Dec
On December 1st 1990, New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing scored 50 points in a 113-96 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Ewing shot 22 of 31 from the floor and six of six from the free throw line, grabbed 15 rebounds, and blocked three shots.
Nov
Today we at Homage wish a very happy 68th birthday to Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. The playground legend turned Knicks and Bullets star was the second overall pick in the 1967 NBA draft was a four-time All-Star and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Nov
On this day in 1960, the Lakers’ Elgin Baylor set a new NBA scoring record by dropping 71 points (and gathering 25 rebounds) in a win over the New York Knicks. Baylor’s 71 broke his own record of 64 points that he set in the previous season.
Oct
40 years ago today, seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill was born in Dallas, Texas. The third overall selection in the 1994 Draft, the newly-signed Los Angeles Clipper is one day younger than the oldest player in the league, New York Knicks forward/center Kurt Thomas.
Jun
Today Homage wishes New York Knick legend Willis Reed a happy 70th birthday. Reed’s most famous performance came in the 1970 NBA Finals, when a torn thigh muscle kept him out of Game 6. He limped onto the floor for Game 7, scored 36 points and dished out 18 assists as the Knicks won 113-99 for their first NBA title.
Jun
Today Homage wishes a happy 48th birthday to former NBA forward Xavier McDaniel. “The X-Man” was drafted fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1985; in his rookie season, he averaged 17.1 points per game and finished second in the NBA Rookie of the Year balloting to New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing.
Mar
On March 26th 1972, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Seattle Supersonics 124-98 for their 69th win of the season, then an NBA record. Led by Jerry West (above) and Gail Goodrich, the Lakers defeated the New York Knicks in five games to win the franchise’s seventh championship.
Mar
Today Homage wishes a happy 38th birthday to NBA center Marcus Camby. The 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year is a four-time member of the NBA all-defensive team and won the Naismith College Player of the Year Award while at the University of Massachusetts in 1995-96.
Mar
On this day in 1962, Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a 169-147 win over the New York Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Widely considered one of the greatest personal records in all of sports, Chamberlain’s feat was not televised and no video footage of the game exists.
“True, over-anxiousness caused Wilt to miss some shots he’d ordinarily make. But he made some he wouldn’t have dared taken under ordinary circumstances. Long jumpers from 25–30 feet out with two and three men clinging onto the wiry, 260-pound frame. Power-packed dunk shots when he had to bull through, around and over a tight knot of defenders. Blazing speed that carried him downcourt for layups after he had launched the fast break with a rebound himself. He earned every point.”
—Jack Kiser, The Philadelphia Enquirer
Jan
Celebrating his 39th birthday today is former University of Michigan and NBA point guard and current ESPN commentator Jalen Rose. After being selected 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 1994, Rose played for six NBA teams, including an Indiana Pacers team that made three consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearances.
