Welcome to another Mr Pete Wow-Me starring the new champion New York Knicks!
Noteworthy: This piece was in prOcess for a while and could have run before the FINALS were FINAL, but we both decided to hold it -not to JINX the guys.
What you’ll find here is his masterful job capturing childhood memories of that OG championship team.
So, without further ado, please enjoy Mr Pete’s Y-E-S !! —The Editor
The other day, in my South Jersey 55+ apartment building, a fellow resident had asked me about my thoughts on the NEW YORK KNICKS and their recent NBA Championship Run. I had to confess I had not been following the team for quite a while. I could not even name any of the current lineup,
Then two old brain cells rubbed together and caused a spark and a twisted grin appeared…
Yup! That’s what I blurted out…
“I can’t name any of the current players but I can tell you the starters of the 1973-74 NEW YORK KNICKS”!
That’ll get you a nod and slow retreat. But it got me thinking and thus, this WowMe.
In the 60s -70s those days of my youth were spent in a town called Madison (the Rose City), Morris County, New Jersey.
Being twenty miles west of Times Square / NYC, my friends and I lived and breathed the local New York Sport teams:
NY Sports in the 70s…
What’s not to like, right?
- With baseball we had the METS and the YANKEES
- Football season gifted us with the JETS and the GIANTS
- When Basketball bounced around we had the KNICKS and the NETS**.
Editor’s note: Though generally ignored in the household, one member (AKA me) also had the Rangers and Islanders NHL hockey teams too!
**The NETS were part of the ABA (American Basketball Association). In 1976, they were one of the four teams that merged with the NBA.
Dr J. and ABA: What a ball !?!
Hoopin’ in the ‘Hood…
Sports became an important element in growing up. My Dad had put together a half basketball court on our huge backyard driveway. We even had a ABA, red white and blue ball (see above reference).
…With the right spin, a fading jump shot was hypnotic and strangely beautiful…
My crew would visit and practice almost daily. Yet, it was only my annoying (at that time) sister who had actually developed any of the skills needed to be considered a TRUE player.
Annoying sister…
As for the guys, we usually practiced trick shots while discussing last night’s game (this was before we started developing any interest in GIRLS).
Anyway, circling back to the late 60s/ early 70s… Let’s how we got our “fix” of sports…
Back then, New York had grown into a major media market –accessible via the television’s “RABBIT EAR” antenna and that CLICK-CLICK-CLICK of the dial:
- Channel 9 (WOR) for METS games
- Channel 11 (WPIX) for YANKEES games
Editor’s note: This was before ESPN, MSG and basic cable were available.
But, you know, game time rolled into bed time. We had that figured out thanks to Radio Shack and their nifty REALISTIC transistor radio that we’d hide under our pillows.
Pillow sports…
These “dreamcatchers” nightly caught Marv “Yes!” Albert —commonly referred to as “the voice of basketball,” from 1967 to 2004, he was also known as “the voice of the New York Knicks”.
This is what it sound like from a Souvenir LP : NY Knicks 1972-73 NBA Champions: “Holzman’s Heroes” LP Record
I recall hearing the team intros, with my one ear pressed against a pillow and my other ear cradling a single earpiece. A variation of the Theme from the SHAFT was my welcome to the world of Madison Square Garden.
The “Garden”…
And There’s More…!
Back then, there was the SASE. ?!?
Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
?!??
My Mom encouraged me to develop my communication [writing] skills by having me send written notes to various celebrities / sports stars requesting their autograph.
I eventually obtained a Walt “Clyde” Frazier autograph.
Vintage (not mine)…
Sadly MY autograph was lost/misplaced somewhere in the tides of time.
Coveted CLYDEs…
Editor’s note: The shoes!! I asked for the suede CLYDEs but “Hard No!” as Dad wasn’t going to pay that kind of money. What I did “WIN” was suede converse from the factory outlet (Thanks, Dad!!).
More Vintage Knicks: The Player-Senator…
In the 80s BILL BRADLEY was a New Jersey Senator (1979-1997). Every Summer Season he would do a walking tour of the Shore [New Jersey Beaches] where did a meet and greet with his constituents.
Back of Sen Bradley’s card…
My Dad as a councilman for Stone Harbor, often invited me to tag allow. He would introduce me as his son and a Knicks Fan. I was too awe-struck to say anything more than “Please to meet You”.
Parade-Time…!
It’ll be great to see the PARADE through the Canyon of Heroes. I love a parade — especially a ticker-tape one. Was surprised to learn that the 70s Knicks didn’t have the joy of the ticker-tape.
That’s a Wrap !!
Still smiling at the memories for which I thank the KNICKs for rekindling. There’s so much on social these days, so I’ll leave you with this…
The Nike spot that ran immediately after the WIN.
Captured the emotion perfectly! Still smiling ear-to-ear… – Mr Pete
Circling Back Around…
Off the top of my head…
As seen on FaceBook…
About Mr Pete
A music aficionado, Mr. Pete’s mind and ears have no horizons. He has the uncanny ability to suss out the right song for the right time — a skill that is truly amazing. The Gang here at Jedemi enjoys his contributions.
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