Dick Barnett


Richard Barnett is an American former professional basketball player. He spent 14 seasons in the NBA, but is mostly known for his nine seasons with the New York Knicks. Barnett played in the 1968 NBA All-Star Game and was a member of the 1970 and 1973 Knicks teams that won the NBA championship against the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 15,358 regular season points in his career.

Playing career

A three-time All-American player at Tennessee A & I, Barnett led his team to three consecutive NAIA national championships for Hall of Fame Coach John McLendon. Barnett was named back-to-back championship MVP in 1958 and 1959.
The top draft choice of the Syracuse Nationals of the NBA, Barnett played with the team until 1961, when he jumped ship from the NBA to play in the American Basketball League with the Cleveland Pipers, who were owned by George Steinbrenner, the future owner of the New York Yankees. Barnett led them to an ABL Championship in the 1961–62 season. He then returned to the NBA to play with the Los Angeles Lakers for three seasons and played on two NBA championship teams with the New York Knicks in 1969–70 and 1972–73.
retired Richard "Dick the Skull" Barnett's Jersey in 2006.
Barnett's most recognizable playing feature was the way he kicked both legs back as he took his jump shot. In April 2007, both he and his college coach John McLendon were inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Barnett was also inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Post-playing career

Barnett, who holds a PhD in education from Fordham University, is now retired from teaching Sports Management at St. John's University in New York as of 2007.