When Jalen Brunson carried the New York Knicks deep into last postseason, whispers began that he might eventually surpass franchise icon Walt Frazier in New York lore.
Both are outstanding guards, but that comparison misreads Frazier. After all, he isn’t just a Hall of Famer; he’s a living brand who built a persona that long outlasted his prime. Few understand this better than Bob Ryan, the veteran reporter who covered Frazier’s Knicks at their peak.
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Defining greatness
Brunson’s 2025 playoff run was no mirage. Dagger shots, fourth-quarter takeovers and milestones few guards ever reach drove the Knicks to their deepest postseason push of the decade.
Although Brunson fell only to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, he already has plenty to show for his stint with the Knicks. Frazier had a similar impact; spending over a decade in the Big Apple, he led the team to NBA championship titles in 1970 and 1973.
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Yet comparing on-court accomplishments between those two guys misses a vital point — one that goes beyond the game of basketball and one that helped Clyde become the icon he remains today.
Ryan put it perfectly, recalling that after Frazier arrived in NYC in 1967 as the fifth overall pick out of Southern Illinois, he became defined by his play and his mystic presence. For Ryan, that set the seven-time All-Star and 1975 All-Star Game MVP apart in every comparison.
“He (Frazier) created a character,”said Ryan, per andscape. “So that puts him apart from virtually everyone. I’m trying to think of a comparable NBA player in my experience that you could say that about and the answer is nobody. He set himself apart.”
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Clyde’s cultural impact
With the Knicks, Clyde was one of the finest two-way players of his generation. Seven All-Defensive First Team selections and a consistent scoring average of around 20 points per contest during his prime showed how much he could dominate on both ends.
But what endeared him to New Yorkers went far beyond what happened during games. His performances grew stronger after a tough rookie season, so did his bond with the city and its fans. Calm and composed on the court, Frazier became larger than life off it. He famously joked about going out so often, savoring everything the Big Apple’s nightlife had to offer, that he barely even needed a kitchen at home.
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Fashion played a big part in that persona. From Borsalino hats and tailored suits to furs and polished shoes, some even in crocodile leather, the Atlanta native mixed style with attitude. Eventually earning the fitting nickname “Mr. Cool,” he also became the first NBA player to endorse sneakers, partnering with Puma in 1973.
Today, when discussing the greatest playmakers in NBA history, Frazier might not be the first name people mention — Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Oscar Robertson or Isiah Thomas might come to mind first.
But as far as character, presence and cultural impact go, Clyde certainly stands in a league of his own. This rings especially true considering that more than four decades after his retirement, the Hall of Famer — despite his proud age of 80 — is still defining what it means to be “Mr. Cool.”
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.