This would be great!!

L.J. might be back as Knick employee

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BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, July 20th 2007, 4:00 AM


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When Larry Johnson was forced into early retirement six years ago, most of the Knicks' heart and leadership went with him. It is also no coincidence that the franchise hasn't won a single playoff game since one of its most clutch postseason performers walked away.

If there is such a thing as the "Curse of L.J.," the Knicks may be doing something about it. According to sources, Johnson could be returning to the Knicks in a still-undefined role. In all likelihood, Johnson will be working for the Knicks part-time in their community relations department along with former teammate John Starks.

The potential hiring would signal a change for the Isiah Thomas regime, which has been reluctant to embrace the Knicks' past. Patrick Ewing has expressed interest in rejoining the club as an assistant coach, but he has never been offered a job. Ewing recently was hired by Orlando, where he spent his final season as a player. Ewing, who will be an assistant coach with the Magic, also has worked as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets.

The Knicks currently don't plan to fill the coaching vacancy created by the departure of Phil Ford, who was hired by the Bobcats. And it is unclear if Johnson will serve as a part-time coach for the Knicks.When the Knicks acquired Johnson in 1996 from the Hornets for Anthony Mason, he came to New York with a reputation as being a malcontent. But Johnson quickly became a favorite among coaches, teammates and fans because of his work ethic, his quality of play and for his noted playoff heroics. Johnson's four-point play against Indiana on June5, 1999 is one of the Garden's greatest moments. The following season, Johnson set up Ewing for the series-clinching dunk against Miami in Game 7 of their second-round series.

Back problems eventually forced Johnson, now 38, to retire in 2001, and he received a $28 million settlement. The player Allan Houston called "the greatest teammate I ever had" has maintained a good relationship with Garden president Steve Mills, who has been instrumental in trying to bring Johnson back.

If that was the case, Patrick was right friggin there.

Posted by EnySpree:

Larry Johnson is on the same level as a Chris webber to me. Larry is a lot higher since he played with our knicks.

These guys are icons. Just the gold tooth and his unlv team that ran through the ncaas ghetto style.

Larry is only 38. Dude is just 10 years older than me. I was about 10 when he was doing his thing. He was a dude that looked like and played like someone that I knew growing up. I could identify with him much more than Barkley or Jordan or whoever was hot before him.

Eny, you're a young pup. Damn. Now I feel old.

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by EnySpree:

Larry Johnson is on the same level as a Chris webber to me. Larry is a lot higher since he played with our knicks.

These guys are icons. Just the gold tooth and his unlv team that ran through the ncaas ghetto style.

Larry is only 38. Dude is just 10 years older than me. I was about 10 when he was doing his thing. He was a dude that looked like and played like someone that I knew growing up. I could identify with him much more than Barkley or Jordan or whoever was hot before him.

Eny, you're a young pup. Damn. Now I feel old.

Young pup? I'm 28. In NBA years I'm a old bastard. I feel 40 years old.

I'm the same age as you and I know I'm not beaming at the fact of being older than Wade, Carmelo, LeBron, Oden and all but like 5 Knicks.

I know I'm only like 6 weeks younger than Kobe, who's been in the league 12 years.

My all-time Favorite knick "THE BIG L Larry Johnsonnnnnnnnnnnnnn"

Cool, another weak ass attempt by MSG to get people to remember why they used to be fans of their teams.

50 Greatest MSG Moments
MSG Vault
Starks and Ewing at every homegame
1994 Special

What next, Charles Oakley's home movies?

Why focus on the present when all you have is the past. A past that current ownership had nothing to do with.

LOL at swishy, I still have my autographed John wallace jersey.
John is in the top 5. where are you stationed swish ?

BIG L famous Quote: "free throws don't lie" when a player miss free throws on a phantom call.



[Edited by - playa2 on 20-07-2007 21:18]

not to "Hate" but didnt LJ sexually harass the Knicks PR woman by dropping his towel & exposing himself in front of her??? It's funny how some stories get splashed all over the backpage & others just disappear.

Posted by playa2:



THIS IS THE INTRO FROM GM 3 1999 NBA FINALS. Luv how the announce the name of LJ

Bro! when i played the introduction from gm 3 1999 finals, it brought back some real cool memories. Those were the great old days. WOW, it's a different story today!

Posted by bobs3304:

LJ was tough like Oakman.

Who do we have now like that?


If we're not gonna win championships I'd atleast like to kick some ass...



Seriously...

[Edited by - bobs3304 on 07-22-2007 6:56 PM]

Well zach is here. he has a track record of making poor decisions off the court buy he has always made the right one on it. He has always stepped in to protect teamates and he has broken the face of punk ass teamates that clearly deserve it ie. Ruben Patterson.

He's kinda alone with that but the rest of the team has proven that they stuck together and rally together pretty good on the basketball court.

I mix oak, x, mase and the big fella. I miss lj, and camby. Todays players aren't built like that anymore. Not a lot of physical play. A lot of guys avoid it. I can't tell you what it is.

At least we know this group doesn't give up. That's a good trait to build on. Hopefully with zach they can win more games.