The Knicks

-
My first recolllection of the NBA involved the 1969-1970 NBA Finals.

I loved the Los Angeles Lakers because of Wilt, Baylor and West.

They got beat by the New York Knicks in 7 games. I remember it really well because my Dad was going for the Knicks with Clyde Frazier and Willis Reed.

I was only 5 years old, but if I close my eyes I can still see the Game 7 final score on our small television screen:

New York 113 
Los Angeles 99

Of course, Wilt and the Lakers soon got revenge, ripping off 33 straight and going 69-13 to win the title during the 71' and 72' season.

Then the Knicks won again in '73-'74 and I appreciated that team.

I actually started to root hard for them when Ewing, Starks and Oakley were there.

But they could never get over the hump and they've been pretty awful for a long while. James Dolan bought the team and brought Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson (a player on the old teams and a 10-time title winner).

It's been a shit show since.

The entire gig hit rock bottom this week.

Oakley bought a ticket behind Dolan.

Perhaps there were a few drinks purchased before the game.

Oakley, evidently, was verbally hammering the owner.

Security got involved.

Oakley went nuts.

Escorted out. 

The television cameras caught it all. The crowd was chanting for Oakley. The fans are tired of losing.

Dolan responded by banning Oakley for life...from MSG.

The entire thing stinks. The Knicks being great would be awesome for basketball and while I may be feeling a bit nostalgic for Clyde, Bradley, Reed and Earl the Pearl.

Obviously Oakley didn't pick a great venue to go after the owner of the team. Yet he will certainly have the fans on his side. During the Knicks 4th straight loss on Friday night, with Dolan sitting there, the fans chanted Oakley's name over and over.

1970 was a long time ago.

The Knicks are evidently still paying for making me sad when I was 5.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more