New York Knickerbockers legend and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dick McGuire, who helped shape the franchise’s destiny for more than half a century, passed away today on Long Island at the age of 84. He died at Huntington Hospital of natural causes.
McGuire, who had been part of the Knicks for 53 of the franchise’s 64 seasons, served the team as a player, head coach, assistant coach, chief scout, and in his most current position of senior basketball consultant. His jersey No. 15 was retired on Mar. 1, 1992 and hangs from the rafters of Madison Square Garden. In 1993, McGuire was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Dick McGuire was the epitome of what it means to be a Knickerbocker: pride, tradition and class,” said Donnie Walsh, President, Basketball Operations. “It was an honor to watch him play for our hometown team and I consider myself very lucky to say I worked alongside a man who shaped the National Basketball Association for parts of all eight decades of its existence.”
The Bronx-native, born on Jan. 26, 1926, represented the Knicks in five NBA All-Star Games (1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956) and led the team to three straight NBA Finals appearances (1951, 1952, 1953). He is still third on the franchise’s all-time assists list (2,950).
McGuire is survived by his wife Teri, four grown children: Richard Jr., Leslie, Michael and Scott, and seven grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.
