The word “thug” means many different things to many different people. The baggy-pants with one leg rolled up to the knee can be labeled as thug attire. All the new slang and street talk is associated with thugs along with a hostile nature. These “thugs” are usually not well liked.
However, somehow five guys wearing blue shorts and a blue tank top were labeled as “thugs”. They were big, strong, ugly, and very intimidating but every night 19,763 people cheered for them.
These five guys were the New York Knicks of the 1990’s. Derek Harper, John Starks, Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, and Patrick Ewing were feared by the entire NBA. Even Pat Riley was intimidating. They dove on every loose ball and spilled beer on at least two courtside fans every night.
They pounced on every rebound and they played some unbelievable defense. Their ‘boring’ half court offense really wasn’t boring at all. They stuck up for each other and never gave up a free lay-up.
Most importantly, they loved playing for the Knicks and the city of New York. Who can forget Starks pointing to the “New York” on his jersey? Or the Starks one-handed dunk over Michael Jordan? How about Mase’s hairdo’s and trash talking? Or the famous chest bump?
And then there’s Charles Oakley. There are too many great memories to recall any single one but he didn’t even have much skill. He just had heart and always left everything on the floor. He always took the charge and made the hard foul and was on the floor more times than not. The memories go on forever.
Now, if you’re a true Knick fan you’ll have a huge smile right about now. Try comparing those memories with the team today. Preacher Ward is about the nicest player in the NBA, except when he’s talking about Jews.
The newly acquired Antonio McDyess has always been a great player but he’s been known to keep to himself. Latrell Sprewell used to have that desire and heart but even he lost it last year. He stopped playing tough defense and wasn’t diving for loose balls. He clearly didn’t play with that reckless abandon as the losses piled up.
His press conferences were full of criticism and he most likely didn’t help things in the locker room. Kurt Thomas is the only guy that truly has that heart and emotion that the Knicks of the 90’s had. He always takes the charge and doesn’t back down from anybody.
Scott Layden really needs to start looking into some of these “thugs”, or bad boys, of the NBA. It’s apparent that he’s really in tune with soft players with ties to Utah. Case and point: his main pitch on Michael Doleac was how good of a person he is.
Where should Scott Layden start looking? Ben Wallace is the guy this article describes. He’s unbelievable and leaves everything out on the floor. But I doubt Detroit would look to deal him.
Nick Van Exel would help this team and would bring some trash talking back to New York. A package of Bonzi Wells and Dale Davis couldn’t get any tougher. All those guys have had some issues in the past with character but if Layden really wants to go out on a limb, if he really wants to take a chance, he’d sign Shawn Kemp to a one or two year deal for the rest of the exception or less.
He’s had so many problems in the past but he’s out to prove something. Word has it he’s hired a physical trainer and will work out six days a week. He’s big enough to play center in today’s undersized NBA.
What’s the risk with a one-year deal? If he starts using drugs again, cut him. If he becomes to fat again, cut him. If he’s not contributing and is a problem in the locker room, cut him. He’d definitely bring some attitude back to New York.
