When Phil Jackson walked into the pregame press conference — albeit a few minutes late — he was just one of the guys. Not the Hall of Fame coach, but a member of the 1972-73 Knicks championship team that won the franchise’s most recent title.
Others in the room included Bill Bradley, Dick Barnett, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Jerry Lucas, Harthorne Wingo, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Henry Bibby and Willis Reed. It was as if 40 years ago seemed like yesterday.
“This is a family that never had a divorce,” Lucas said. “There aren’t too many of those around. We still love each other and care for each other. For us to stand up there and be acknowledged again as a unit is the most important thing.”
They were honored at halftime of last night’s game between the Knicks and Bucks at the Garden. It was Legends Night, a nostalgic remembrance of the past that offered lessons for the present. Sure the game is different now with the 3-point shot, multi-million dollar contracts and a watered down league. Yet, the intangibles that carried the 1972-73 Knicks to a title still apply today and need to be part of the current Knicks’ DNA if they are to have any chance of reaching the pinnacle this season or next.
“Teamwork, chemistry, guys understanding how to take advantage of our assets,” are what Barnett said were the keys to the Knicks’ championship run. “We knew that we were more effective as a team than individuals. It’s still a successful formula.”
It was a successful formula last night. The Knicks trailed throughout the first half. But whether it was coincidence or perhaps an emotional boost from seeing the legends cheered by an adoring crowd, the current Knicks turned up their energy and used runs of 16-0 and 25-2 to capture their 11th-straight win, a 101-83 dismissal of the Bucks.
For the 2012-13 Knicks to have any chance at duplicating what the 1972-73 team did, they need to master all the intangibles that can make a team great. Miami has LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and Oklahoma City has Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Knicks have Carmelo Anthony, who poured in 41 points last night. But they will need something more to win their own trophy. They need what the 1972-73 Knicks had, a solidarity to sacrifice to be the best.
“We weren’t the biggest, the strongest, the fastest, but we were the most prepared,” Lucas said. “You have to have all the intangibles. You have to understand the game. You have to know how to take advantage of the other team. You have to apply pressure to them that gets them out of what they want to do. You have to do all the basics of basketball to be the best.”
Mike Woodson had dinner with the ’73 legends on Thursday night. The Knicks coach even collected a few autographs. What impressed him most was the bond shared 40 years ago was still evident.
“When you see 40 years of history return, that’s pretty special,” Woodson said. “That just shows me they were committed way back when. Senator Bradley said it. They had a lot of All-Stars on that particular team. But that didn’t mean anything. It was the unselfish play that occurred on the floor that stood out. It was the reason they won a title.”
Woodson hopes his current team gets that message. Chemistry has been one of the Knicks’ strong points. They’ve united over something called #Knickstape, which embraces the diversity of the team. Throughout the ups and downs of this season, the Knicks have been consistent with their commitment to each other.
“It’s all about team,” Woodson said.
The Knicks aren’t favored to win the title this year. But neither were the ’73 Knicks. The Celtics and Lakers were viewed as more likely winners. But team can overcome individual talent. It’s a message that still applies today.