Dick Barnett

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Richard "Dick" Barnett (born October 2, 1936 in Gary, Indiana) is a former pro basketball player. He spent 14 seasons in the NBA (1959-74), but is mostly known for his 9 seasons with the New York Knicks. Barnett played in the 1968 NBA All-Star Game and was a part of the famous 1970 Knicks team, that won the NBA championship against the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 15,358 regular season points in his career.

[edit] Playing career

A three-time All-America player at Tennessee State University, Dick Barnett led his team to three consecutive NAIA national championships for Hall of Fame Coach John McLendon. Barnett was named championship MVP in 1958 and 1959. The top draft choice of the Syracuse National of the NBA, he later played with the Los Angeles Lakers for three seasons (legendary Laker announcer Chick Hearn nicknamed Barnett "Fall Back Baby") and played on two NBA championship teams with the New York Knicks in 1969-70 and 1972-73.

Tennessee State University retired Richard "Dick the Skull" Barnett's Jersey in 2006.^{[citation needed]}

Barnett's most recognizable playing feature was the way he kicked both legs back as he took his jump shot.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Post-playing career

Dick Barnett holds a PhD in education from Fordham University and is now retired from teaching Sports Management at St. John's University in New York as of 2007.^{[citation needed]}

v • d • e New York Knicks 1969-70 NBA Champions Barnett | Bowman | Bradley | DeBusschere | Frazier | Hosket | May | Reed (Finals MVP) | Riordan | Russell | Stallworth | Warren | Coach Holzman

v • d • e New York Knicks 1972-73 NBA Champions Barnett | Bibby | Bradley | DeBusschere | Frazier | Gianelli | Jackson | Lucas | Meminger | Monroe | Reed (Finals MVP) | Wingo | Coach Holzman