Marcus Camby

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Camby's arrival in New York began with high expectations after he replaced Charles Oakley, a move he addressed by stating, 'No one can replace Oak. He was the heart and soul and team leader.' In the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season, the Knicks finished 27–23 to secure the final Eastern Conference seed. With Ewing out early in the Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana, Camby stepped up, posting double-doubles in the last three games to lead New York to a six-game series victory and an NBA Finals berth. The team eventually fell to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. The following season saw the Knicks win 50 games with Ewing healthy, but they again lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to Indiana.

In Their Own Story

Tension reached its peak on January 15, 2001, during a game against the San Antonio Spurs. After being hit in the eye while boxing out Spurs forward Danny Ferry, Camby threw a roundhouse swing that missed Ferry when coach Jeff Van Gundy intervened. In the ensuing chaos, Camby head-butted Van Gundy, who required 15 stitches to close a gash above his left eye. Both men were suspended; Camby for five games and fined $25,000. Upon his return, he played his best basketball of that season, averaging 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. Despite this surge, the Knicks were defeated by the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs. Camby later accused the training staff of misdiagnosing injuries that kept him out during the 2001–02 season.

Reader's Guide

Camby was traded to the Knicks in 1998 as part of a deal sending Charles Oakley and Sean Marks' draft rights to New York. He played four seasons for the team, primarily serving as a backup to Patrick Ewing until Ewing's Achilles injury in 1999. During that playoff run, Camby became the primary interior presence, guiding the eighth-seeded Knicks to the NBA Finals. His statistical contributions included leading the league in blocked shots per game (3.7) during the 1997–98 season while still with Toronto, a streak of dominance he brought to New York. However, his time in New York ended after the 2001–02 season due to injuries and disagreements regarding medical care before being traded to Denver.

Did You Know?

• Camby stated of Charles Oakley upon joining the team: 'No one can replace Oak. He was the heart and soul and team leader.'
• In the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals, Camby averaged double-doubles in the last three games to help the Knicks upset the Indiana Pacers.
• On January 15, 2001, Camby head-butted his own coach, Jeff Van Gundy, resulting in 15 stitches for the coach and a five-game suspension for Camby.
• Camby led the NBA in blocked shots per game (3.7) during the 1997–98 season before being traded to New York.