1987–88 New York Knicks season

The 1987–88 New York Knicks season was the 42nd season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA).[3] Early in the season, the Knicks signed free agent and second-year forward Johnny Newman.[4][5] The Knicks finished the regular season with a 38–44 record, and qualified for the 1988 NBA Playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, New York lost a best-of-five series to the Boston Celtics, 3–1.[6] Following the season, Bill Cartwright was traded to the Chicago Bulls.[7] First-round draft pick Mark Jackson was named Rookie of the Year.[8]

1987–88 New York Knicks season
Head coachRick Pitino
General managerAl Bianchi
OwnersGulf+Western
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record38–44 (.463)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 8th (Eastern)
Playoff finishEast First Round
(lost to Celtics 1–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWWOR-TV
MSG Network
(Marv Albert, John Andariese)[1]
RadioWNBC
(Jim Karvellas, Ernie Grunfeld)[2]
< 1986–87 1988–89 >

The season was the first in which the Knicks were coached by Rick Pitino, who had been hired after leading Providence to the Final Four of the 1987 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.[9]

Draft picks

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Note: This is not an extensive list; it only covers the first round and notable post-first-round picks.[10]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 18 Mark Jackson PG   United States St. John's

Roster

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1987–88 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 3 Carlisle, Rick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1959–10–27 Virginia
C 25 Cartwright, Bill 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–07–30 San Francisco
F 42 Cummings, Pat 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1956–07–11 Cincinnati
G 1 Donovan, Billy 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 1965–06–30 Providence
C 33 Ewing, Patrick 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1962–08–05 Georgetown
F 44 Green, Sidney 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1961–01–04 UNLV
G 13 Jackson, Mark 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–04–01 St. John's
F 14 McNealy, Chris 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–07–15 San José State
F 4 Newman, Johnny 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–11–28 Richmond
G 6 Tucker, Trent 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1959–12–20 Minnesota
F 34 Walker, Kenny 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1964–08–18 Kentucky
G 21 Wilkins, Gerald 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1963–09–11 Chattanooga
Head coach

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Boston Celtics 57 25 .695 36–5 21–20 19–5
x-Washington Bullets 38 44 .463 19 25–16 13–28 13–11
x-New York Knicks 38 44 .463 19 29–12 9–32 10–14
Philadelphia 76ers 36 46 .439 21 27–14 9–32 12–12
New Jersey Nets 19 63 .232 38 16–25 3–38 6–18
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Boston Celtics 57 25 .695
2 y-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 3
3 x-Chicago Bulls 50 32 .610 7
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 7
5 x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 15
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 15
7 x-Washington Bullets 38 44 .463 19
8 x-New York Knicks 38 44 .463 19
9 Indiana Pacers 38 44 .463 19
10 Philadelphia 76ers 36 46 .439 21
11 New Jersey Nets 19 63 .232 38
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1987–88 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–4 2–3 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 0–2 3–3 5–0 3–3 6–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–3
Boston 4–2 3–3 2–3 2–0 0–2 3–3 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 0–2 3–3 5–1 5–1 4–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–1
Chicago 3–2 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–0 2–0 3–3 2–0 1–1 5–1 5–1 3–2 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3
Cleveland 1–5 3–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–5 0–2 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 5–1 2–4 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 6–0
Dallas 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 4–2 2–0 5–0 1–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 5–1 5–1 3–2 3–3 1–1
Denver 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 4–2 1–1 5–0 3–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–3 4–2 5–1 4–1 2–4 2–0
Detroit 4–2 3–3 4–2 5–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 4–2 5–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2
Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–4 0–2 0–5 0–2 3–3 0–6 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–5 2–3 3–2 1–5 1–4 0–2
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–4 1–1 5–0 2–0 3–2 1–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 4–1 4–2 2–4 3–2 3–3 2–0
Indiana 2–4 0–5 3–3 2–4 0–2 1–1 3–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 6–0 2–3 2–4 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–4
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 0–5 1–1 3–3 2–3 1–1 1–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 0–6 3–2 0–5 1–5 1–4 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–3 2–0 6–0 4–1 1–1 5–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–1 3–3 4–1 5–0 4–2 4–1 1–1
Milwaukee 3–3 3–3 1–5 4–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–0 0–2 3–3 2–0 2–0 3–2 3–3 2–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New Jersey 0–5 1–5 1–5 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–5 0–2 1–1 0–6 2–0 0–2 2–3 3–3 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–6
New York 3–3 1–5 2–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 3–3 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3
Philadelphia 0–6 2–4 2–4 2–3 1–1 0–2 1–4 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 0–2 4–2 4–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3
Phoenix 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 2–3 0–2 4–2 1–4 0–2 4–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–6 3–2 2–3 2–4 2–3 0–2
Portland 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 1–1 5–1 1–4 2–0 6–0 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 6–0 4–1 5–0 3–3 1–4 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–4 0–2 3–2 2–4 0–2 2–3 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–4 3–3 1–4 1–5 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 1–5 1–1 2–3 4–2 0–2 5–0 0–5 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–5 3–3 3–2 3–3 0–2
Seattle 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–4 1–1 5–1 2–3 1–1 5–1 2–4 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 3–3 4–1 2–3 1–4 2–0
Utah 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–3 4–2 0–2 4–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–2 4–1 5–1 3–3 4–1 2–0
Washington 3–3 1–5 3–3 0–6 1–1 0–2 2–3 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–4 6–0 3–3 3–3 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2

Game log

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Regular season

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1987–88 game log
Total: 38–44 (home: 29–12; road: 9–32)
November: 4–8 (home: 3–3; road: 1–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 November 6, 1987
7:30 PM EST
@ Detroit L 99–110 Pontiac Silverdome
28,676
0–1
2 November 7, 1987 @ Indiana 95–108 Market Square Arena 0–2
3 November 9, 1987 Boston 87–96 Madison Square Garden 0–3
4 November 11, 1987 Atlanta 93–94 Madison Square Garden 0–4
5 November 13, 1987 @ Washington 101–108 Capital Centre 0–5
6 November 14, 1987 Milwaukee 93–89 Madison Square Garden 1–5
7 November 18, 1987 @ Boston 109–111 (2 OT) Boston Garden 1–6
8 November 19, 1987 @ New Jersey 107–108 Brendan Byrne Arena 1–7
9 November 21, 1987 Golden State 99–91 Madison Square Garden 2–7
10 November 23, 1987 San Antonio 112–117 Madison Square Garden 2–8
11 November 25, 1987 @ Cleveland 104–101 Richfield Coliseum 3–8
12 November 28, 1987 Cleveland 105–93 Madison Square Garden 4–8
December: 5–10 (home: 5–4; road: 0–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
13 December 1, 1987 Seattle 109–112 Madison Square Garden 4–9
14 December 3, 1987 @ Phoenix 114–120 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 4–10
15 December 4, 1987 @ Utah 92–104 Salt Palace 4–11
16 December 6, 1987 @ Portland 99–117 Memorial Coliseum 4–12
17 December 8, 1987 Washington 116–92 Madison Square Garden 5–12
18 December 10, 1987 Denver 113–97 Madison Square Garden 6–12
19 December 12, 1987
7:30 PM EST
@ Detroit L 96–124 Pontiac Silverdome
21,368
6–13
20 December 15, 1987 Milwaukee 98–103 Madison Square Garden 6–14
21 December 17, 1987 Philadelphia 96–106 Madison Square Garden 6–15
22 December 19, 1987 New Jersey 125–93 Madison Square Garden 7–15
23 December 22, 1987 @ Milwaukee 102–122 MECCA Arena 7–16
24 December 23, 1987 Chicago 90–89 Madison Square Garden 8–16
25 December 25, 1987
12 Noon EST
Detroit L 87–91 Madison Square Garden
14,549
8–17
26 December 26, 1987 @ Atlanta 98–125 The Omni 8–18
27 December 29, 1987 Portland 123–110 Madison Square Garden 9–18
January: 5–10 (home: 5–1; road: 0–9)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
28 January 1, 1988 L.A. Clippers 115–96 Madison Square Garden 10–18
29 January 5, 1988 Phoenix 95–100 Madison Square Garden 10–19
30 January 6, 1988 @ Boston 108–117 Boston Garden 10–20
31 January 8, 1988 @ New Jersey 111–118 Brendan Byrne Arena 10–21
32 January 9, 1988 Boston 106–98 Madison Square Garden 11–21
33 January 12, 1988 @ Cleveland 111–119 Richfield Coliseum 11–22
34 January 15, 1988 @ Philadelphia 104–119 The Spectrum 11–23
35 January 16, 1988 Philadelphia 110–96 Madison Square Garden 12–23
36 January 18, 1988 Atlanta 110–102 Madison Square Garden 13–23
37 January 20, 1988 @ Seattle 96–108 Seattle Center Coliseum 13–24
38 January 22, 1988
10:30 PM EST
@ L.A. Lakers L 112–113 The Forum
17,505
13–25
39 January 23, 1988 @ Sacramento 94–97 ARCO Arena 13–26
40 January 26, 1988 New Jersey 122–101 Madison Square Garden 14–26
41 January 28, 1988 @ Washington 90–104 Capital Centre 14–27
42 January 30, 1988 @ Chicago 95–97 (OT) Chicago Stadium 14–28
February: 8–4 (home: 6–0; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
43 February 2, 1988 Washington 110–106 Madison Square Garden 15–28
44 February 4, 1988
7:30 PM EST
Detroit W 100–93 Madison Square Garden
14,363
16–28
45 February 10, 1988
7:30 PM EST
@ Detroit L 87–98 Pontiac Silverdome
19,160
16–29
46 February 13, 1988 Cleveland 120–103 Madison Square Garden 17–29
47 February 15, 1988 New Jersey 97–96 Madison Square Garden 18–29
48 February 16, 1988 @ Indiana 104–117 Market Square Arena 18–30
49 February 18, 1988 Sacramento 108–104 Madison Square Garden 19–30
50 February 22, 1988 @ Boston 93–95 Hartford Civic Center 19–31
51 February 23, 1988 Milwaukee 89–87 Madison Square Garden 20–31
52 February 25, 1988 @ L.A. Clippers 106–96 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 21–31
53 February 26, 1988 @ Golden State 125–119 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 22–31
54 February 28, 1988 @ Denver 100–109 McNichols Sports Arena 22–32
March: 9–8 (home: 7–2; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
55 March 1, 1988 Indiana 98–96 Madison Square Garden 23–32
56 March 4, 1988 Philadelphia 110–108 (OT) Madison Square Garden 24–32
57 March 5, 1988 @ New Jersey 85–94 Brendan Byrne Arena 24–33
58 March 7, 1988 Chicago 110–98 Madison Square Garden 25–33
59 March 9, 1988
8:00 PM EST
L.A. Lakers L 99–104 Madison Square Garden
19,591
25–34
60 March 11, 1988 @ Atlanta 115–122 The Omni 25–35
61 March 12, 1988 Utah 108–105 Madison Square Garden 26–35
62 March 14, 1988 Cleveland 104–102 Madison Square Garden 27–35
63 March 16, 1988 @ Philadelphia 108–115 The Spectrum 27–36
64 March 19, 1988 Atlanta 116–110 Madison Square Garden 28–36
65 March 21, 1988 @ San Antonio 133–121 HemisFair Arena 29–36
66 March 22, 1988 @ Dallas 105–124 Reunion Arena 29–37
67 March 24, 1988 @ Houston 117–134 The Summit 29–38
68 March 26, 1988 Boston 106–118 Madison Square Garden 29–39
69 March 28, 1988 Dallas 114–106 Madison Square Garden 30–39
70 March 29, 1988 @ Cleveland 103–108 Richfield Coliseum 30–40
71 March 31, 1988 @ Milwaukee 113–103 MECCA Arena 31–40
April: 7–4 (home: 3–2; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
72 April 2, 1988 Houston 104–98 Madison Square Garden 32–40
73 April 5, 1988 @ Philadelphia 136–119 The Spectrum 33–40
74 April 8, 1988 @ Chicago 122–131 Chicago Stadium 33–41
75 April 10, 1988 @ Washington 118–98 Capital Centre 34–41
76 April 11, 1988
7:30 PM EDT
Detroit W 114–111 (OT) Madison Square Garden
13,312
35–41
77 April 13, 1988 Indiana 127–107 Madison Square Garden 36–41
78 April 15, 1988 Washington 97–106 Madison Square Garden 36–42
79 April 16, 1988 @ Atlanta 95–93 The Omni 37–42
80 April 19, 1988 Chicago 118–121 Madison Square Garden 37–43
81 April 22, 1988 @ Milwaukee 109–118 MECCA Arena 37–44
82 April 23, 1988 @ Indiana 88–86 Market Square Arena 38–44
1987–88 schedule

Playoffs

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1988 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 29 @ Boston L 92–112 Gerald Wilkins (24) Ewing, Green (11) Mark Jackson (9) Boston Garden
14,890
0–1
2 May 1 @ Boston L 102–128 Gerald Wilkins (24) Patrick Ewing (10) Mark Jackson (7) Boston Garden
14,890
0–2
3 May 2 Boston W 109–100 Johnny Newman (34) Patrick Ewing (10) Mark Jackson (14) Madison Square Garden
19,591
1–2
4 May 14 Boston L 94–102 Mark Jackson (28) Patrick Ewing (20) Mark Jackson (9) Madison Square Garden
19,591
1–3
1988 schedule

Player statistics

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Ragular season

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Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Patrick Ewing C 82 82 2,546 676 125 104 245 1,653 31.0 8.2 1.5 1.3 3.0 20.2
Mark Jackson PG 82 80 3,249 396 868 205 6 1,114 39.6 4.8 10.6 2.5 .1 13.6
Sidney Green PF 82 65 2,049 642 93 65 32 642 25.0 7.8 1.1 .8 .4 7.8
Kenny Walker SF 82 61 2,139 389 86 63 59 826 26.1 4.7 1.0 .8 .7 10.1
Bill Cartwright C 82 4 1,676 384 85 43 43 914 20.4 4.7 1.0 .5 .5 11.1
Gerald Wilkins SG 81 78 2,703 270 326 90 22 1,412 33.4 3.3 4.0 1.1 .3 17.4
Johnny Newman SF 77 25 1,589 159 62 72 11 773 20.6 2.1 .8 .9 .1 10.0
Trent Tucker SG 71 4 1,248 119 117 53 6 506 17.6 1.7 1.6 .7 .1 7.1
Pat Cummings PF 62 9 946 235 37 20 10 339 15.3 3.8 .6 .3 .2 5.5
Billy Donovan PG 44 0 364 25 87 16 1 105 8.3 .6 2.0 .4 .0 2.4
Louis Orr SF 29 0 180 34 9 6 0 40 6.2 1.2 .3 .2 .0 1.4
Rick Carlisle SG 26 0 204 13 32 11 4 74 7.8 .5 1.2 .4 .2 2.8
Sedric Toney PG 21 0 139 8 24 9 1 57 6.6 .4 1.1 .4 .0 2.7
Chris McNealy PF 19 0 265 64 23 16 2 67 13.9 3.4 1.2 .8 .1 3.5
Tony White PG 12 0 117 3 10 1 0 43 9.8 .3 .8 .1 .0 3.6
Ray Tolbert PF 11 0 177 35 5 5 2 47 16.1 3.2 .5 .5 .2 4.3
Bob Thornton PF 7 0 85 13 4 2 0 17 12.1 1.9 .6 .3 .0 2.4
Gerald Henderson PG 6 2 69 10 13 2 0 14 11.5 1.7 2.2 .3 .0 2.3
Carey Scurry SF 4 0 8 3 1 2 1 2 2.0 .8 .3 .5 .3 .5
Rory Sparrow PG 3 0 52 2 5 4 0 10 17.3 .7 1.7 1.3 .0 3.3

Playoffs

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Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Jackson PG 4 4 171 19 39 10 0 57 42.8 4.8 9.8 2.5 .0 14.3
Patrick Ewing C 4 4 153 51 10 6 13 75 38.3 12.8 2.5 1.5 3.3 18.8
Gerald Wilkins SG 4 4 149 8 19 4 0 80 37.3 2.0 4.8 1.0 .0 20.0
Sidney Green PF 4 4 93 33 7 0 1 16 23.3 8.3 1.8 .0 .3 4.0
Johnny Newman SF 4 2 113 11 7 6 1 76 28.3 2.8 1.8 1.5 .3 19.0
Kenny Walker SF 4 2 80 9 5 2 3 18 20.0 2.3 1.3 .5 .8 4.5
Bill Cartwright C 4 0 76 19 6 0 3 29 19.0 4.8 1.5 .0 .8 7.3
Trent Tucker SG 4 0 71 2 4 3 0 25 17.8 .5 1.0 .8 .0 6.3
Pat Cummings PF 3 0 28 7 3 0 0 7 9.3 2.3 1.0 .0 .0 2.3
Sedric Toney PG 3 0 15 0 2 1 0 11 5.0 .0 .7 .3 .0 3.7
Rick Carlisle SG 2 0 8 2 0 1 0 2 4.0 1.0 .0 .5 .0 1.0
Louis Orr SF 2 0 3 2 0 0 0 1 1.5 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .5
  • Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Knicks only.

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ The Fourth Estate (PDF). New York Knicks. 2003. p. 331. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  2. ^ The Fourth Estate (PDF). New York Knicks. 2003. p. 330. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "New York Knicks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  4. ^ Goldaper, Sam (October 8, 1988). "Knicks Sign Newman". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  5. ^ Benson, Michael (2007). Everything You Wanted to Know About the New York Knicks: A Who's Who of Everyone Who Ever Played On or Coached the NBA's Most Celebrated Team. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 196. ISBN 978-1-4617-3478-9.
  6. ^ "1987–88 New York Knickerbockers Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  7. ^ Sakamoto, Bob (June 28, 1988). "Bulls Deal Oakley To Knicks For Cartwright". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  8. ^ Rowe, John (June 19, 2017). "Knicks' best first-round NBA Draft picks in their history". USA Today. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  9. ^ Goldaper, Sam (January 30, 1989). "Knicks' Pitino: From BMOC to Rising Star in NBA". Orlando Sentinel. The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "1987 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "NBA & ABA Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "All-NBA & All-ABA Teams". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  13. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Defensive Teams". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  14. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Rookie Teams". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2013.