Here Come the Knicks

NBA Eastern Conference Semis
May 1984

Forget about the image of Isiah Thomas careening downcourt, creating something offensively out of nothing. Picture instead Bernard King throwing in 40 points, seemingly without ever touching the ball. The Knicks are a-comin', and this means that between Bernard King and Bill Cartwright, no Celtics fan need ever say he hasn't seen enough post-ups. Hubie Brown basketball is inside power basketball, and not everybody thinks that style of basketball is aesthetically pleasing. To Hubie, however, power basketball is positively symphonic. Easy for him to say; he's got Bernard King.

"I think," said Brown, "it's going to be a sensational series. It will be a purist's series - good defense, shot blocking, good halfcourt offense. It won't be reckless, the way it is when Isiah Thomas is involved." Brown discounts any possibility of a Knicks' emotional letdown following Friday night's epic 127-123 overtime conquest of the Pistons. "Playing another big game so soon, that's pro basketball," Hubie said. "In Boston we'll have a sellout house, CBS-TV, all the trappings. If you're any kind of a winner, you look forward to this."

That being the case, meet the New York Knicks:

In second half of the season, plus playoffs, averaged 91 points a game while shooting 83 percent from the floor. Just kidding, but that's not too far off. Playing with two dislocated middle fingers that often force him to steer ball into basket from heel of hand ("As long as I get proper elevation, I'm OK" - King), he illuminated Pistons for 36, 46, 46, 41 and 44 to set NBA five- game scoring record of 213 points . . . His basic is a lightning-release turnaround jumper, but he can face-up with equal accuracy and is a superb transition player. Currently the single greatest scoring threat drawing a breath on planet Earth . . . What's left to say about King," inquired Brown on Friday? "Just put Ditto.' "

Yearns to score, but job here is to board and get the hell out of Bernard's way . . . Once led league in rebounds . . . Believes he could score 30 a game if King weren't here, but at least has decency to admit team would win 25 games if that were the case.

BILL CARTWRIGHT, 7-0, C

Possesses Parish-like turnaround jumper . . . Always shoots in mid-50s from floor . . . Soft rebounder and defender, and this will apparently never change . . . "Nobody understands his limitations more than I," said Brown, "but he is what he is and he's the only player on this team who could generate even half of Bernard's market value."

RAY WILLIAMS, 6-3, G

Godfather of all Trick or Treat guards . . . Has every physical skill, but is annually voted man most likely to have the coach dining on cyanide pellets at season's end.

RORY SPARROW, 6-2, G

Sticky defender and solid floor leader . . . Did not shoot well vs. Detroit . . . Got big bucks after last year, and had so-so season . . . Engineering major at Villanova.

MARVIN WEBSTER, 7-1, C

Can block shots and rebound . . . Sticks occasional jumper . . . About once every five games is a major force.

LOUIS ORR, 6-8, F

Key sub who plays either forward spot . . . Built like Olive Oyl (official nickname, however, is "Gandhi").

DARRELL WALKER, 6-2, G

Pay attention here. Might be best young defensive guard prospect to enter the league in a decade . . . Ballhandler should never turn his back if Walker is in same time zone.

TRENT TUCKER, 6-5, G

Remember Dick Snyder? Jon McGlocklin? 'Nuff said.

ERNIE GRUNFELD, 6-4, G-F

Tough, intelligent, resident bench wit. "Me 'n Bernard went for another 46," he cracked on Friday . . . Remember when Auerbach pounded his fist on the table on draft day in '77? It's beause the Bucks had just taken Grunfeld.

ERIC FERNSTEN, 6-10, F-C

How could any Boston writer insult his audience by pretending it needs information about Eric Fernsten?

LEN ELMORE, 6-9, C

Total class act off the floor . . . He's a rebounding, defending backup player of stature. Either he's the black Fernsten or Fernsten is the white Elmore.