Bernard King: The Unstoppable Scorer and Forgotten Legend of the NBA
When you think of the greatest scorers in NBA history, names like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James often come to mind. But one name that deserves to be in the same breath, and perhaps doesn’t get the recognition he truly deserves, is Bernard King. A scoring machine and a fierce competitor, King was one of the most electrifying players of the 1980s. His career was defined by extraordinary highs and devastating lows, but his impact on the game remains unforgettable.
Early Career: A Star is Born
Bernard King was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1956, and from an early age, it was clear that basketball was his calling. Standing 6’7”, King’s size, speed, and scoring ability made him a standout player at Fort Hamilton High School, which earned him a scholarship to the University of Tennessee.
At Tennessee, King, along with teammate Ernie Grunfeld, formed the famous “Ernie and Bernie Show,” lighting up scoreboards and becoming one of the most dynamic duos in college basketball. His ability to score from anywhere on the court, combined with his physicality, made him a nightmare for defenders. King left Tennessee after his junior year and entered the 1977 NBA Draft, where he was selected seventh overall by the New Jersey Nets.
Rise to Stardom: Offensive Juggernaut
King made an immediate impact in the NBA, averaging 24.2 points per game in his rookie season with the Nets, showing flashes of the offensive brilliance that would define his career. However, his early years were marred by off-court issues, and his time with the Nets and later the Utah Jazz didn’t showcase his full potential.
It wasn’t until he was traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1980 that King truly began to blossom. In Golden State, he averaged over 21 points per game and was named an All-Star in 1982. However, his career truly took off after being traded to the New York Knicks in 1982 — a homecoming for the Brooklyn native.
New York Knicks: The Apex of His Career
Playing in the mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden, Bernard King became a legend. His ability to score was nothing short of breathtaking. He had a complete offensive repertoire — deadly in the post, lightning-quick off the dribble, and a lethal mid-range jumper. King didn’t just score; he scored in bunches and often in the most crucial moments.
One of the most iconic moments of his career came on Christmas Day in 1984 when King dropped 60 points on the New Jersey Nets, setting a franchise record. At the time, it was the highest-scoring game in Knicks history, and it symbolized King’s ability to dominate any opponent. His 1984–85 season was one for the ages — he averaged 32.9 points per game, leading the league in scoring, and was named to the All-NBA First Team. King’s dominance was particularly evident in his back-to-back 50-point games in March 1984, a feat that still ranks as one of the greatest scoring achievements in NBA history.
Playoff Heroics
King’s playoff performances were equally impressive. In 1984, during the first round of the playoffs against the Detroit Pistons, he put on one of the most memorable displays of individual scoring ever seen. Despite suffering from two dislocated fingers, King averaged an astounding 42.6 points per game in the series, including two 46-point games. His relentless scoring and ability to take over games with sheer willpower solidified his place among the NBA’s elite.
Though the Knicks didn’t make it to the NBA Finals during King’s tenure, his individual performances, especially in the playoffs, showed that he was one of the most dominant offensive players of his era.
The Injury That Changed Everything
As great as Bernard King was, his career was tragically derailed by a devastating injury. In March 1985, during a game against the Kansas City Kings, King tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus — an injury that, at the time, many believed would end his career. In the 1980s, knee injuries of that magnitude were often career-enders, and for a player whose game relied so heavily on his athleticism, it seemed like an insurmountable challenge.
King missed the entire 1985–86 season and much of the 1986–87 season as he worked tirelessly to rehabilitate his knee. The Knicks, uncertain if he would ever return to form, drafted Patrick Ewing and began building a new team. Eventually, they parted ways with King, and he was forced to continue his career elsewhere.
The Comeback: Washington Bullets and Final Chapter
Though many wrote him off, Bernard King was not finished. After two years of grueling rehab, he returned to the NBA with the Washington Bullets in 1987. While he wasn’t the same player who had dominated the league in New York, King worked hard to reinvent his game. He developed an even more refined post-up game and became a more cerebral player, relying less on athleticism and more on craftiness and experience.
In the 1990–91 season, at the age of 34, King shocked the basketball world by averaging 28.4 points per game — his highest total since before his injury. He was named an All-Star for the fourth and final time, proving that his indomitable spirit and love for the game had overcome one of the most severe injuries in sports.
King played two more seasons before retiring in 1993, having scored over 19,000 points in his NBA career. Despite his injury, his ability to return to All-Star form remains one of the greatest comeback stories in NBA history.
Legacy: A Forgotten Legend?
For all of Bernard King’s accomplishments, he often doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves in discussions of NBA greats. Perhaps it’s because his prime was cut short by injury, or perhaps because he played in an era overshadowed by legends like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan. Whatever the reason, King’s impact on the game should never be forgotten.
In 2013, King was rightfully inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a recognition that was long overdue. His ability to score, especially in clutch situations, was second to none. His work ethic, resilience, and passion for the game make him one of the most inspirational figures in basketball history.
Bernard King’s journey from Brooklyn playgrounds to NBA stardom, and his remarkable comeback from a career-threatening injury, make him one of the most fascinating and inspiring figures in basketball. His scoring prowess, highlighted by iconic performances with the Knicks and Bullets, left an indelible mark on the game.
While he may not be as celebrated as some of his contemporaries, Bernard King’s legacy is secure. He was, and always will be, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, a player whose determination and skill transcended the court and earned him a place among the legends of the game.