Ranking the 11 greatest Knicks players ever, from Patrick Ewing to Jalen Brunson

Ranking the 11 greatest Knicks players ever, from Patrick Ewing to Jalen Brunson originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Knicks have a long history as one of the NBA's most recognizable brands, so it's no surprise numerous stars have walked through the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden and put on the blue and orange.

Even so, winning at a high level has been a challenge. The Knicks haven't won a championship since 1973, coming close on occasion but struggling to climb all the way back to the top. Here are the stars who have taken the Knicks to new heights — and the ones who gave their all despite not getting there.

The Sporting News ranks the 11 best players in Knicks history, from Patrick Ewing to Jalen Brunson. Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player's strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

MORE: When was the last time the Knicks won an NBA Championship? 11. Allan Houston (1996-2005) Accolades: 9 seasons; 11,165 points; 2-time All-Star; 1 NBA Finals appearance Why he made SN's list: Allan Houston wasn't part of the Knicks' run to the NBA Finals in 1994, but he joined the team in 1996 and became one of the driving forces behind a New York team that remained a contender in the back half of the 1990s and into the early 2000s.