While the city boasts the Yankees, Mets, and Giants, New York City has always been a basketball town. Madison Square Garden is often called The Mecca of Basketball. And despite decades of losing, Knicks fans stuck around and are now enjoying the current winning team led by Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. The team has a proud history and has featured legendary players over the years. Here are some of the best Knicks rookie cards that you can add to your collection.

Walt Frazier 1969 Topps 

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New York selected Walt Frazier with the 5th overall pick in the 1967 draft. Little did the franchise know that the point guard would play for and work for the team for decades. After his Hall of Fame playing career, Frazier began working as an announcer for the team in 1987, a position he holds on to this day.

On the court, Frazier is still considered one of the greatest lead guards to ever play the game. A 7-time All-Star, Frazier was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1987. The Knicks' only rookie card appears in the 1969 Topps Set and sells for between $1,000 and $1,500 in PSA 8 condition.

Willis Reed 1969 Topps

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Three years before drafting Walt Frazier, the Knicks selected Willis Reed from Grambling State. Reed would not only become a Hall of Fame level player, he would also become the heart and soul of the franchise. While he only played 10 seasons, Reed would play in 7 All-Star games and win the 1970 MVP Award.

The center's most famous moment was coming out to play Game 7 of the 1970 Finals despite a torn thigh. Like Frazier, Reed's rookie card comes in the 1969 Topps set. A PSA 8 copy of the card normally sells for between $700 and $800.

Bernard King 1978 Topps 

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Bernard King did not begin or finish his career with the Knicks, but the forward remains one of the franchise's most beloved players. King played in New York from 1982 through 1987, making 3 All-Star teams and winning the league scoring title in 1985.

A gruesome knee injury suffered in the mid-80s stalled his career, though he was eventually able to came back and average 28 points a game for the Wizards in 1991. King's 1978 Topps rookie card sells for between $200 and $300 in PSA 9 condition.

Patrick Ewing 1986 Fleer

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While the Knicks enjoyed significant success in the late 60s and early 70s, they had a rough decade leading up to the mid-80s. That changed in 1985 when New York won the draft lottery and the chance to draft Georgetown center Patrick Ewing.

The center would go on to become one of the greatest all-time Knicks. While he never won a title, Ewing made 11 All-Star teams and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Ewing's 1986 Fleer rookie card sells for $500ish in a PSA 9.

Carmelo Anthony 2003 Topps Chrome

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Like Bernard King, Carmelo Anthony did not begin or end his career with the Knicks. Ironically, Anthony lived in New York until he was 8 and was a big fan of King. Anthony was traded to the Knicks in 2011 and made the All-Star game every season he spent in New York.

While Carmelo's teams never won big while he was in New York, he is still fondly remembered by Knicks fans. When he enters the Hall of Fame, it is likely that his cards will go up in value. One of his most popular issues is his Topps Chrome Rookie which sells for $200 in a PSA 10.

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