NBC’s Bill Walton is on the Knicks’ nerves again. Walton was highly critical of Patrick Ewing during the Knicks-Spurs game Saturday night, saying he was disrupting the offensive flow by taking 13 first-half shots and not allowing Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston to get into their rhythms.
Spree and Houston combined for just 27 points in the Spurs’ 96-83 dismissal of the Knicks at the Alamodome. Walton has been harsh on Larry Johnson, calling him a “sad human being” during last year’s Finals. When Walton tried to apologize Saturday, LJ gave him the cold shoulder.
Johnson and Ewing are both two of Van Gundy’s favorites. While Van Gundy never retaliated about Walton’ LJ barbs, the Knicks coach yesterday couldn’t hold his tongue about Walton’s analysis on Ewing. Van Gundy grew up in California and was a huge UCLA fan, idolizing Walton. Not anymore.
“If [Ewing] shoots, people want him to pass,” said Van Gundy, his hackles clearly raised. “If he passes, people want him to shoot … It’s a no-win situation. That’s what bothers me.”
Van Gundy wasn’t finished. “Bill Walton, a Top 50 player,” Van Gundy mused. “He was a great player. I watched him as a kid growing up. Then you hear some of his comments. He disrupted their rhythm. How? I love those clichés. Disrupt your rhythm?”
Knicks face Wizards tonight at MCI Center. Washington is 1-2 since Michael Jordan took control of team operations. “Why should it be any different?,” said Ewing, who expects MJ to be on hand and may do lunch. “He is not playing. I don’t see it as any different.” … Knicks committed season-low five turnovers, their lowest total since setting record of four in 1972 … Van Gundy didn’t have a tough time replacing coaching legend Pat Riley. The reason? He didn’t replace Riley. The few forgettable months
Don Nelson guided the Knicks during the 1995-96 season made it easier for Van Gundy to take over and immediately command respect. Al Groh won’t have that benefit, unless you consider Bill Belichick‘s one-day reign. “I do believe I had the best of it,” said Van Gundy. “There were people on the team at the point when coach Riley left questioning whether they wanted to work hard. By the time I got the job, they had come back full circle.”