player Award
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
All-NBA First Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
Walt Frazier All-NBA First Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
Dave DeBusschere NBA All-Defensive First Team
Red Holzman NBA Coach of the Year Award

20th NBA All-Star Game

New York Knicks NBA All-Star representatives at the 1970 NBA All-Star Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at The Spectrum.

Player Team Position Minutes Points Field Goals FGA Free Throws FTA Rebounds Assists Personal Fouls
Dave DeBusschere (Eastern Conference All-Stars) F 14 10 5 10 0 0 7 2 1
Walt Frazier (Eastern Conference All-Stars) G, Starter 24 7 3 7 1 2 3 4 2
Willis Reed
MVP
(Eastern Conference All-Stars) C, Starter 30 21 9 18 3 3 11 0 6
Coach Team
Red Holzman (Eastern Conference All-Stars) Head Coach

NBA finals

Without question, the defining moment in the series occurred in Game 7, where an injured Reed limped onto the court right before the start of the game.

On a re-creation of that moment, Marv Albert described it: "Here comes Willis! The crowd is going wild! Willis passes the scorers table, he grabs a basketball. The Lakers have stopped (shooting), the Lakers are watching Willis!"

He scored the game's first two baskets and proceeded not to score for the remainder of the game. Contrary to popular lore, he did not sit out after his first two baskets, but remained on the floor for 27 minutes. Despite his lack of scoring after his first four points, Reed's heroics inspired the team, and they won the game by a score of 113–99. The entire starting line up for the 69–70 Knicks had their jerseys retired by the New York Knicks. The jerseys of Walt Frazier (#10), Willis Reed (#19), Dave DeBusschere (#22), Bill Bradley (#24), and Dick Barnett (#12) all hang from the rafters at Madison Square Garden. Reed walking on to the court was voted the greatest moment in Madison Square Garden history.

GameDateResultSiteSeries
Game 1April 24 (Fri.)New York Knicks 124, Los Angeles Lakers 112@ New YorkKnicks lead, 1 game to 0
Game 2April 27 (Mon.)Los Angeles Lakes 105, New York Knicks 103@ New YorkSeries tied, 1 game each
Game 3April 29 (Wed.)New York Knicks 111, Los Angeles Lakers 108@ Los AngelesKnicks lead, 2 games to 1
Game 4May 1 (Fri.)Los Angeles Lakers 121, New York Knicks 105@ Los AngelesSeries tied, 2 games each
Game 5May 4 (Mon.)New York Knicks 107, Los Angeles Lakers 100@ New YorkKnicks lead, 3 games to 2
Game 6May 6 (Wed.)Los Angeles Lakers 135, New York Knicks 113@ Los AngelesSeries tied, 3 games each
Game 7May 8 (Fri.)New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99@ New YorkKnicks win, 4 games to 3

Knicks win series 4–3

References

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