New York Knicks - Preseason Presser

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 3rd, 1980
Contact: The Don of the Garden

“WE’RE BRINGING THE GLORY BACK TO THE GARDEN”

The moment yous all been waitin for. The New York Knicks are ready to unveil our new powerhouse roster.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
Let’s cut the small talk—New York basketball is back, and it’s got teeth. The Garden’s been starving for a championship since ’73, and I don’t do hunger well. I’m here to feast, and so is my squad. You saw the preseason: 5-1. That’s not a fluke. That’s a warning shot.

Now, about this little lineup I’ve put together... You thought giving me the last pick would hold down the new guy. Tough luck I guess, because the results speak for themselves. You let the Julius “Dr. J” Erving fall into my lap like ya all owed me money. The man soars higher than rent prices in Manhattan. You’ve seen the dunks. You’ve seen the grace. He’s the crown jewel of this operation—a surgeon on the court.

Joining him is Darrell “Dr. Dunkenstein” Griffith. That’s right, two doctors in the house. Who needs an appointment? Kid’s a rookie, but he plays like he’s got ice in his veins and springs in his shoes.

And don’t sleep on Billy Knight. The guy’s smoother than Sinatra in his prime and deadlier from mid-range than rush hour traffic on the FDR. He’s the steady hand who’s gonna make sure this operation runs like clockwork.

Together with a supporting cast that’s tougher than a Brooklyn bodega bagel, this team isn’t here to play nice. We’re here to take names, win games, and hang banners in the Garden rafters.

I’ve got one goal: Bring the championship back to the greatest city in the world. We are different. We are going to play small, fast and break a few ankles (metaphorically speaking… mostly). This is New York. We don’t wait politely for success. We grab it by the collar and say, “You’re coming with us.”

The preseason was just a taste. Come regular season, feeegetabouutitt....You’ll see why this team is built to make history. So buy your tickets now, folks, because this train’s leaving the station, and it’s not stopping until it parks a trophy in the Garden.

Thanks for comin. Any questions?

[greepleairport]

Moses Malome, Bay Area News Group: Julius Erving came out of the preseason like a man on a mission for gold. Does he feel like he has the supporting cast to back him up? Or is the rest of the team still too raw to ride with him?

[PaulyP]

Bob Lanier has been one of the best scorers over the past decade and yet fell all the way to Round 6 of the draft, can he still play a significant role for the Knickerbockers this year?

[Eazy P]

With how the preseason turned out do you feel like Billy Knight and Dr. J can lead your Knicks to the postseason or do you think you will be making moves to put more quality pieces around those 2?

[BigDaddyd8720]

Comm Mish, of the SLOE Gazette: Another team with a great preseason. There are rumors that you had a previous stop before the Knicks that didn't go so well in your first season. How do you feel that experience has helped you to build this team and where do you see room to continue to grow?

[tbone963]

Ned Natswamp, NY Newsletter: With having 2 doctors on the team, are they able to prescribe their own beta-blockers? Seriously though, we've know their legacies but who's a young guy you're most excited about?

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

Moses Malome, Bay Area News Group: Julius Erving came out of the preseason like a man on a mission for gold. Does he feel like he has the supporting cast to back him up? Or is the rest of the team still too raw to ride with him?

Julius is certainly the captain of this ship and pairing him with Darrell Griffith is a duo I could see winning a lot of games in this league. The rest of the supporting cast still has a lot to prove. If those 2 can find some chemistry with Billy Knight and Dave Corzine then I think it doesnt matter how raw the rest of the team is. Thats a core we can build with.

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

Bob Lanier has been one of the best scorers over the past decade and yet fell all the way to Round 6 of the draft, can he still play a significant role for the Knickerbockers this year?

Great question, and while I was also surprised to pick up Bob so late, I think his best years are behind him. He will be a great mentor off the bench to Corzine who has double double potential every night. Having an aging legend to help build some character and eat up some minutes is something I am very excited about

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

With how the preseason turned out do you feel like Billy Knight and Dr. J can lead your Knicks to the postseason or do you think you will be making moves to put more quality pieces around those 2?

I actually think the 2 that will drive the Knicks this year will be Dr. J and Darrerll Griffith. I can see Darrell being the cornerstone after J is gone. Having Billy Knight mixed makes for an exciting core for a few years. I can't see me making moves unless I am horribly wrong. It looks like I made some early positioning mistakes in the first sim, but spirits in NY are still very high

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

Comm Mish, of the SLOE Gazette: Another team with a great preseason. There are rumors that you had a previous stop before the Knicks that didn't go so well in your first season. How do you feel that experience has helped you to build this team and where do you see room to continue to grow?

Yeah in a future life I received an opportunity to lead a team that was left to rot and was in horrendous shape. Those were dark days, but you learn from the discomfort and the failure. Really got to see a lot of well built and balanced team beat up on us every week and I was taking notes. Being able to jump in the time machine and pick up a major franchise is dream come true.

I still personally have a lot to learn and mistakes to make, but in terms of our current squad in NY, we are testing a small, fast lineup that will try to outscore larger, slower teams. We will need a true, big minute PG that can share the ball sooner than later, but we will see how this season goes.

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

Ned Natswamp, NY Newsletter: With having 2 doctors on the team, are they able to prescribe their own beta-blockers? Seriously though, we've know their legacies but who's a young guy you're most excited about?

Exactly. No betas in NY, the whole team is on a strict regimented prescription of beta blockers and alpha encouragers. The young guy I am most excited about is Darrell Griffith. A true 20+ a night scorer at 22 years old with double double potential. Him, J, and Knight could be special, but sleeper is Corzine 24 years old with double double potential every night with the future potential to be a top board getter in the league.

Thanks for comin