Let's This Party Started
“I’m just proud of our team,” Woodson said. “We’re giving our fans something to root for. When we step on our floor our fans expect us to win. That’s where you want to be when you talk about building a team. It’s been a good run, but we’ve got a long way to go.” - Mike Woodson
Mike Woodson has done the unexpected. He has cultivated and motivated:
- his detached enigmatic star, apparently coasting and boasting, to play on both ends with passion
- a tempermental and talented prodigal son to finally take responsibility, everywhere he goes.
- a 40 year old with impaired judgement, a DUI, to show for the week he signs. Who does that?
- a Chicago castaway, with a deformed forearm, to take the shot... and make the shot.
- a rusty, retired and crazy forward who many people doubted would even make the roster.
- a 35 year old rookie with no streetball/ summer league/ college or NBA exposure whatsoever
- a promising yoot, also in rehab, through visits to the barber for touchups
- his number one three point artist to diversify his game, and embrace his skill set.
- a 28 year old migrant worker, fresh from the Belgian League
- his starting four, in rehab, through another unguaranteed comeback
- his captain to do the thankless dirty work reserved for Charles Oakley
- his third string center to be ready for the playoffs, when he will be needed most. "'Sup Hartford?"
- a new culture of great expectations, grounded in traditional ("DEE-FENSE") Knicks values.