New York Knickerbockers

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My boys are amazed at my knowledge when it comes to the NBA.

I mentioned that the Knicks won championships that I remembered in 1969 and 1973.

I wasn’t rooting for them because they beat the Lakers in both instances and Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West were my two favorite players.

It’s pretty obscene that I can recall sitting in front of the television and crying in the ‘69 Finals as the Knicks won game 7 - 113-99.

I was just five years old when that game was played. It was also the Willis Reed game.

Reed was hurt earlier in the season and could barely walk, but he opened Game 7, and scored 8 points before leaving.

I’m rooting for the Knicks these days, mostly because they have a lot of Villanova players on their team, and Sam made us watch every single ‘Nova game.

We knew how great Brunson could be.

I don’t watch much of the games, but I’ll catch highlights so that I can chat about it with the boys.

They’re also rooting for the Knicks, who haven’t won a title since ‘73.

After Wilt retired, I had more respect for those Knicks teams.

Clyde Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, Reed, Jerry Lucas, Dave DeBuschere.

They may have been the smartest team ever.

Lucas and Bradley were tagged as geniuses back in the day, and Bradley was a long-time senator when he retired.

I read DeBuschere’s autobiography as a kid. I recall that he wrote it in journal format, and I know I wore that book out.

I wish I still had my copy.

So, go Knicks.

I hope the orange turd doesn’t show up at the Garden and give them the kiss of death.


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