A Journey Through the NBA

The New York Knicks have always been a franchise with an aura, a rare aura in the basketball world, rivaled perhaps only by the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Big-market team, Madison Square Garden, all the pressure that comes with playing on the NBA stage, it’s definitely not for everyone.

In an exclusive interview, Kenneth Faried, a native of New Jersey, reflected on draft night and the possibility of getting a chance to play in his hometown, something most young athletes only dream of.

“I remember a lot of different teams coming after me and having shown interest,” Faried recalled. “I remember telling the Knicks, and it was nothing against the Knicks, it was just I didn’t want to return home at the time. I was just too nervous, too scared. I just got out of college, I heard a lot of athletes not being able to succeed when they went back home.”

“But for me, I was scared of being drafted back home, and I’ve been telling my agent, ‘Hey, let’s go somewhere else. I don’t wanna show them I’m this talented or kind of give them confidence to, oh, we’re gonna draft him.’ But they still said at the time they were going to draft me. I kind of begged and pretty much prayed they didn’t, because I was, like I said, a scared, young kid,” the New Jersey native added.

A Die-Hard Knicks Fan

Faried, who was something of an old-school specimen in college, dominated for Morehead State between 2007 and 2011. Over four seasons and 136 games, he averaged 14.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks on 56.9 percent shooting from the field.

The two-way beast, known for his raw dominance and athleticism in the paint, drew comparisons to Shawn Kemp in his early days. Like every New Yorker in the ’90s, Faried grew up inspired by a generation led by Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley.

His relentless approach every time he stepped on the court caught the eyes of many scouts, including Glen Grunwald, then the Knicks’ GM. New York was far from its best years and was looking for a star who could handle the weight of the orange-and-white uniform.

However, Faried admits he wasn’t ready for that step in his career, so early, at a point where the pressure of expectations and potential failure could crush a young player. In the end, his wish came true as he was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 22nd pick of the first round.

Rising to Stardom in Colorado

In Colorado, Kenneth quickly became one of the league’s brightest young stars, and his sky-high dunks were featured almost daily on highlight reels, earning him the nickname “Manimal.”

Faried had an impressive rookie season, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting, right behind Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio. He stayed in Denver until 2018, when it became clear that big men of his playing style were becoming less effective in the modern game.

Short stints followed in Houston and Brooklyn, along with a globe-trotting career in Mexico, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Russia, Italy, and, today, in Greece with one of Europe’s top clubs, Panathinaikos, where, at 36, Kenneth still plays a key role in the team’s title ambitions.

A Unique Path

It’s interesting to imagine how Faried’s career might have unfolded if he had been drafted by the Knicks. Even so, there’s little to complain about — the 6-foot-8 big man with a big smile rarely leaves it off his face, and on the court, he remains one of the biggest forces whenever he steps on it.

Faried has always been rooting for the Knicks, even as a kid. His journey through the NBA has been filled with highs and lows, but his passion for the game and dedication to his craft have remained constant. From the college courts of Morehead State to the global stages of international basketball, Faried’s story is one of perseverance, talent, and a deep love for the sport.