10 Best Street Ball / Basketball Legends from New York City
10. Chris Mullin. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Mullin was known as a hard, physical player in the NBA. He was drafted in 1985 with the Golden State Warriors after he shined in his college basketball team, winning the Big East Basketball Player of the Year award three times with St. John’s University. Mullin had issues with alcohol and had some difficult times in his 1985-2001 basketball career. He is also a 5 time NBA All-Star and two time Olympic gold medalist (1984 & 1992).
9. Richard (Rick) “Pee Wee” Kirkland. Street basketball player from NYC who is known for his legendary games at Rucker Park in the 1970/1971 season. Pee Wee had a great college career averaging 41 points per game. In 1969, he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls, but turned down the offer due to a more lucrative “career” in drugs and gambling.
8. Bernard King. Born in Brooklyn and played at Fort Hamilton High School. King had a chance to play with the New York Knicks and was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the late 70s. Despite a debilitating knee injury which sidelined him for two years in his career, King averaged over 22 point per game in his 15 year NBA career. He is a finalist for the 2010 Hall of Fame entry and one of NBA’s greatest point scorers of all time. Member of several NBA All Star Teams and the 1978 All Rookie Team.
7. Robert J. (Bob) Cousy. Born and brought up in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan’s East Side, Cousy was famous for his 1950-1963 career with the Boston Celtics, bringing 6 NBA championships, 13 All Star, 12 All-NBA First and Second Teams, and one MVP award in 1957. Nicknamed the “Houdini of the Hardwood”, Cousy is a Hall of Famer who played 924 games, and scored 16, 969 points in his career. Considered one of basketball’s greatest.
6. Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Born and raised in Bronx, New York City, Tiny is also one of basketball’s Hall of Famers. Known as a triple threat with his shift movement and great shots in his 14-year NBA career (1970-1984). Notably famous for his years with the Kansas City Kings and Boston Celtics. Tiny is a NBA champion and MVP with the Celtics in 1981, a six time NBA All-Star and three time All-NBA First Team. Also known as “Nate the Skate.”
NYC’s 10 Best NBA & Street Ball Basketball Legends (5 to 1)
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DC : elgin baylor, dave bing, kermit washington, austin carr, adrian dantley, curtis perry, allen Iverson(since your claiming mello and jordan) what happen to Doc are you nuts. Strong Island don’t count?
No, only players born in New York City were considered.
A GSW fan that went to many games, and I’ve watched every game every year on TV since the 70′s, and there were many. So I saw Bernard King and Mully play many many times and if asked who I thought was more FUN to watch., not who was better; just more entertaining, I’d have to reply Mullins. Because King was a scorer and he played hyper speed and played down low; Mully was the best pure shooter and the out side shot is a beautiful thing to watch. + he’d go in the key and slip shots by the trees and passed the ball through the eye of a needle. Bernard made amazing shots but it all happened with in 10′ of the hoop and he was so quick a lot of times it was like all you saw was the ball going in the net. With Mully whether a pass or shot or some kind of dipsy doodle spin it off the glass while players were leaping 12′ trying to slap the shot away he’d knock it down you knew and saw that it was his slickness that fooled every one . King was just as or more amazing but in a different way. For what it’s worth this is my observation
Bernard King not being elected to the HOF is absurd. Just ask Bird, and if that’s not enough his stats speak for him. or ask Zeeke or ask any man in the NBA when King was playing if he is HOF worthy