The NBA Finals are here, and fans of basketball can’t wait to watch the likes of Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama go to war in the best-of-seven series. While today’s current heroes will be hoping to come out on top, they’ll be watched closely by some more senior legends from both sides. Alongside the potential attendance of the President, the current crop of world-class operators will be hoping to turn it on for the NBA legends in the crowd.
Both teams have certainly had their fair share of legendary performers over the years. Some players nearly brought glory back to the Spurs, while others stood out on a consistent basis for the Knicks. Essentially, they delivered when it mattered.
So, with Knicks and Spurs legends potentially being born in the coming weeks, below we highlight some of the best-ever players from both teams.
David Robinson
A player many Spurs fans still reminisce about, David Robinson was a fantastic player for the franchise. Now a minority owner of the team, the 60-year-old clearly adores a sport he mastered. With the second-most points in franchise history, Robinson was regularly behind magical wins and iconic moments. In fact, the 10-time All-Star didn’t really have a weakness to his game, making him a joy to watch as he made basketball look so easy. For today’s current crop of Spurs players, watching footage of David Robinson in action will only benefit them.
Willis Reed
When Willis Reed was turning out for the Knicks, attending an NBA clash in New York was one of the hottest tickets in town. Reed is a particular hero due to his bravery in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, with a severe leg injury not stopping him from playing for 27 minutes despite the obvious pain he was in. In the end, his inspirational actions boosted his teammates’ performances, resulting in the Knicks winning their first-ever championship. If any Knicks stars are dealing with niggling injuries heading into the best-of-seven series, the league MVP in 1970 will surely inspire them to battle on through the pain.
Tim Duncan
While many fans in 2026 will be backing the likes of Victor Wembanyama to turn it on in the Finals through a bet after looking at the latest NBA Finals odds, Tim Duncan was a player they used to hang their hats on. A true Spurs legend, Duncan is arguably the finest power forward we’ve witnessed in the NBA. He was integral to some of the Spurs’ biggest triumphs, including in the team’s five NBA Championship wins. Also registering 26,496 points and 15,091 rebounds during his entire 19-year career with the team, Tim Duncan is San Antonio Spurs royalty.
Patrick Ewing
Speaking of royalty, Patrick Ewing is the Knicks’ biggest-ever star for many fans. Sure, he didn’t manage to get his hands on an NBA title, but Ewing is probably one of the most naturally gifted performers the sport has seen. Playing in an era dominated by Michael Jordan didn’t exactly help his push for major honors either, but Ewing clearly had it all.
Walt Frazier
Another Knicks icon, if Patrick Ewing doesn’t take top spot for many Knicks fanatics, Walt Frazier most definitely does. With two NBA titles to his name, that’s where he beats Ewing for many fans. Ultimately, it’s subjective, but there is no denying Frazier’s impact on the court during his time with the franchise, especially when looking at his performances in the 1970 and 1973 title teams. Also making seven All-Stars and six All-NBA teams, Walt Frazier’s all-round ability was amazing.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. AFP editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
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