I think that if anything, Clyde was hurt by the lack of championships. When a team wins a title, everyone associated with the organization is elevated (unless it is scandal-ridden, e.g like the Astros).

The status that Clyde has achieved is due to a number of factors that set him apart from other sports legends.

First, he had his greatest performance in the greatest game in the franchise’s history. Folks who were not around to witness that team and that era can’t really understand the degree to which that team captivated the entire city. Or that they were significant underdogs going against the (over)hyped original big 3 of Chamberlain, West, and Baylor. Or that they were an original NBA franchise in the nation’s greatest city who had not yet won a championship. Or that there was no competing team in basketball (Jets vs. Giants, Yankees vs. Mets) to divide the fan base. Or that their style of play was as lacking in selfishness or personal agendas, as it was brimming with basketball IQ and high character off the court. Throw the Willis Reed drama on top of that, and you could say that Clyde’s performance in that game and what it meant to that fanbase will never be surpassed.

Add to that the fact that Clyde was a rare combination of, on one hand, athletic superstar, ladies’ man, fashion plate, and on the other hand, humility, kindness, and impeccable character. Only Mike Conley played more games without getting a technical foul. Never, ever argued with refs, or barked at teammates, or sulked, or gave less than 100%. No drinking scandals (see: Joe Namath, Mickey Mantle) no braggadocio (see: Reggie Jackson), no surliness/standoffishness (see: Tom Seaver, Patrick Ewing).

Then the transition to the broadcast booth….for those who knew him as a player, it seemed kind of impossible. He seemed just too cool to want to be such a prominent voice. And at first, he was not all that well received, nor was the team very good. But he just won people over…probably just like he won thousands of ladies over…with cool, charm, and character. In all my years of listening to him, I never once perceived him as a homer, or as a mean-spirited critic of any player, coach, or ref. His rhyming wasn’t for everybody, but now that we can regularly listen to other commentators, I appreciate his skill and preparation way more than I did early on, even during the Ewing era.

And then there’s the partnership with Mike Breen, who I think will go down as the best of all time. He is also a guy with an impeccable character, and a gift for bringing out the best in his broadcasting partners, even the bad ones, and I think he especially elevated Clyde. Whenever one of them is missing from the broadcast, it is a huge step down, and when both are away, it kind of sucks.

So if they had a championship season or two to have shared their grace and humility and objectivity in spite of their obvious love for the Knicks, I feel pretty certain that it would have just magnified the legend. Beyond wanting a championship for myself and my family, and even some of you guys, there is no one who I’d rather see at a championship parade than Clyde. When he moves on, my kids may be more upset than me!

I never saw Clyde play when he was active. For me it’s entirely his style on and off the mic. He’s a lot of fun.

He was great on both sides of the ball, clutch as all hell and 100% team first. He’s a living legend for NYers that were around to see him play. His game 7 performance in the “Willis game’ was beyond legendary. He deserves all the love he gets and more as both a player and on the mic.

A team option is always better than no team option. We could use him as salary filler or, if he does manage to play well in the playoffs, we can retain him.

He’ll always be a beloved Knick and broadcaster, but I wonder if he would be quite as revered if he didn’t represent the only Knicks team to win a title in the last 52 years.

Just food for thought…

Ahhh, that makes more sense, thanks Alan!