How To Collect | The New York Knicks

Collecting the Stars of the Garden

New York basketball is bigger than the game—it’s about the lights of Madison Square Garden and the stars who made it shine. Collecting Knicks legends like Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, and Carmelo Anthony connects The Hobby to the franchise’s history and unforgettable moments.

The New York Knicks collecting journey centers on rookie cards of legends like Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Patrick Ewing. Add Carmelo Anthony and modern stars like Jalen Brunson to round out your PC. Vintage “Tall Boys” and refractors highlight championship history and MSG magic.

Jump to:

• Knicks Mount Rushmore
• Championship Moments
• Ewing’s Era & ’90s Knicks
• Fan Favorites
• Collecting Your Way
• FAQs
• Key Facts

The Knicks Mount Rushmore

The Knicks have had their share of stars. Legends like Frazier and Ewing lead the way. A Mount Rushmore here rewards impact and longevity, but the likes of Bernard King could easily have made their way onto this list. And the way things are going, Jalen Brunson might one day soon be undeniable.

Key Rookie Cards & Chases

• 1969 Topps #98 Walt Frazier RC – Defensive anchor & Knicks icon
• 1969 Topps #60 Willis Reed RC – Finals MVP heroics in ’70 & ’73
• 1986 Topps Chrome #1 Patrick Ewing Refractor – Cornerstone of the ’90s Knicks
• 2003/04 Topps Chrome #113 Carmelo Anthony RC Gold /50 – A fan-favorite scorer

1969 Topps Basketball #98 Walt Frazier RC

1969 Topps Basketball #69 Willis Reed RC #60

1996 Topps Chrome Basketball #1 Patrick Ewing Refractor

2003/04 Topps Chrome Basketball #113 Carmelo Anthony RC Gold Refractor /50

Championship Moments

In 1967, the Knicks made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Finally a contender, they lost to the Celtics twice in three postseasons. By 1970, New York was the East’s best, going 60-22 before beating the Lakers in a classic seven-game series, in which MVP Willis Reed returned to the court despite injury, helping push New York over the top.

Whether it’s Reed and Frazier, or Dick Barnett, Dave DeBusschere, or Bill Bradley, collecting the team that finally became champions is a great place to start on a vintage Knicks PC.

The starting five each have their Topps rookie cards in the famous oversized 1969 Topps Basketball “Tall Boys” set. Bill Bradley is a fun addition to any collection. A brilliant college player, Bradley was the subject of John McPhee’s famous book, A Sense of Where You Are. He also ran for President of the United States in 2000.

Ewing’s Era & ’90s Knicks

Led by Patrick Ewing, the Knicks made the playoffs from 1988-2000. A hard-nosed group that remains beloved in the city, New York ran into the buzzsaw that was Michael Jordan’s Bulls, losing to Chicago five times in a seven-year span.

In 1992, the Knicks came one win away from stopping Jordan’s first dynasty in its tracks, losing a bruising seven-game series that endeared them to the Big Apple. 

In 1993-94, New York overcame the Jordan-less Bulls and made the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973. Ewing, along with John Starks and Charles Oakley, are excellent additions to any Knicks collection.

In 1999, the upstart Knicks made the Finals again, this time as an eight seed—one of only two NBA teams to achieve the feat. Despite losing in five to the Spurs, the team once again asserted its greatness. Larry Johnson’s four-point play remains one of the most memorable in franchise history. Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston had star turns during the run as well.

Fan Favorites & Style Icons

Bernard King’s Knicks career was cut short by a brutal injury, but few players have shone as bright at MSG. Scoring 40 points before halftime, King’s 60-point Christmas Day masterpiece in 1984 remains one of the most electric individual performances in the history of the sport.

Few who have ever played have a bag that can rival King’s. This 1978 Topps Basketball RC from his time with the Nets is his most coveted card.

1973 NBA champ and four-time All-Star Earl “The Pearl” Monroe is another essential player for any Knicks PC. A playground legend with a knack for the impossibly improvisational, Monroe lit up MSG and remains a fan favorite.

Watching the free-flowing Monroe was often compared to watching a virtuoso jazz artist at the peak of their powers. A PSA 9 of his 1969 Topps Basketball RC with Baltimore sold for $5,640 in April 2025.

Capturing History Your Way

The Knicks are a franchise that truly is a part of the fabric of New York City.

While the die-hard Knicks fans that make the Garden such a joy would have loved a few more rings, there’s no doubting that this team’s incredible history provides a wonderful canvas on which a team collector can create a phenomenal team collection.

Collecting New York Knicks Cards FAQs

• What is the most valuable Knicks rookie card?
  • Walt Frazier’s 1969 Topps #98 rookie card is considered one of the most sought-after, especially in high PSA grades.
• Which Knicks cards capture championship history?
  • The 1969 “Tall Boys” set, featuring Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and teammates, is a cornerstone for collectors honoring the 1970 and 1973 titles.
• What Knicks card is a fan favorite?
  • Bernard King’s 1978 Topps RC is beloved, with his 60-point Christmas Day game cementing his legacy as a must-have.
• How do I start a Knicks Personal Collection (PC)?
  • Begin with rookie cards of franchise legends, then expand into inserts, parallels, and modern stars. Adding championship-era pieces builds long-term depth

Key Facts

• Knicks legends: Frazier, Reed, Ewing, Melo, King
• Rookie chases: 1969 Tall Boys, Chrome refractors
• Titles in 1970 & 1973 define collecting peaks
• Modern chase: Jalen Brunson Topps Now cards

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