Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted to TKB by Knick fan Bill Obenauer. As always we encourage opinion pieces to be submitted.

Though I do not believe that Donnie Walsh will be able to position the Knicks to land a marquee player, such as LeBron James or Dwayne Wade, in 2010, I have often pondered what would happen in the Bronx-born Knicks president did pull off the impossible. Hearing James’ name called out on the public address for the first time would probably result in a roar so load that the walls of the Garden would literally shake and the roof would be at risk of blowing off, but that would probably be the highlight of his career as a Knick. If historical trends are any indicator of the future, landing a big-name free agent signing in Gotham would just about ensure that the Knicks don’t hang another banner from the rafters any time soon.

Let’s take a look at the Knicks’ past first. What do Patrick Ewing, Bill Bradley, Willis Reed, and Walt “Clyde” Frazier have in common? Not only are they some of the greatest players in team history, but they were all home grown New York draft picks. Bradley, Reed, and Frazier teamed up for two NBA titles in the seventies, while the newly recognized Hall of Fame member, Patrick Ewing, lead the team to two finals appearances in the nineties.

What about the other key member to those championship teams of the seventies, and the star the Knicks added to help win the title in 1973. Dave DeBusschere and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe were both acquired via trades. Key players to the success of the Knicks in the nineties such as Charles Oakley, Marcus Camby, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, and Derek Harper were also traded to the Knicks. Though they may not be worth discussing because they really aren’t associated with the Knicks winning, I’ll mention a few other former franchise players. Bob McAdoo, the Knicks’ All-Star of the late seventies who helped end the team’s playoff drought, came over in a trade from Buffalo. Oh, and how about the Knicks’ sensational leader in the mid-eighties, Bernard King? He came over in a trade with the Golden State Warriors as well.

Okay, so the Knicks have obtained most of their key players through trades or the draft, but there must have been some good free agent signings, right? I will not insult your intelligence by examining any Isiah Thomas signings, such as Vin Baker, Jarred Jeffries, or Jerome James.To read the rest click here.

Thanks Bill, for a very well-written piece.