11 Comments

Wasn't Ewing also referred to as the "Big fella"?

https://nypost.com/2001/02/28/ex-mates-praise-big-fella-ewing-hailed-by-those-who-knew-him-best/

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He was indeed. Will mention this in an addendum to the nickname column coming later this week!

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I don’t see how Mass is different than Oak.

A few other nicknames come to mind, none a contender for the title (except for Red, which is pretty pedestrian, the others Knick contributions were short lived or negligible), which really belongs to Clyde for the reasons you gave.

Red Holzman

Marvin the Human Eraser Webster

Truck Robinson

Dave the Rave Stallworth

Nate the Snake Bowman

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I didn't get into it in the letter, but Oak's tumultuous relationship with several teammates certainly altered my thinking here, but that is fair. Like I wrote, Mase was a highly personal choice. The other suggestions are great!

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Jumping Johnny Green deserved a mention.

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I like it. Simple but apt.

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Not only apt #1 draft pick by Knicks had quite a career. He did a stint in the Service drafted as a 26 year old and played effectively until the age of 39.

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I never heard your description of Bradley as a cheapskate, and I was around then. His nickname came from the fact that he signed a very big (by the standards of the day) initial contract with the Knicks after completing his Rhodes Scholar year abroad.

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Will be putting an addendum in later this week...this WAS apparently the genesis of the name, while his frugality was more something his teammates chided him for after the fact.

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Of course, no nickname will ever beat Hawthorne Wingo's real name.

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Fantastic point, and one not made nearly enough

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