Dave DeBusschere

New York had assembled something rare, not a collection of superstars, but five men who understood exactly where the other four would be. At the center of it all was Dave DeBusschere, the blue-collar Detroit product who had already pitched in the Major Leagues, coached an NBA team at 24, and arrived in New York as the final piece of Red Holzman's puzzle. On May 8, 1970, with Madison Square Garden electric after Willis Reed's iconic limping entrance, DeBusschere takes an outlet at the top of the key, gets his feet set, and drills a jumper against the fast-breaking Lakers, the kind of cold, efficient bucket that defined everything he was. Walt Frazier may have commanded the headline that night, but the eight-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive First Team selection was the engine beneath the surface: physical, relentless, and built for moments exactly this large. The Knicks defeated Los Angeles 113-99 to claim the franchise's first title. DeBusschere, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, had his No. 22 retired by New York in 1981. He finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds.

Top Shot Debut

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