A fan-based argument on why it’s time for a new coach
Something is missing Madison Square Garden. Reporter DC Livers breaks down what it is.
By DC Livers (special to Black Press Radio)
NEW YORK, NY – Watching the 2015-2016 Knicks squad play is
bittersweet. Sure, being a part of anyone’s rookie season is a lot of fun. I
enjoyed watching players like Chris Copeland, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis play
their first games at Madison Square Garden so of course I’m enjoying watching Kristaps Porzingis try to get down in the boogie down.
Still, something is missing.
There is NO HEART. The team hasn’t
completely “gelled” and it’s at times awkward to witness the disjointed efforts
of the franchise. It’s not just the team. It’s the entire franchise from the top
to the bottom. But mostly, it’s the coach.
I’m sure that Derek Fisher is a
fine person and has plans to be a very good coach. He’s certainly got potential
to be a force to be dealt with but he’s not ready to coach America’s team. The
Knicks are too much team for him. I’m not talking about the players. I’m not
talking about Madison Square Garden or the Big Apple. I’m talking about ALL of
it.
If you’ll indulge me a little Kanye-like rant, you’ll likely see I’m
right.
Porzingis: How long can his
people allow him to be mediocre?
Phil Jackson’s “ZENfulness” may
be the wrong vibe for The Garden
Bill Laimbeer is the right coach
for the Knicks.
Aside from Phil Jackson’s squad,
the best teams that Knicks have had in recent memory involved a group of bad boys.
History doesn’t lie.
From Latrell “Choke-a-Coach”
Spreewell to J.R. Smith, the Knicks teams that had a few “bad eggs” did the
best on the court, took the team the farthest and most importantly, made the
crowd happy.
With two fifths of the Detroit
Bad Boys - including Bill Laimbeer who now coaches the New York Liberty and
Isaiah Thomas, who is the Liberty’s president - currently under contract with
the Madison Square Garden franchise, it’s hard to imagine why the management
would waste an opportunity to take advantage. Awkward contradictions aside, the
Knicks need those bad boys to help restore the heart and soul of the team.
This summer, I covered the WNBA Playoffs and
was credentialed for the WNBA Finals. In the Playoffs between the New York
Liberty and Indiana Fever, Coach Laimbeer stole the show. His excitement, strategy
and commitment to his team was overpowering the game. With nearly every play,
journalists, fans and the players found ourselves looking to Laimbeer to get
his reaction. He didn’t disappoint. At one play, he kicked the air. He had
Bobby Knight reactions and got technical fouls.
Unlike Derek Fisher, the Knicks’
current coach, there was rarely any time for hands in the pockets. Fisher
straddles the sideline like his waiting for a cake to bake. He’s patient and
understanding and exhibits little heart or commitment. Sure, his style displays
extreme professionalism, epic emotional control and deep strategy, but we’re
talking about Madison Square Garden. Fans and players are not looking for a
spiritual mentor. They are looking for a coach with heart.
Think Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy who barely stands 6 foot but has
the heart of a giant. When his 1998-1999 Knicks got into an on court brawl, he
didn’t put his hands in his pockets and take a fatherly approach of “talking it
out.” Van Gundy leapt to the floor, wrapped his arms around opponent player
Alonzo Mourning’s legs and was drug across the floor in a gut-wrenching but
street cred building manner. It was one of the greatest moments in coaching
history because it showed his players that he was literally DOWN FOR WHATEVER.
He proved he was one of them and would have their backs no matter what, especially
against their heated rival Miami Heat. He did it for the team but some could argue that he did it for the fans, too.
Knick fans were a huge “sixth man” for the team as they headed to the NBA
Finals! It is easily one of the best years that the Knicks have ever had,
especially from a fan perspective
Think Knicks coach Pat Riley. When his Knicks were having playoff
heartburn, Coach Riley took Patrick Ewing and others to see Bruce Willis’
movie, “Die Hard.” He gave a slow clap
worthy speech about never giving up that was prolific.
In contrast, the 2015-2016
Knicks haven’t given the fans much appreciation. On Opening Night, fans were
treated to blue and orange t-shirts on their chairs that made The Garden feel
electric, but since then fans haven’t gotten hats, towels are much love from
the team. It’s disappointing and disrespectful in many ways. It reminded me of
watching the movie, “The Walk,” in which a tight rope artist walked from one World
Trade Center building to the other – eight times back and forth in total. He
would say in the movie, “You have to respect the audience. They are part of the
act. If you don’t respect them, nothing matters.” The Knicks aren’t doing a
good job of respecting their audience.
Consider how Dean McDowell of the Indiana Fever and Pacers treats his fans and you’ll see
that the Knicks have some work to do. McDowell’s WNBA games are electric, the
stadium is on fire with excitement. The fans have jerseys and the Banker’s Life
Fieldhouse is transformed into a fan frenzy. There fans can walk the circle of
the arena and take photos at exhibits that will put their photo on the “cover”
of the Indianapolis Star. There’s an exhibit that allows fans to put a wreath
around their necks, hold a bottle of milk amid the Indianapolis 500 backdrop
and feel like a winner with a photograph to prove it. In fact, there are so
many fan-based exhibits that it’s hard not to get into the game.
And the players know it.
Take Game 1 of the Fever vs.
Liberty playoffs. There is no conceivable way that the Fever were able to
win that game, especially considering that star player Tamika Catchings went into the fourth quarter with just two points.
With the crowd’s help, Catchings went on a Jordan-like scoring frenzy and
finished with 21 points lifting her team over the stunned Liberty. Watching
Laimbeer’s reaction was almost as dizzying as watching Catchings abuse the
boards.
On top of it, the event staff has
balloon drops during each game that has to be an advertiser’s dream as each
balloon is attached to a promotional item. Sometimes it’s a gift card for a
free carwash or $5 at McDonald’s. McDowell ties the promotions into the season’s
sponsors in a way that makes you want to thank the companies for the
experience.
When you come to The Garden,
there should be an electric vibe around the arena that feels like a heartbeat.
There should be promotions with sponsors the next day for free pizza or prizes.
Passersby should feel the excitement and want to be a part of it. New York is
home to dee jays, dancers and the like so it’s almost unforgivable that there
isn’t more hype around each game. A year
or two ago, the Knicks had a placed a great deal of effort on fan experience
going from bar-to-bar and getting fans involved in the game. It was truly
awesome to watch and desperately needed this season especially since the Knicks
have a great player in Porzingis and a really impressive squad.
The Knicks should throw the
kitchen sink to get Patrick Ewing to work with Porzingis. No one but Ewing can
do the job. He understands the demands of the town, the requirements of being
worthy of being a Knick. He knows how to survive unbearable heartbreak in The
Garden. He’s been there. He’s done it. He can help Porzingis do it. If Ewing
isn’t brought to help, Porzingis will likely walk before his contract requires.
Today’s league is not about contracts. For the right price, anyone can be
available or sent packing. If the Knicks hope to keep Porzingis around, they
had better be willing to put aside some hurt feelings and get Ewing in the
building, stat.