"New York Knicks" Walt Frazier Hand Signed 9x11 Print Todd Mueller COA

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Up for auction "New York Knicks" Walt Frazier Hand Signed 9x11 Print. This item is certified authentic by Todd Mueller Autographs and comes with their Certificate of Authenticity.
ES-1012
Walter
"
Clyde
"
Frazier Jr.
(born March 29, 1945) is an American former
basketball
player in the
National Basketball Association
(NBA). As their floor general and top perimeter defender, he led the
New York Knicks
to the franchise's only two championships (1970 and 1973), and was inducted into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
in 1987. Upon his retirement from basketball, Frazier went into
broadcasting
; he is currently a
color commentator
for telecasts of Knicks games on the
MSG Network
. Frazier was drafted fifth overall by the
New York Knicks
, going on average 9.0 points per game and be named to the
NBA All-Rookie Team
during the
1967–68 season
. As a sophomore, Frazier's 17.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game averages made him one of the most improved players in the league. On October 30, 1969, Frazier recorded 43 points to go along with 9 rebounds and 5 assists in a 123–110 win over the Houston Rockets. Frazier was chosen as an
NBA All-Star
during the
1969–70 season
, the first of seven selections during his 10-year stint with the Knicks. The Knicks made it to the
1970 NBA Finals
thanks to the great play of both Frazier and star teammate
Willis Reed
. However, in game five, Reed suffered a painful leg injury. With Reed out, chances of the Knicks winning the championship were slim. However, Reed returned to the series, playing the first two minutes of game seven and scoring its first two points before limping off. With Reed out, Frazier went on to post one of the greatest performances in NBA playoff history, tallying 36 points, seven rebounds, 19 assists, and six steals in leading New York to victory. ESPN is one of the many sports sites to call it the greatest game seven ever. The Knicks were unable to repeat as champions in 1971, falling to the Baltimore Bullets and their star shooting guard
Earl Monroe
in the second round of the playoffs despite Frazier's 20.4 points per game average during the second series. Following the
1970–71 season
the Knicks traded for Monroe, who was always difficult for Frazier to guard. Not many people thought the two players’ styles would mesh, but Monroe and Frazier soon became one of the best backcourts in the league, even earning the nickname the "Rolls Royce" backcourt.
The Knicks returned to the NBA Finals in
1972
, but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, who completed a record-setting season with an NBA championship. Frazier lead the Knicks to a second NBA championship in
1973
, topping the Los Angeles Lakers in a five-game series. His defense on
Jerry West
played a major role in defeating the star-filled team. In 1976, Frazier was selected for his seventh and final NBA All-Star Game. While playing for the Knicks, he picked up the nickname "Clyde" because he wore a hat similar to that of
Warren Beatty
, who played
Clyde Barrow
in
Bonnie and Clyde
.
Frazier held Knicks franchise records for most games (759), minutes played (28,995), field goals attempted (11,669), field goals made (5,736), free throws attempted (4,017), free throws made (3,145), assists (4,791) and points (14,617).
Patrick Ewing
eventually broke most of those records, but Frazier's assists record still stands.
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