Given the struggles of the New York Knicks the last 20 years or so, it is hard to imagine that they were one of the more dominant teams in the NBA before falling on hard times. Even though they didn't win a championship in that time, they were one of the more popular and interesting teams during the 1990's and this book is a very good take on those teams.
Title/Author:
"Knicks of the Nineties: Ewing, Oakley, Starks and the Brawlers Who Almost Won it All" by Paul Knepper
Tags:
Basketball, professional, Knicks, history
Publish date:
September 1, 2020
Length:
298 pages
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
During the 1990's, the NBA was ruled by the Chicago Bulls, winning six titles during the 10 years of the decade. One of the very good teams that was denied a title by the Bulls was the New York Knicks. Even though they did not win a title, the team did reach the NBA Finals twice in the decade and produced some very memorable moments. Those moments and much more are captured in this book by Paul Knepper.
The extensive research that Knepper did for this book is evident by the sheer number of interviews he conducted, over one hundred. Add in many newspaper and magazine clippings, anecdotes and historical items for not only the Knicks but other teams and it makes for one of the most complete books around for one of the NBA's most iconic franchises, recent performance notwithstanding.
Nearly every important figure for the team at that time has information and stories printed. Of course, the first person many think of for the Knicks at that time is Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing, and he certainly has a prominent part in this book, but there are so many other personalities in the book that make is a good read. Popular players such as John Starks, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason and Latrell Spreewell are profiled prominently. Certainly the coaches need to be included – the reader will learn a lot about Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy. Key front office personnel such as Dave Checkets and Ernie Grunfeld are portrayed as well.
Plus, don't forget some of the reporting on the actual games. These are very good write ups, even if the information is obtained mainly through newspaper archives. The best sections for the action on the court (and sometimes even in the stands at Madison Square Garden) are those on the series played against the Bulls and the two times the Knicks reached the finals – in 1994 against the Houston Rockets and 1999 against the San Antonio Spurs, when they fell to the team from Texas both times. Knicks fans who have fond memories of these teams will certainly want to pick up this book to relive the very popular and successful teams that had Madison Square Garden rocking for every game.
Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)
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