The Knicks household is mourning the lack of a real legend this week.
NBA Corridor of Famer Dick Barnett, who spent 14 seasons with the Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Syracuse Nationals, handed away on Sunday at 88 years previous.
Barnett was a key a part of the Knicks’ championship runs in 1970 and 1973, and he additionally made historical past at Tennessee A&I, profitable three straight NAIA nationwide titles with the storied faculty powerhouse.
“Obviously condolences to his family and to all our fans, his teammates and what he means to our franchise. Just a very classy man,” Knicks head coach Thibodeau mentioned.
Barnett’s jumper was one-of-a-kind — tucking his legs beneath him as he soared into the air and pale again in a method that earned him the nickname “Fall Back Baby”. Youngsters on playground courts in all places tried to repeat that iconic shot, together with a younger Thibodeau, who was simply a young person soaking in Barnett’s brilliance.
Barnett’s jumper was pure magic, the best way he’d tuck his legs beneath him and float backward in mid-air, incomes him the heartfelt nickname “Fall Back Baby.” Youngsters on playgrounds in all places couldn’t resist attempting to imitate that lovely shot, and even a younger Thibodeau, who was simply a young person soaking in Barnett’s brilliance with the Knicks.
“I remember watching games when he played – everyone tried to mimic his jump shot,” Thibodeau mentioned. “That team, it had so much creativity to it; togetherness, sacrifice; just the way they played was special. And then when you get to know them, for me, meeting all of those guys from those teams is pretty special. Their character, their intelligence and the way they cared about each other is really special.”
The Knicks paid a touching tribute to Barnett earlier than Tuesday’s Sport 5 in opposition to the Detroit Pistons at Madison Sq. Backyard. In the course of the sport, Knicks gamers honored him by carrying black and white No. 12 patches on their jerseys.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off the court,” the Knicks mentioned in a press release. “He left a positive impact on everyone he encountered, and this organization is incredibly fortunate to have him be such an integral part of its history. His jersey will forever hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will forever be a part of Knicks fans memories.”
Initially Printed: April 29, 2025 at 7:31 PM EDT
