Walt Frazier names the toughest player he had to matchup up against in his basketball career: “I'd start off hot and he'd cool me right down”

Walt Frazier was best known throughout his career as one of the best defenders the NBA has ever had. However, "Clyde" could also get it done on offense, especially when his team needed instant scoring.

After entering the league in 1967, Frazier got off to a slow start. He did better in his second year, averaging 17.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 80 regular season games. However, his offense did not define his game; instead, his defensive skills stood out. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team seven times (1969 to 1975).

Frazier's defensive origins

The roots of the Southern Illinois product's defensive prowess started in college. He was a Division I and II All-American and is best remembered as the player who led his team to the NIT title in his senior year in 1967. Walt also won Most Valuable Player honors that same year.

His defense impressed his college coach, Red Holzman. However, his former coach also noted how Frazier had the potential to evolve into a fine offensive weapon. But it was not always smooth sailing for Mr. Cool. Some players, one of whom was the late Gus Johnson, were able to check him in college.

"I'd start off hot and he'd cool me right down," the 5th overall pick of the New York Knicks in the 1967 Draft said via UPI.com .

However, it turns out that this was the same thing that the seven-time All-Star did to players he guarded. He made the lives of his opponents miserable, using his quick hands to leave players guessing what he would do. In his 13 seasons in the NBA, Walt averaged 1.9 steals in 825 regular season games.

"It's like I'm playing possum; I'm there but I don't look like I'm there… That's when they get careless," Frazier said via NBA .

With his savviness on both ends of the court, Frazier was a joy to watch getting recognized as one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history. His defensive efforts were fun to watch since he would ignite the offense of the teams he played for. He spent 10 seasons with the Knicks and 3 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Frazier's efforts on both ends of the court paid off handsomely. He helped the Knicks win the NBA title twice (1970 and 1973) and made the All-NBA First Team four times.

Injuries started to take its toll on the 6-foot-4 player by the late 70s. Foot injuries prevented him from playing consistently. With the Cavs, he managed to suit up in only 66 regular-season games. He ended up retiring in the middle of the 1979-80 season after getting waived by Cleveland.

Regardless, Frazier was quite a player in his prime. He was one of the best two-way players the league ever had, a reason why he is looked up to as one of the most successful defensive guards to play the game.

Related: How Walt Frazier became a defensive legend for the Knicks: “Whenever I made a steal, the crowd wouldn’t shut up”