Madison Square Garden demands a specific type of scorer. It is not just about putting the ball in the hoop. It is about bringing the noise, the grit, and the sheer will to win. When fans discuss the greatest small forwards in New York history, the conversation gets loud fast. The debate centers on two giants who defined eras of pure basketball chaos.
The Scoring Kings
Carmelo Anthony and Bernard King stand at the top of this mountain. Their resumes are filled with numbers that still shock people today. According to Posting and Toasting, Anthony took a franchise out of the “dungeon” and made it matter again. He did not just play; he dominated the league while wearing the orange and blue.
Anthony led the league in scoring during the 2012-2013 season. He averaged 28.7 points per game that year. That effort helped the team win 54 games. He dropped 62 points in a single game and hit clutch threes on Easter Sunday. These moments defined a generation of Knicks fans. Even with only six and a half seasons in the city, he sits seventh on the all-time scoring list. Seven All-Star selections as a Knick prove his status is unshakeable.
Bernard King brings a different kind of violence to the position. Per Posting and Toasting, King had the highest ceiling of any player to ever don the uniform before his knee injury. He was unstoppable, rivaling only Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in his prime. He mastered the mid-range game and the one-person fast break. His speed and power overwhelmed defenders who simply could not keep up.
The numbers from his peak are mind-blowing. King captured the scoring title in the 1984-85 season by averaging 32.9 points per game. On Christmas Day against the Nets, he scored 60 points. That remains the highest single-game total on Christmas in league history. He was an expert with an unblockable release that left teams searching for answers they did not have.
The Chaos Factor
Choosing the final two spots on the Rushmore is where things get messy. The top two are clear, but spots three and four provide a real challenge. The Knicks have had many great players, but only a few fit the specific energy of New York City. The position is a goldmine of scorers and enforcers who match the town’s vibe.
According to Posting and Toasting, the three-spot is not just another position for the team. It requires players who can handle the pressure of the Garden. Both Anthony and King thrived in that environment. They did not shrink from the moment. They embraced the weight of the city and delivered when it mattered most.
The debate over the remaining spots will continue for years. Some might argue for players who played longer. Others might look at peak performance. But the criteria here are buckets and hardware. It is about the ability to take over a game and change the course of history. The mountain is built on these specific feats of scoring dominance.
Looking ahead, the franchise needs to find a new face to join this legacy. The current roster must find a way to bring that same energy back to the court. Until then, the ghosts of King and Anthony will keep the standard high. Fans will always compare the next great scorer to the giants who came before. The Rushmore is set in stone, but the search for the next legend never truly ends.
