4. 1992-93: The Michael Jordan Buzzsaw
- Regular season record: 60-22
- Head coach: Pat Riley
- Scoring leader: Patrick Ewing (24.2 PPG)
- Rebounding leader: Patrick Ewing (12.1 RPG)
- Assists leader: Greg Anthony (5.7 APG)
- ORtg+: 98.2, DRtg+: 92.3
The Knicks finished 1st in the East in Pat Riley’s second season as coach and had the best defense in the league. Eight players on the team had a defensive box plus-minus greater than 2.
They dominated the defensive side of Dean Oliver’s “Four Factors of Basketball Success”. Another Ewing-anchored squad, they were first in opponent’s effective field goal percentage, first in defensive rebound percentage, and sixth in turnover percentage.
Despite a great season from Patrick Ewing, the offense was subpar.
Starks was the only other Knick who averaged more than 13 points per game, and Rolando Blackman was the only player who shot higher than the league average 35% from downtown.
With momentum after a strong playoff start, the Knicks ran into nemesis Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. They took the first two games at home before Jordan took over and the Bulls swept them in the next four, ending the series in six games.
Ewing was magnificent averaging 41.8 minutes, 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals while shooting 53% from the field.
He was still beaten by Jordan. No shame in that.
Despite only shooting 40% for the series, the GOAT did a little bit of everything, averaging 32.2 points, 7.0 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks, all while playing 41.5 minutes per game. Remind you of anyone?
