The most explosive scorer of the early 1980s — overcame a devastating knee injury to win the scoring title.
Bernard King was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1956. He attended Tennessee before New Jersey Nets selected him seventh overall in the 1977 NBA Draft. His 14-season career produced 22.5 points per game, four All-Star appearances and two All-NBA First Team selections. He won the scoring title in 1984-85 with a remarkable 32.9 points per game average. He tore his ACL in his right knee in March 1985 — one of the most severe knee injuries of the era — and spent 23 months in rehabilitation before returning to play at near All-Star level with the Washington Bullets. His comeback — averaging 20.7 points in 1987-88 — is one of sport's great medical recoveries. His peak New York Knicks years (1982-85) produced some of the finest individual scoring of the decade. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. His scoring purity — precise footwork, mid-range mastery and finishing at the rim — made him one of the most studied offensive players of his generation.
Explosive scoring ability and clutch performances
How They Played
Prolific scorer with smooth shooting touch and strong post moves
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest scorers in NBA history despite injury struggles
Scoring Champion (1985)
Career Honours
- Scoring Champion (1985)
- All-Star 4x
- All-NBA First Team 2x
- Hall of Fame (2013)
- NBA 50th Anniversary Team