New York Knicks icon and recent Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Dick Barnett, has passed away at the age of 88. The Knicks organization confirmed his death on Sunday. According to reports, Barnett died peacefully in his sleep over the weekend at a senior living facility in Florida.
A 14-year veteran of the NBA, Barnett played for the Knicks for eight seasons after joining the team via trade from the Lakers in 1965. He was a key member of the Knicks squads that captured two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973.
Known for being left-handed, Barnett earned the nickname `Fallback Baby` due to his distinctive shooting technique. This style involved pulling his heels towards his backside mid-air to generate extra power, releasing the ball from an unusually high point, and leaning slightly backward on the follow-through.
The 6-foot-4 shooting guard made an immediate impact, averaging over 23 points per game in his debut season with the Knicks. He was selected to his only All-Star team in 1968. Throughout his career, he finished among the league`s top 10 scorers in four seasons and ranked in the top 20 for assists twice.
A particularly notable moment in Barnett`s career occurred during the legendary Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, famous for Willis Reed`s dramatic appearance despite injury. While Reed`s courage is often highlighted, it was Barnett who led the Knicks in scoring in that decisive game with 21 points (compared to Reed`s 4). Barnett also took on the challenging defensive task of guarding Lakers star Jerry West.
The Knicks secured their first-ever championship by winning that game 113-99. Across the entire 1970 NBA Finals series, Barnett was a vital contributor, averaging over 18 points and four assists per game while playing approximately 40 minutes per contest.
Jasper Hawthorne