“When I came to the Knicks he was my idol.” Those were the words of Walt “Clyde” Frazier about his teammate Dick Barnett. It was fitting that Clyde was the one who made a surprise announcement of his champion teammate being inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. Everybody in the Knicks knew the moment was well deserved, as he was an integral part of the championship-winning ’70s team. But now the legend is sadly no more with us.

“We are terribly saddened to hear about the passing of Knicks legend, Dr. Richard Barnett. Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off-the-court.” On Sunday afternoon, the New York Knicks announced the devastating loss of the franchise icon at the age of 88. As per reports, the 2x NBA champion passed peacefully in his sleep at a senior living center in Largo, Florida. Now his last year’s HOF moment feels even more emotional.

“Dick Barnett, great news he’s been inducted to the basketball hall of fame,” Clyde Frazier dropped the insider information during the broadcast last year. A fitting tribute, one might add. Barnett played for 14 seasons & was with the Knicks from 1965 to 74, where he won two championships in 1970 & 1973 and was an All-Star in 1968. The HoFer’s jersey #12 also hangs in the rafters as the Knicks retired it in 1990.

Dick Barnett’s “Fall Back Baby” jumper wasn’t just unique — it was legendary. That high-arching shot with a backward lean and leg kick became iconic. He hung in the air just a hair longer than defenders could, fading back and shooting from behind his head. The story of his practice is just as legendary as his jumper.

There was more to ‘Fall Back Baby’ Dick Barnett’s life

How to perfect a shot? Sacrifice is the name of the game. The 2x NBA champion did that by playing one-on-one with older guys. In fact, he would be in the gym even during prom night. The introvert at heart, Barnett, would request the janitors at Roosevelt to keep the lights in the gym on as long as possible. The majority of the time, he was shooting alone.

“I got better, quicker. I was doing this when other guys were not out on the playground in the wintertime.” In an IndyStar interview, Dick Barnett detailed his journey. “I was on the playground dealing in snow and everything else.” His on-court success was not related just to the Knicks. He led the Tennessee A&I University to three straight NAIA national championships. What’s historic about it is that it was the first historically black college or university (HBCU) to win a men’s basketball title in 1957.

After his playing days were behind him, Dick Barnett even earned a doctorate in education from Fordham and spent years teaching sports management at St. John’s University. Thus, an underrated key piece to the great Knicks teams of the early 70s, who did great work post-NBA as a professor, author, and inspirational speaker. That’s why him receiving his induction into the Hall of Fame last year was not only emotional but also fitting.