I have been following the Knicks for a long time, before it was chic. When the player's names were Komives and Bellamy, before DeBusschere, Reed, Frazier, Barnett, Bradley and Monroe were household names, I was watching the Knicks when ever they were on the road.
In those days there was no TNT or ESPN there was only WOR channel 9 in NYC and because of blackout rules home games were never shown on TV and I never had the opportunity to see the Knicks in person until
I played at the Old Garden and then the New Garden, which stands on 33st. and 7th ave during my HS basketball playing days at Saint Augustine's HS in Park Slope.
The Knicks watched us play, in a near empty MSG, prior to their own game, which was the night cap of the basketball double header. Meeting Willis Reed in the runway to the court after our game was finished is still fresh in my mind, as is seeing the MSG marquee with the names of the teams in lights on the December night.
This year's team, led by the Brooklyn born Carmelo Anthony is off to the best start since forever and they remind people of a time when the Garden would be rocking, from well before the game started, to the final horn.
Red Holzman would be proud of the current Knicks' team play and defense. The 69/70 championship is evidence of what those two concepts can do to a team, of course Holzman had a future HOF at every position and one on the bench and no bigger presence than Willis Reed. In Reed, Red had the last line of defense and on offense a player who could shoot as well from the outside as well as dominate inside. In one February game that season against the Baltimore Bullets, Reed had 36 points and astonishing 36 rebounds. During that 69/70 season Willis was selected MVP of the All Star game, the League MVP and MVP of the NBA Finals.
Melo is this years version of Willis Reed and as the 69/70 team revolved around Reed, this years team revolves him. The supporting cast is crucial clog in the Knicks' early success. JR Smith is playing the best basketball of his career coming off the bench.
I like this team and I like Woodson and his coaching style. Today's game is a big test for the Knicks as they play the now winners of 4 in a row Lakers in La La Land. Today, maybe Knick fans get to see Amare Stoudemire who has not played one minute this season and has been rumored to be ready to play. There are many fans who are wondering what Stoudemire's role will be and will he be happy playing second fiddle to Melo.
Lets Go Knicks
In those days there was no TNT or ESPN there was only WOR channel 9 in NYC and because of blackout rules home games were never shown on TV and I never had the opportunity to see the Knicks in person until
I played at the Old Garden and then the New Garden, which stands on 33st. and 7th ave during my HS basketball playing days at Saint Augustine's HS in Park Slope.
The Knicks watched us play, in a near empty MSG, prior to their own game, which was the night cap of the basketball double header. Meeting Willis Reed in the runway to the court after our game was finished is still fresh in my mind, as is seeing the MSG marquee with the names of the teams in lights on the December night.
This year's team, led by the Brooklyn born Carmelo Anthony is off to the best start since forever and they remind people of a time when the Garden would be rocking, from well before the game started, to the final horn.
Red Holzman would be proud of the current Knicks' team play and defense. The 69/70 championship is evidence of what those two concepts can do to a team, of course Holzman had a future HOF at every position and one on the bench and no bigger presence than Willis Reed. In Reed, Red had the last line of defense and on offense a player who could shoot as well from the outside as well as dominate inside. In one February game that season against the Baltimore Bullets, Reed had 36 points and astonishing 36 rebounds. During that 69/70 season Willis was selected MVP of the All Star game, the League MVP and MVP of the NBA Finals.
Melo is this years version of Willis Reed and as the 69/70 team revolved around Reed, this years team revolves him. The supporting cast is crucial clog in the Knicks' early success. JR Smith is playing the best basketball of his career coming off the bench.
I like this team and I like Woodson and his coaching style. Today's game is a big test for the Knicks as they play the now winners of 4 in a row Lakers in La La Land. Today, maybe Knick fans get to see Amare Stoudemire who has not played one minute this season and has been rumored to be ready to play. There are many fans who are wondering what Stoudemire's role will be and will he be happy playing second fiddle to Melo.
Lets Go Knicks
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