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.

 

(www.BlackPressRadio) - The WNBA Finals is catching a lot of unsuspecting people by surprise. Many who hadn't watched or supported the league are finding themselves tuned in as stars Maya Moore (Lynx) and Tamika Catchings (Fever) have turned up the dial on the game of basketball.

(www.BlackPressRadio) - CC Sabathia, a longtime supporter of BlackPressRadio - announced he is leaving his team immediately to check himself into rehab for alcohol addiction. "Today I am checking myself into an alcohol rehabilitation center to receive the professional care and assistance needed to treat my disease," Sabathia said in a statement. "I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series. "It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player."

(www.BlackPressRadio) - Carmelo Anthony on Monday expressed frustration about reports that he was unhappy with the drafting of Kristaps Porzingis or that he would consider waiving the no-trade clause in his contract. Anthony said he's on board with team president Phil Jackson's plan and answered with an emphatic "hell no" when he was asked if he will look to be moved if the Knicks struggle again this season.

Latest Knicks stories Porzingis' versatility draws raves from Rambis Calderon feeling better in second camp with Knicks Porzingis enjoys battling for starting job Willis Reed encouraged by Knicks' camp Knicks playing it safe with Porzingis' knee "For me to get to that point and decide this is not what it's going to be -- I already came this far," Anthony said after Monday's practice.

"That doesn't even come across my mind at this point." The Knicks took Porzingis, a 7-3 project from Latvia, with the No. 4 pick. Anthony said he had to YouTube highlights of Porzingis to see who he was and how he played. But Anthony's reported displeasure with the pick -- among other things that were linked to him and never explicitly said by him -- bothered him.

by DC Livers

Special to Black Press Sports

(www.BlackPressRadio) - The day that Carmelo Anthony came to the Knicks, I was probably the only person in the city upset that he was coming to town on that day. 

I'd had the day planned to play hooky from work and take my lil one to the movie. It had been so long since we went to a movie, I'd almost forgotten how to spell the word. My little one and I were just about to turn the corner and the movie theater was a block away, but instead my phone went off. A press conference was called to introduce 'Melo. I was instantly pissed. 

I managed to get a friend who lived near Madison Square Garden to agree to watch my child for an hour or two so I could go see what the fuss was all about. When I dropped the baby off, I had my expensive camera in tow. I figured if I had to be there, I might as well rock it. But, as any single mama knows things fall apart at the worst times. I was about to find out just how quickly that would apply to me.

Earlier that day, one of my favorite sportswriters Tony Williams, had published an awesome report with the kick-ass headline about "The Carmelo Curse." It was ballsy - and to be frank, Tony's best work in my opinion.  I was still chuckling about the article as I raced into The Garden, I was thankful for the renovations and construction because I could enter the front of the building instead of the usual media entrance. 

As I was heading to the room where the press conference was being held, I turned around and Melo and his entourage were right behind me. I smiled to myself at the exclusive photo I was about to get. I reached for my camera - still smiling - and realized in a flash: I left the camera in a New York City taxi in front of The Garden. Needless to say, I cursed Mr. Melo again.

Anyone whose ever seen The Garden knows, I'd have better luck finding a needle in a haystack. I was already not liking Mr. Anthony and was hoping we'd find a way to co-exist. I wasn't really liking him very much already when I met his wife, LaLa. She was wearing six inch, custom made heels. 

I saw a reporter fumbling with his iPhone and decided to "help him out" by showing him how to use it. I snapped a pic of LaLa's shoes, a few of the press conference with Carmelo and then "showed" my fellow sportswriter how to email the photos to yourself. Hey, I wasn't going to miss the story even if I had lost my camera.

I spotted Tony and went to congratulate him on the article. He wasn't tweeting so I said, "Let me show you how to use Twitter to own a story." I went to my email, snagged the pics I'd just taken from the iPhone and posted them on the BlackPressRadio Twitter account. I made up a cool relatable hashtag and sat back and watched social media eat it up.

It was a long, long night and the beginning of an interesting relationship with Carmelo and his family.

Working with Carmelo also started my blog "Knicks Chicks" dedicated to women "who love sports and fashion." I fell in love with their super cute son, Kiyan, and loved seeing him at Kids Rock! and other events. Over time felt the iceberg melt and respect creep in for Anthony. I was there when he and his family unveiled his wax statue at Madam Trusao and for many red carpet events. Eventually, our audience voted Carmelo and his family "First Family of Black Press Radio."

To think it all started with a lost camera. Over the years, I've watched Kiyan become a kid model and now a handsome tween. It's been amazing watching LaLa's dreams of being in Hollywood and acting come to be. And Carmelo has grown into a statesman with his Puerto Rican basketball court project and now the boxing program. 

It's been fun covering the champ and finally realizing that it takes a champ to cover a champ. I'm still getting used to people calling me that, but my little one gets a kick out of it so I'm warming up to it. 

While this season may not produce a championship ring, off the court, at least, Carmelo is already king.

by Tony Williams

The Giants may be shorthanded due to the absence of star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, but they are making do with what they have – and so far this summer it’s been good enough to impress their coaches and opponents alike.   

Exhibit A is their joint practices with the Cincinnati Bengals, as the defensive line in particular was able to cause some havoc against Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. And while there wasn’t any contact allowed on the quarterbacks, Dalton was “sacked” many times during 11-on-11 team drills.    Read Tony's full report here.

 

(www.BlackPressRadio.com) - Lauren Hernandez, the talented Latina who stunned the judges during the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships, took home a gold medal and became a breakout star.

(www.BlackPressRadio.com) - For the first time ever, Black athletes were given their own awards show. Carmelo, LeBron and other athletes pitched their idea and won approval to have the awards ceremony be broadcast on Black Entertainment Television Network (BET).

The event was a star studded success with some of the biggest sports stars coming out to show their appreciation. In attendance were Chris Paul, Steph Curry, Carmelo Anthony, among others.