Bernard King, the second King of New York
Like Jay Z, also born on December 4, Bernard King he was once entitled to the nickname (linked to his name, apparently) “The King of New York.” A kid from Brooklyn, he established himself in the 1980s as one of the most explosive and spectacular players in NBA history.
Drafted in 1977 by New Jersey, the former University of Tennessee player first spent two seasons on the other side of the Hudson River before going West (to Utah and then Golden State).
Great shooter
In 1982, he returned to New York and exploded in front of everyone. A strong attacker, sometimes too much (he often forgot his teammates and to defend himself), Bernard King was very light with a balanced set-up (2m03 for 93 kg). Amazing finish, hard to stop on the counter because of the quality of support and big hands.
Counters and records jumped with him: in January 1984, he became the first player in 20 years to score 50 points in two consecutive matches. He then set the record again for a Christmas game in 1984 with 60 points against the Nets, his former team.
In the same season, he became the best scorer in the NBA with an average of 32.9 points. He was selected for the best five of the season and made it to the All-Star game. That year, he was voted MVP by the players in a poll conducted by Sporting News. He’s at the top of his game as the NBA arrives in France, via Canal+.
What if he played with Patrick Ewing…
Unfortunately, due to an injury to the cruciate ligaments of his right knee, he fell from the throne. It’s March 1985, and we still don’t know that Bernard King will never find his former level.
His knee was reconstructed from A to Z, and he played only six matches in two years. It will also be one of the biggest regrets in New York history: I never got to connect Bernard King with Patrick Ewingdrawn in 1985. In 1988, the fallen king left New York with the status of a Madison Square Garden idol.
He would have some success with the Washington Bullets, before finishing the circuit in New Jersey. In his career, he will score 19,655 points in 874 matches, or an average of 22.5 points per match. Carmelo Anthony’s idol, who took over the Knicks, Bernard King finally entered the Hall of Fame. Injustice righted.
His 60-point game
2025-12-04 12:04:00
