1972–73 New York Knicks season
The 1972–73 New York Knicks season was the 27th season of NBA basketball in New York City. The Knicks capture their second NBA title as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, four games to one, which was exactly the same count the Knicks lost to the Lakers a year earlier.
Draft picks
Note: This is not an extensive list; it only covers the first and second rounds, and any other players picked by the franchise that played at least one game in the league.
Roster
1972–73 New York Knicks roster |
Players | Coaches |
Pos. | No. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) | From |
2.0 !SG |
12 |
Barnett, Dick |
7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
190 lb (86 kg) |
1936–10–02 |
Tennessee State |
1.0 !PG |
17 |
Bibby, Henry |
7000185420000000000♠6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
1949–11–24 |
UCLA |
3.0 !SF |
24 |
Bradley, Bill |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
205 lb (93 kg) |
1943–07–28 |
Princeton |
4.5 !PF |
22 |
DeBusschere, Dave |
7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
1940–10–16 |
Detroit |
1.0 !PG |
10 |
Frazier, Walt |
7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
200 lb (91 kg) |
1945–03–29 |
Southern Illinois |
6.0 !C |
40 |
Gianelli, John |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
1950–06–10 |
Pacific |
4.5 !PF |
18 |
Jackson, Phil |
7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
1945–09–17 |
North Dakota |
4.5 !PF |
32 |
Lucas, Jerry |
7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
230 lb (104 kg) |
1940–03–30 |
Ohio State |
2.0 !SG |
7 |
Meminger, Dean |
7000182880000000000♠6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
175 lb (79 kg) |
1948–05–13 |
Marquette |
2.0 !SG |
15 |
Monroe, Earl |
7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
1944–11–21 |
Winston-Salem State |
6.0 !C |
23 |
Rackley, Luther |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
1946–06–11 |
Xavier |
6.0 !C |
19 |
Reed, Willis (C) |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
235 lb (107 kg) |
1942–06–25 |
Grambling State |
6.0 !C |
6 |
Riker, Tom |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
1950–02–28 |
South Carolina |
4.5 !PF |
43 |
Wingo, Harthorne |
7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
1947–09–09 |
Friendship Junior College |
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
Injured
Roster • Transactions Last transaction: 1973–05–10 |
Depth chart
Pre season
Game log
1972–73 Pre Season Game Log |
September/October
Game |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Score |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
|
All times are EASTERN time
Regular season
Standings
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1972-73 NBA Records |
Team |
ATL |
BAL |
BOS |
BUF |
CHI |
CLE |
DET |
GSW |
HOU |
KCO |
LAL |
MIL |
NYK |
PHI |
PHO |
POR |
SEA |
Atlanta |
— | 3–4 | 1–5 | 5–1 | 2–2 | 3–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–4 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 |
Baltimore |
4–3 | — | 1–5 | 5–1 | 0–4 | 8–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 5–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–3 | 5–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 |
Boston |
5–1 | 5–1 | — | 7–0 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 4–4 | 7–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 |
Buffalo |
1–5 | 1–5 | 0–7 | — | 2–2 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–6 | 7–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 |
Chicago |
2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 3–4 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 5–2 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 5–1 |
Cleveland |
4–3 | 0–8 | 1–5 | 5–1 | 1–3 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–6 | 6–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 |
Detroit |
2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–3 | 3–1 | — | 2–4 | 1–3 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 2–5 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 6–0 | 2–4 |
Golden State |
3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 4–2 | — | 3–1 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 4–3 |
Houston |
4–4 | 2–5 | 1–5 | 5–1 | 0–4 | 3–4 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–5 | 5–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 |
Kansas City-Omaha |
2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–5 | 2–2 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–0 | — | 1–5 | 1–6 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 4–2 |
Los Angeles |
1–3 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 4–3 | 3–1 | 5–1 | — | 3–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 6–1 | 6–0 | 6–0 |
Milwaukee |
3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–2 | 3–1 | 5–2 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 6–1 | 3–3 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 5–1 | 5–1 |
New York |
3–3 | 3–3 | 4–4 | 6–1 | 1–3 | 6–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 6–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 |
Philadelphia |
0–6 | 1–5 | 0–7 | 1–7 | 0–4 | 0–6 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–6 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
Phoenix |
1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 3–3 | 1–6 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 4–0 | — | 5–2 | 4–2 |
Portland |
0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–5 | 3–1 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–5 | — | 3–4 |
Seattle |
1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 4–3 | — |
Game log
1972-73 Game Log (57–25) (Home: 34–7; Road: 23–18) |
October (8–1) (Home: 6–0; Road: 2–1)
|
November (12–3) (Home: 7–1; Road: 5–2)
|
December (10–5) (Home: 7–0; Road: 3–5)
Game |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Score |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 | December 12, 1972 | | Atlanta |
31 | December 13, 1972 | | @ Atlanta |
32 |
33 |
34 |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
|
January (12–3) (Home: 5–0; Road: 7–3)
|
February (8–5) (Home: 6–2; Road: 2–3)
Game |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Score |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
57 |
58 |
59 |
60 | February 6, 1973 | | Los Angeles |
61 |
62 |
63 |
64 |
65 |
66 |
67 |
68 |
69 |
|
March (6–7) (Home: 3–3; Road: 3–4)
|
1972-73 Schedule |
All times are EASTERN time
Playoffs
1972-73 NBA Playoffs Game Log (12–5) (Home: 7–1; Road: 5–4) |
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (E3) Baltimore Bullets – New York Knicks win series 4–1
Game |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Score |
Location |
Attendance |
Series |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Eastern Conference Finals vs. (E1) Boston Celtics – New York Knicks win series 4–3
Game |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Score |
Location |
Attendance |
Series |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
NBA Finals vs. (W2) Los Angeles Lakers – New York Knicks win series 4–1
|
1972-73 Schedule |
All times are EASTERN time
Player statistics
Season
Player |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
Barnett, DickDick Barnett | 51 | | 10.1 | 1.7 | | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | | | 3.8 |
Bibby, HenryHenry Bibby | 55 | | 8.6 | 1.4 | | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | | | 4.2 |
Bradley, BillBill Bradley | 82 | | 36.6 | 7.0 | | 2.1 | 3.7 | 4.5 | | | 16.1 |
DeBusschere, DaveDave DeBusschere | 77 | | 36.7 | 6.9 | | 2.5 | 10.2 | 3.4 | | | 16.3 |
Frazier, WaltWalt Frazier | 78 | | 40.8 | 8.7 | | 3.7 | 7.3 | 5.9 | | | 21.1 |
Gianelli, JohnJohn Gianelli | 52 | | 9.9 | 1.5 | | 0.4 | 2.9 | 0.5 | | | 3.5 |
Jackson, PhilPhil Jackson | 80 | | 17.4 | 3.1 | | 1.9 | 4.3 | 1.2 | | | 8.1 |
Lucas, JerryJerry Lucas | 71 | | 28.2 | 4.4 | | 1.1 | 7.2 | 4.5 | | | 9.9 |
Meminger, DeanDean Meminger | 80 | | 18.2 | 2.4 | | 1.0 | 2.9 | 1.7 | | | 5.7 |
Monroe, EarlEarl Monroe | 75 | | 31.6 | 6.6 | | 2.3 | 3.3 | 3.8 | | | 15.5 |
Rackley, LutherLuther Rackley | 1 | | 2.0 | 0.0 | | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | | | 0.0 |
Reed, WillisWillis Reed | 69 | | 27.2 | 4.8 | | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | | | 11.0 |
Riker, TomTom Riker | 14 | | 4.6 | 0.7 | | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | | | 2.5 |
Wingo, HarthorneHarthorne Wingo | 13 | | 4.5 | 0.7 | | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | | | 1.5 |
Knicks, New YorkNew York Knicks | 82 | | 240.6 | 44.2 | | 16.5 | 47.3 | 26.7 | | | 105.0 |
Opponents
Regular-season series
New York tied 3–3 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 6 | 288 | 275 | 101 | | | 651 |
Hawks | 6 | 288 | 256 | 115 | | | 627 |
Regular-season series
New York tied 3–3 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 6 | 288 | 239 | 57 | | | 535 |
Bullets | 6 | 288 | 242 | 84 | | | 568 |
Regular-season series
New York tied 4–4 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 8 | 384 | 340 | 160 | | | 840 |
Celtics | 8 | 384 | 336 | 173 | | | 845 |
Regular-season series
New York won 6–1 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 7 | 336 | 322 | 126 | | | 770 |
Braves | 7 | 336 | 282 | 100 | | | 664 |
Regular-season series
New York lost 1–3 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 | 192 | 153 | 58 | | | 364 |
Bulls | 4 | 192 | 134 | 89 | | | 357 |
Regular-season series
New York won 6–0 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 6 | 288 | 250 | 98 | | | 598 |
Cavaliers | 6 | 288 | 220 | 96 | | | 536 |
Regular-season series
New York won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 | 192 | 178 | 54 | | | 410 |
Pistons | 4 | 192 | 164 | 63 | | | 391 |
Regular-season series
New York tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 | 197 | 176 | 68 | | | 420 |
Warriors | 4 | 197 | 165 | 92 | | | 422 |
Regular-season series
New York won 5–1 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 6 |
Rockets | 6 |
Regular-season series
New York won 4–0 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 |
Kings | 4 |
Regular-season series
New York tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 |
Lakers | 4 |
Regular-season series
New York tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 |
Bucks | 4 |
Regular-season series
New York won 6–1 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 7 | 336 | 348 | 124 | | | 820 |
76ers | 7 | 336 | 285 | 121 | | | 691 |
Regular-season series
New York won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 |
Suns | 4 |
Regular-season series
New York won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 |
Trail Blazers | 4 |
Regular-season series
New York won 4–0 in the regular-season series |
|
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 4 | 192 | | | | | 410 |
SuperSonics | 4 | 192 | | | | | 347 |
Playoffs
Player |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
Barnett, DickDick Barnett | 4 | | 4.3 | 0.8 | | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.5 | | | 1.5 |
Bibby, HenryHenry Bibby | 6 | | 7.2 | 1.3 | | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | | | 3.3 |
Bradley, BillBill Bradley | 17 | | 34.5 | 5.8 | | 2.4 | 3.4 | 2.6 | | | 14.0 |
DeBusschere, DaveDave DeBusschere | 17 | | 37.2 | 6.9 | | 2.3 | 10.5 | 3.4 | | | 15.6 |
Frazier, WaltWalt Frazier | 17 | | 45.0 | 8.8 | | 4.3 | 7.3 | 6.2 | | | 21.9 |
Gianelli, JohnJohn Gianelli | 52 | | 7.9 | 1.6 | | 0.4 | 1.9 | 0.1 | | | 3.6 |
Jackson, PhilPhil Jackson | 17 | | 19.9 | 3.5 | | 1.6 | 4.2 | 1.4 | | | 8.7 |
Lucas, JerryJerry Lucas | 17 | | 21.6 | 3.2 | | 1.2 | 5.0 | 2.3 | | | 7.5 |
Meminger, DeanDean Meminger | 17 | | 19.0 | 1.8 | | 1.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 | | | 4.8 |
Monroe, EarlEarl Monroe | 16 | | 31.5 | 6.9 | | 2.3 | 3.2 | 3.2 | | | 16.1 |
Reed, WillisWillis Reed | 17 | | 28.6 | 5.7 | | 1.1 | 7.6 | 1.8 | | | 12.5 |
Wingo, HarthorneHarthorne Wingo | 3 | | 4.0 | 1.7 | | 0.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 | | | 3.7 |
Knicks, New YorkNew York Knicks | 17 | | 48.4 | 48.0 | | 17.2 | 47.9 | 24.2 | | | 113.2 |
Opponents
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 5 | 240 | 223 | 73 | | | 519 |
Bullets | 5 | 240 | 204 | 70 | | | 478 |
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 7 | 346 | 308 | 127 | | | 743 |
Celtics | 7 | 346 | 289 | 139 | | | 717 |
Team |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points |
Knicks | 5 | 240 | 215 | 73 | 232 | 117 | 503 |
Lakers | 5 | 240 | 197 | 110 | 264 | 87 | 484 |
Opponent |
Games Played |
Minutes Played |
Field Goals |
Free Throws |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Points Against |
Baltimore | 5 |
Boston | 7 |
Los Angeles | 5 |
Opponents | 17 |
Media
Local 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
Local radio
Some New York Knicks radio games never aired on WNBC–AM because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL).
Awards and records
24th NBA All-Star Game
New York Knicks NBA All-Star representatives at the 1973 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago, Illinois at Chicago Stadium.
Transactions
Transactions listed are from July 1, 1972 to June 30, 1973.
Trades
References
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