ESPN Values Our Thoughts

This past Wednesday night at 11pm, Knickslover favorite Alan Hahn had a guest appearance on Brandon Tierney's ESPN radio show. For those of you who don't know Brandon Tierney, he announced St. John's games for 4 years, has covered the Knicks for forever, and now hosts a 2hr show weekday mornings on ESPN radio (1050am for those interested). In return for Alan Hahn's guest appearance Wednesday night, BT agreed to answer a mailbag on Alan Hahn's blog. He received about 60 emails and responded to about 1/3. With the help and inspiration of the Manhattan Latin aka Elisardo Gonsalves aka Xavier McDaniel Rodriguez, whose frontal lobes I always value and particulary when it come to Bocker Ball, I shot BT an email that he found compelling enough to address in one of his limited responses. Below you will find text of my question (again, shouts to Danny) and Mr.Tierney's resopnse.

Posted by Patrick H | October 24, 2007 23:29
BT (or Alan)-- Last season, after the melee with Denver to the late February win at home against Miami (which was the beginning of the injury onslaught that capsized the season), the Knicks went 20-17 and snuck into the last playoff spot. It looked like they had ironed out some early season wrinkles and were building chemistry. For the Knicks to play like they did during that stretch for an entire season, it would seem that a real leader needs to emerge. Someone to to make sure they don't play down to their competition. Someone to galvanize them when they are sluggish and to calm them down when they are too exuberant. A floor commander, but not necessarily a guard. When I think of who could play that role, Q and Steph are the only two players that come to mind. Malik Rose certainly can certainly be a leader in the locker room, but doesn't contribute enough to impact games. The likely candidate would have to be Q, but do you see anyone else stepping up and making it 'his team.' Any dark horses? Or, will the Knicks still be void of a leader like they have been the past few seasons?

BT: Patrick, I love your angle. Leadership. Man, it's vital in pro sports, especially in hoops, when you play a few times a week and can get lethargic during the dark winter months. Is there a Willis Reed on this team? Doubt it. I think the leadership will come in several different forms, from several very different players. I see Nate and Lee energizing the team with spirited and youthful (and very productive) play; Q Rich is the physical leader, unafraid to get in someone's face, whether it's a teammate, or an opponent. And Malik Rose keeps things in order in the locker room. Who's the one guy everyone looks at when the Knicks are down a point with :20 to go? That person has yet to consistently step up. We'll see if someone grabs that role this season.

Well done Knickslovers!!!