In December of 2000, I was a NY Knicks fan living in Manhattan. I rooted for the Knicks because the team had been fun to watch for years and the city got even livelier when they were successful. From the Oakley/Mason/Starks years to the Sprewell/Camby/LJ years, Patrick Ewing led a squad that played hard physical ball & threatened to beat anyone on any given night.
In 2000, general manager Scott Layden was in his 2nd season with the Knicks. His only noteworthy transaction at that point was one that would curse the Knick franchise for years. In September 2000, Layden traded legendary center and lifetime Knick Patrick Ewing for a tired Glen Rice, an old Luc Longley and trade filler like Travis Knight.
While the Knicks were looking for a new direction with only the injury prone Longley and offensively challenged Marcus Camby manning the paint, Sacramento Kings superstar power forward Chris Webber was in the last year of a deal with the Kings. He'd made it known that he planned to test free agency at the end of the season. He'd also flirted with the idea of reuniting with Sprewell in NY since they'd enjoyed playing together with the Warriors in the '90s.
On December 27, 2000, I went to see the Knicks play in D.C. against the Wizards. The game was sparsely attended as the Wizards were having a bad season. I sat about 20 rows up from the sidelines near mid court.
Early in the game, I noticed general manager Scott Layden sitting a couple rows in front of me to my left. I considered the fans in NY who were desperate for another championship run and knew deep down that the Longley/Camby combo wouldn't do it down low. On behalf of my NY brothers & sisters, I seized a chance to try to sway Layden into making a move for Webber.
In the middle of the first quarter, sitting in my seat with Layden a few rows ahead in his, I began my gentle approach.
"Chris Webber."
I said his name out loud in the middle of a game he had no part of. Nobody except my girlfriend noticed.
A few minutes later, I said it again. "Chris Webber."
In the 2nd quarter, I said it louder. "Chris Webber." Still nobody really paid attention.
The game was methodical with the Knicks handling the Wizards relatively easily. All that was unusual was the lone fool saying "Chris Webber" intermittently and slightly louder each time.
In the fourth quarter with the Knicks clearly in command of the game, I increased the volume and frequency.
"Chris Webber. Chris Webber."
A few people turned around and looked, wondering if I'd joined Marion Barry on crack. Layden continued watching the game in a general management haze. I had to make it plain.
"Hey Scott Layden," I yelled out in the waning minutes.
He turned around and looked up through his glasses & right at me in my Sprewell jersey.
"Sign Chris Webber!" I exclaimed.
The surrounding Wizards fans, also desperate for their own basketball savior, laughed in appreciation.
The Knick g.m. smirked and turned back around to watch the game.
Layden didn't listen. After a 1st round playoff exit that season, the Knicks re-signed aging SG Allan Houston to a 6 year $100 million contract despite the fact that no other teams were interested in paying him anywhere near that much. Webber re-signed with the Kings and averaged 24 pts &10 boards the next season. He barely missed the finals, losing to the Lakers in 7.
Subsequent moves in Layden's tenure included trading future defensive player of the year Camby for an injured & unwanted Antonio McDyess, trading tenacious Sprewell for softy Keith Van Horn, and trading 6'8" Glen Rice for the salary cap disaster guards Howard Eisley & Shandon Anderson.
Layden's inability to land top players in a star driven town like NY as well as his fascination with bad trades & salary cap woes put the Knicks on the road to ruin. Isiah Thomas took the baton from Layden in 2003 and finished the destruction by acquiring nightmares like Eddy Curry & Stephon Marbury.
Enter current Knick general manager Donnie Walsh. This North Carolina & Dean Smith product has dedicated his life to the game and business of basketball. He'd been a very successful general manager for the Pacers getting them to 16 out of 17 playoffs during his tenure. He came to New York ready to unload bad contracts, end the era of bad deals, and bring star players back to Madison Square Garden.
Last weekend, he made the first bold free agency move for the Knicks in decades. The arrival of Amar'e Stoudemire marks the first time that the Knicks have walked away with a top coveted free agent since Bernard King hit NY in a sign & trade with the Warriors in 1982.
The Knicks still need to make more moves, but this first one is a great start. Donnie Walsh is on his game & the Knicks should be on their way to selling tickets again.
If Walsh sleeps at any point, I'll find him in the stands and put names in his brain.
"Carmelo.
"Carmelo.
"Carmelo."
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