Forgotten Players: Marcus Camby (Feat. Sam Gedeon)
When it came to some of the strongest, physically big men, Marcus Camby was a dominant force out of his draft class. As he transitioned to the NBA, Camby became one of the dominant centers who displayed guard-like skills early. His name may have flown under the radar since his retirement, but there are still fans across the world who understand Camby’s impact on big men today.
College Days
Starting with college, the University of Massachusetts saw greatness upon Camby since his freshman season in High School. Although he lacked physical strength at a young age, Camby had a big growth spurt in his senior season, having him well prepared for what college had to offer him.
Camby had a phenomenal three seasons at UMASS. He was a freshman sensation early and continued the momentum going forward. Through his three-year college career, Camby averaged 15.1 points per game along with seven rebounds and three blocks in the process. He continued to be a machine on both ends providing dominance around the rim. Camby led UMASS to 35 wins in 1996, along with winning National Player of the Year unanimously as well. As it comes down to record-breaking stats for the program, Camby remains at the top in blocked shots. The impressive stats exemplify his dedication to the defensive side of the floor.
From college to the NBA
Fast forward to the NBA, Camby was selected as the second overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in a legendary 1996 NBA Draft. In just a matter of time, Camby showed his emergence early with the Raptors. In two seasons, he averaged 13.5 points while even contributing three blocks in the process. Toronto was orchestrated around a young team that didn’t find a lot of success in two seasons with Camby. Eventually, Camby would be traded to the New York Knicks, becoming a young asset for the future.
Run to the NBA Finals with the Knicks
The Camby signing became a phenomenal one for New York. As the team looked to remain in contention for a championship, bringing in a young breed was the right decision to take place. The 98–99 Knicks team was led by Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, and a young Marcus Camby. Camby played a phenomenal role becoming the sixth man for New York. Although his scoring outbursts came and went, his versatility and quickness elevated the tram’s play on both ends of the floor.
During the Knicks’ 27–23 lockout season, Camby averaged 7.2 points along with 5.5 rebounds. He showed tremendous contributions through the first two rounds against Miami and Atlanta. Once Ewing went down with an Achilles injury, that was the moment where Camby was inserted into the starting lineup.
As the Knicks went up against Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers, Camby played tremendous, all-around basketball. Once the series transitioned to Madison Square Garden for game three, Camby played lights out, averaging 18.7 points through the last four games along with 11.7 rebounds. He did an excellent job at running the floor and providing effort in protecting the paint. As Camby and the Knicks were rolling, the team became the first eighth seed to make an NBA Finals, showing optimism for their future.
As the Knicks lost to the Spurs four games to one, there was a great positive energy that surrounded New York. The team was relatively young, but they showed resilience and effort with the potential to grow as a unit. The next season, the Knicks won 50 games on the season. Camby’s role in the rotation continued to grow as his time in New York went by.
However, New York could not get over the hump the next two years. The team lost to Indiana in the Conference Finals in 2000, while also falling to Toronto in 2001. Throughout the 01–02 season, Camby suffered through lingering injuries, forcing him to only participate in 29 games on the season. As the Knicks finished the season with a 30–52 record, it was time for the front office to shake up the roster and go in a new direction.
Time in Denver and pairing with Melo
Camby would later be traded to the Denver Nuggets in the 2002 offseason. The experience playing along with veteran leaders in New York allowed him to go into Denver more prepared. As Camby teamed up alongside Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets were back in playoff contention in 2004. Camby averaged 8.6 points and 10.1 rebounds on the year. The Nuggets won 43 games on the season while landing a playoff spot. Unfortunately, Denver was defeated by the Timberwolves in the first round.
Due to Camby’s defensive presence, he was a huge part in turning the franchise into a consistent winning franchise. From 2005–2008, Camby lead the NBA in blocks for three consecutive seasons, which resulted in a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2007. As the Nuggets showed more development, they were able to acquire key guys in Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, and others.
The impressive game that stands out from Camby’s tenure with the Nuggets came against the Seattle Supersonics in 2008. As always, he showed his versatility as a hybrid power forward. He controlled the game on both ends and distributed the ball at a high level. Due to Camby’s performance, the Nuggets ran away with the game at Pepsi Center. Camby finished the contest with 13 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks en route to a 52 point victory for the Nuggets.
After the 2008 season, both Camby and Denver, unfortunately, couldn’t agree to remain in the Mile High City. The team was swepped by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round and it was time for a roster change. Camby expressed his frustrations with being traded but unfortunately was forced to move on. He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for second-round picks. In his year and a half in Los Angeles, Camby became a phenomenal veteran presence. He had an opportunity to pair with talented players in Zach Randolph and Chris Kaman. Camby also had shining moments with the Clippers as well. For instance, he grabbed a career-high 27 rebounds in a game against the Chicago Bulls.
New Adventures
Camby would eventually be traded again to Portland. For a team in the West looking to get over the hump, Camby was a huge piece in providing leadership. The Blazers were dealing with injuries from their number one pick in Greg Oden. With that being said, Camby was quickly inserted into the starting lineup to pair alongside LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy.
Camby spent three seasons in a Portland uniform. As he was still battling lingering injuries, he still managed to provide the same defensive tangibles that he always has. Camby became a huge piece in the playoffs for Portland. He was asked to take the tasks to defend players in Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, and others through the years. It may have been a difficult night defending great power forwards/centers, but Camby always stepped up to the challenge ahead of him. Camby made sure to leave his mark on the floor for Portland, allowing the rest of the team to take in information as a defensive anchor.
Looking back on Camby’s career!
After three seasons, Camby found himself in Houston in 2012, which later resulted in a reunion in New York. When people reflect on his career, it must be an acknowledgment for Camby to be known as more than a defensive product. As the NBA lacked the versatility of distributing from big men, Camby became a modern center who could score, rebound, and pass. It was a very valuable 17-year career for Camby as he paved the way for other centers in the future.
It was only right to get a view on Camby’s days in New York from a Knicks fans perspective. My guy Sam (@fbl_sam) looks at Camby’s impact for New York through his lens.
Sam Gedeon
Marcus Camby, a somewhat pseudo-Knicks legend. He’s not up there with the likes of Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, or Bernard King but he’s not someone Knicks fans forget.
Acquired in draft-day deal from the Toronto Raptors, where he spent his first two years, he became a contributor from day one in New York. He played backup for Patrick Ewing as the Knicks looked to contend in the Eastern Conference.
The 1999 lockout-shortened season is where Camby made a name for himself in New York. During that year’s playoffs, Patrick Ewing went down with an Achilles injury and was sidelined. Someone had to step up and take minutes at the 5 and that was Camby. During the Pacers series, he averaged 14.3 ppg and 10.7 rpg with 2.2 spg as well as 3 bpg in 6 games. He was part of a collective effort to make up for the missing Ewing amongst Knicks players.
During that Finals vs the Spurs, Camby did his best to keep up with Tim Duncan and David Robinson but only put up 9.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg in a 5 game series as the Knicks got gentleman swept.
The 1999 Knicks hold a special place in every New Yorker’s heart and Camby was an important piece to that squad.
Camby spent two more seasons with the Knicks before heading to Denver, where he would win a Defensive Player of the Year in 2006–07. He led the league in blocks four times throughout his 19-year NBA career, always providing interior defense at all his stops.
Before his career ended, he made one last stop where he was loved the most, New York, because as the saying goes “Once a Knick, Always a Knick”. Signed as mainly a backup and veteran presence Camby spent most of his time on the bench cheering on the 54-win Knicks squad as Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks to their first playoff series win in years.
Shortly after, Camby retired with career averages of 9.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, and 2.4 bpg. Always a solid interior presence and part of a legendary Knicks team and no one can take that from him.
