Even across the stands, the Knickerbockers cannot hold its own. This is the kind of confusion that New York's NBA team is currently facing.
No amount of respect can take off the cuffs from former Knick player Charles Oakley who has been seen sparking a melee when he tangled up with some guards during a game between the Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers. It has taken six security personnel to extricate all of the bruising forward's 6-foot-9 and 260-pound stature out of Madison Square Garden.
Oakley, who was part of a highly competitive Knicks era that featured notable players like Patrick Ewing, Anthony Mason and John Starks, has just became a part of New York's frustrating season. After being escorted out of the place many considered as the mecca of basketball, he has been promptly charged at a Manhattan police station.
This is not the first time that the Knicks have been disrespectful to people who are considered an essential part of its history. The management has made it somewhat of a habit to drive away individuals who had made contributions at some point in the past.
For instance, popular announcer Marv Albert has been left out without a contract years ago. Being one of the world's greatest basketball media anchor cannot saved him from getting ousted out of the Garden.
Even the Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing has been disregarded by the Knicks to be a part of their coaching staff. Apparently, the center's dedication and loyalty to the team mean nothing considering that he has become one of the promising assistant coaches in the league without any assistance or appreciation from the ball club he helped tow during its playoff runs in the 90s.
With the New York Knicks on the brink of missing their fourth straight playoff appearance, the incident does not really help. With the Machiavellian maneuvering of team President Phil Jackson against star player Carmelo Anthony becoming a fixture, the organization is actually flawed in many ways one can imagine.
Current TNT analyst and former Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller best sums up the scenario in New York when he commented recently why players associate themselves with a President who indirectly attacks individuals or an owner who disrespects past greats.
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