Love Italian Style

It’s been three weeks now since Mike Walsh hired Mike D’Antoni to be the coach of the New York Knicks. We haven’t lost a game so far which means they've already improved the team! Mike D. brings an impressive 267-172 (.608) lifetime record to the job. I bet he wishes that he could bring the Phoenix Sun’s players over here too. With the Knicks, one miracle at a time though. As we all know, this first one has been a long time coming.

Hope For Knicks Hoops?

Rumors are flying below the basket now that New York Knickerbocker fans may soon be nearing the end of their long, dark drive through the Isiah Thomas Tunnel-Vision Tunnel. According to inside sources, team owner Jim Dolan is talking with retiring Indiana Pacer executive Donnie Walsh. Hopefully, Dolan is also chatting with the very best GM & coaches around the game. To the basketball gods in the heavens, we beseech you … deliver us Knick fans from this dark and dreadful place we're in!

Stern Unconcerned

At the NBA’s 2008 All-Star Game, basketball Commissioner David Stern made some comments about our beloved Knicks. He said, “I’m optimistic, at least for next season.” And to think that we fans in New York were looking ahead to another catastrophic, hopeless year at Madison Square Garden. Silly us!

Beagle Is Numero UNO At The Garden

Congratulations are heartily given to Uno and his handler, Aaron Wilkerson. Uno was the first beagle in the 132 year history of Westminster to claim first prize. From all accounts, he performed magnificently throughout the event. His championship title was justly deserved. Hopefully my New York Rangers or your New York Knicks will each win their next championship in fewer years than that. Bet on the Rangers doing it. Bet on a beagle winning again before the Knicks do.

Westminster Dog Show Vs. Knicks Dog Show

Madison Square Garden welcomed a new set of dogs this week. However, this group of championship hounds performed at a level that far exceeded any we’ve seen in recent years by our Knicks. Kind of makes one dream of Rin Tin Tin, Lassie and Old Yeller up front with Eddie (Frasier) and Benji in the backcourt. We should only be so lucky.

Ready The “Canyon of Heroes” For A Parade!

Sorry. Wishful thinking. No need to make plans to clear Broadway in lower Manhattan just yet. I got a bit carried away because my Knicks have a three-game winning streak. Will miracles never cease? Probably. Probably soon.

Hostage Crisis Continues In Manhattan

It began on December 22, 2003, though only a handful suspected it at the time. On that day, we welcomed Isiah as the next savior of the Knickerbockers franchise. A little over four years later, the Knicks are 9-26 with the 3rd worst record in the NBA. Their excessive team payroll is among the worst in the NBA as well. Isiah Thomas remains team President and Coach. He's still preaching though about the good times ahead. Ownership seems unlikely to make an obvious change anytime soon. Let’s be honest. There’s no reason or hope to expect the imminent release of diehard Knick fans trapped inside the torture cell known as "Madison Square Garden."

To someone who began following the Knicks in the late 1960’s when the team had Reed, DeBusschere, Bradley, Frazier and Barnett, this year’s group is hardly worth mentioning in the same sentence. To be fair, perhaps it’s not the players' fault. After all, they were brought here by the team’s savior ... the one who’s turned out to be nothing more than another false prophet. Marv Albert screamed “YESSSSSSS!” in his old broadcast days. Does anyone doubt when he watches a Knicks’ "boredcast" now he's shouting, “NOOOOOOO!” at the television? Luckily for him, he’s no longer a prisoner in the Garden. He’s free of the routine pain and suffering. Too bad we all can't be freed.

For my last shot at the buzzer, I loosely translate the line of a "Sonny and Cher" song to now read ... “And the beatings go on.” That new song line should be played loudly after each new loss. Maybe someday, they'll hear it in the owner's box.

Knicks Reality TV?

The controversy about the New York Knicks hiring actors to parade themselves as “Knick fans” in a series of new MSG television commercials seems to have been resolved. The actors when questioned confirmed they were in fact "Garden groupies" who truly love our boys in blue and orange. Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction! Perhaps the real question that should have been asked was … why didn’t the casting agency put out a call for stuntmen instead of actors? After all, no actors could properly display the pain and suffering that true Knick fans have endured for all these years. A guy used to getting bloodied and broken is what’s needed for that role!