Bernard King: The Dominant NBA Scorer of the New York Knicks

Bernard King was one of the most prolific scorers of his era in the NBA. His aggressive offensive game made him a star for the New York Knicks in the 1980s.

Early Life and High School

Bernard King was born in December 4th, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York and attended Fort Hamilton High School. He starred on the basketball team, averaging over 40 points per game as a senior and earning All-City honors. King’s scoring prowess earned him a scholarship to the University of Tennessee.

College Success at Tennessee

Subsequently, King played for Tennessee from 1974-1977 where he made an instant impact. He averaged over 25 points per game his sophomore year in 1976, leading the NCAA. That season, King was named an All-American and the SEC Player of the Year.

In 1977, King won SEC Player of the Year again after averaging 26.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. He finished his college career with averages of 25.8 points and 11.5 rebounds.

NBA Career and Comeback

The New Jersey Nets selected King 10th overall in the 1977 NBA draft. He averaged over 20 points per game in his first two seasons before being traded to the Utah Jazz in 1979. After two years with Utah, King signed with the Golden State Warriors.

In 1982, King joined the New York Knicks where he elevated his game even further. He averaged 26.3 points in 1983-84, finishing second in the league in scoring. However, a devastating knee injury forced King to miss the entire 1985 season.

Remarkably, King recovered to average 22.7 points in 1986-87 and win NBA Comeback Player of the Year. In his career, he averaged 22.5 points despite losing two prime seasons to injury.

Post-Playing Legacy

Knee issues forced King to retire in 1993. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 after posting phenomenal scoring numbers everywhere he played.

In 2022, the Brooklyn Nets erected a statue honoring King’s Brooklyn roots and legendary NBA career. Now in his 60s, Bernard King remains appreciated as one of the most dominant offensive forces during the 1980s NBA era.

2023 Update on King’s Status

Bernard King maintains a low profile since retiring, preferring to stay out of the spotlight. But his decorated career ensures King’s place among the great NBA scorers of all time.

In 2023, King resides in Texas but occasionally visits New York for ceremonial events honoring his years starring for the Knicks. Three decades later, highlights of King ruthlessly attacking defenses continue to remind fans of his elite scoring prowess.