Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

[RMJH4]

NBA Playoffs 2001.

[kibaxx7]

Re: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

Great job finishing the season. Good luck, my friend!

[RMJH4]

Chapter 8: Check in with Dolan.

Dolan: Hey Mike come on in.

Mike: Thanks Sir. You wanted to see me?

Dolan: Yes, yes take a seat Mike.

Mike: Thanks. So what you think about the playoffs?

Dolan: Looking good, be nice to get a win over the Heat and Riley again!

Mike: For sure. We have had their number all year, but you can't count on anything in the playoffs.

Dolan: Well let's hope we can Mike. I've been impressed with what you've done so far. 60 wins is what we should be hitting every year.

Mike: That's the goal alright Mr Dolan.

Dolan: Well the goal is to win Championships Mike.

Mike: Absolutely Sir. But having that steady regular season every year put's you in the position to do that every postseason.

Dolan: So you decided to keep Ewing after all?

Mike: Yeah I think holding onto him was a good decision. He has given his sweat and blood to this franchise over the years, it's the least he deserves.

Dolan: Well you're decision looks to be good at the moment. What are your plans for him in the summer? Re-sign him?

Mike: I'd like to think we can. If we can win a championship it would be a nice way to reward him. It will depend how we can fit everyone in with Allan getting a max contract.

Dolan: I see. You really think we can win a championship with this squad?

Mike: I do. It may be this year, or next year, but we can do it. I know we need to keep Allan here long term. Houston and Spree are our best players, along with Marcus. Pat is so important to have here too, the culture he set's, his experience.

Dolan: Well the way I see it, I hope we do win this year. And next year. If we can't win this year, what are you thinking for the off-season, Chris Webber, Gary Payton, guys like that?

Mike: Hard to say at this point. We have a fantastic group and if we can get to the Conference Finals or NBA Finals, I don't think we should be changing too much.

Dolan: Well it can't hurt to add another star now can it Mike?

Mike: Well it depends Sir. It depends who you have to lose to do that, then who are you bringing in, and are they going to make us that much better. And you are dealing with human beings here too. You have friendships being broken up, you need time to gel. I took a big risk this season with all the trades. But I did my homework on those guys. The mix we had wasn't working, so in cases like that, we've got to change it up.

Dolan: Yes I see. But this is New York. We are the biggest and most famous city in the world. And we are the best franchise in the best city. We need to have the best players too. And win.

Mike: Well I am and will do everything I can to put us in a good position to win Mr Dolan. You can be sure of that.

Dolan: So this summer, your contract is expiring. You want to stay here long term?

Mike: Absolutely. This is home to me now. New York City and the Knicks. I've been here almost four years now.

Dolan: I get that. Me too. I'd like to keep you around too. Let's get that championship!

Mike: Go Knicks. Thanks Sir.

I still don't know what to make of Dolan. He seems to be all on board and yet he talks about getting stars here. We've got our stars in Spree, Houston and Camby. What more does he want? We don't have a Vince Carter or a Kobe Bryant, but we just won 60 games. He say's I'd like to keep you around, but didn't talk about a new contract. Time will tell I suppose. Scottie Layden always said you never know where you stand with him. Look were that landed him. Unemployed. James is not like his Dad. He laid it all out on the line for you. Really straight up guy to deal with.

[RMJH4]

NBA Board of Governors Accept Grizzlies Relocation.

April 16th, 2001

NEW YORK -- It's official: The Vancouver Grizzlies are moving to Memphis.

NBA owners gave unanimous approval to the move Tuesday, clearing the way for the Grizzlies to play in Tennessee next season. It is the league's first franchise relocation since the Kings moved from Kansas City to Sacramento in 1985. The league's Board of Governors also approved the sale of a minority interest in the team to a group of Memphis-based investors led by J.R. "Pitt" Hyde III and his wife, Barbara. Hyde is founder of AutoZone, an auto parts company.

"We are gratified by the community's enthusiasm and remarkable level of support for the Grizzlies," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "The city of Memphis, Shelby County, the NBA pursuit team, the business community and the local investors have come together with (owner) Michael Heisley and the Grizzlies organization to assure that a successful NBA franchise in Memphis will be a reality."

The Grizzlies were added to the NBA as an expansion team April 27, 1994 and began play in 1995, winning their first game at Portland 92-80 with a roster that included Benoit Benjamin, Kenny Gattison and Blue Edwards. This year they made the playoffs for the first time as the 8th seed, but despite this the team ranked last in attendance.

"This is an exciting day for the people of Memphis," Hyde said. "It's time now to turn our focus to building a competitive basketball team that will be a positive force in the city."
Heisley purchased the Grizzlies from John McCaw for $160 million on April 11, 2000.

In Heisley's first season as owner, he projected losses of about $46 million. The team averaged just over 13,000 fans per game, down 2 percent from the previous year, playing to 70 percent of capacity. Heisley began shopping for a new home for his franchise and early in the process said he was looking at six cities: Las Vegas; Anaheim, Calif.; St. Louis; New Orleans; Louisville, Ky.; and "to a certain extent, Memphis."

With Hyde leading local corporate efforts to attract the team, which has lost four of every five games during its six seasons, Memphis quickly emerged as the favorite.
FedEx, headquartered in the city, joined the effort and backers said they expected major state support for an area that will cost $200 million to $250 million.

Memphis will be the smallest market in the NBA and the Grizzlies will play temporarily in The Pyramid, a $65 million arena opened in 1991, until a new arena is built. The Pyramid seats 19,000 for basketball. The decision ends years of searching for a major league sports franchise for Memphis. In 1974 and 1993, the city was a finalist for NFL expansion teams, but lost out both times. The former Houston Oilers used Memphis as a temporary home in 1997 before moving in 1998 to Nashville, where they became the Titans. Over the years, Memphis has had minor league teams in baseball, basketball and football.

[RMJH4]

Sonics sold to Starbucks' Schultz.

Sonics sold to Starbucks' Schultz.

SEATTLE — For nearly two decades, Howard Schultz watched the Seattle SuperSonics through the eyes of a fan.

Barry Ackerley called it a "bittersweet" day for his family as he turned over ownership of the team Thursday to a local investment group headed by Schultz, chairman and chief global strategist of Starbucks Corp., the Seattle-based coffee chain.

The Ackerley Group announced it was selling the Sonics for $200 million to Schultz and four others. The transaction also includes the WNBA's Seattle Storm. The sale is expected to be final by the end of the first quarter of this year.

"I'm a fan at heart," Schultz said, sporting a huge grin during a standing-room-only news conference.

"I realize the challenges of winning a basketball game. Look at this season, even with all that talent we missed out on the playoffs." he said. "Any time you try to do something like this, you are best served when you know more about it than you did when you started."

Schultz is a lifelong basketball fan who grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., cheering for the Knicks. Once during high school, he said, he waited all night for tickets.

Schultz has held Sonics season tickets since he moved to the city in 1982, and plays basketball every Sunday.

He said he vividly recalls a Sonics victory in the 1996 Western Conference finals over the Utah Jazz in which no one wanted to leave the arena, neither players nor fans. The Sonics lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games in the NBA Finals that season.

"I will never forget that day," he said of the victory over the Jazz. "It was a beacon in my life. I want to bring that back."

Besides Schultz, the buyout group includes Wally Walker, current team president and general manager.

Forbes magazine listed the Sonics' value at $187 million in a recent ranking of NBA franchises.

It's the first sale of an NBA franchise since Mark Cuban bought the Dallas Mavericks last year for $280 million.

"For me and my family, this is a dream come true," Schultz said. "I never thought something like this would happen to someone like me. I was born on the other side of the tracks, but only in America. I'm really excited."

Ackerley said one of his group's main priorities was to find a strong local ownership committed to keeping an NBA franchise in the city.

Schultz said he will be an involved and visible owner, but will leave basketball operations to Walker.

[RMJH4]

Knicks sweep Heat 3-0, advance to R2.

Knicks sweep Heat 3-0, advance to Round 2.



Sprewell made the difference in Game 3 in Miami.

April 25th, 2001 | by The New York Post.

The New York Knicks comfortably dispatched of the Miami Heat this week in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. With Pat Riley and Miami rolling into town, historically this has been a bloodbath. But not this time. With Alonzo Mourning back in uniform Miami looked to erase the bad memories from the regular season in which the Knicks beat the Heat 3 games to 1.

But the optimism from the Heat players quickly dissipated as the Knicks were dominant from start to finish. Allan Houston started strong with two quick 3 pointers. Houston was a handful for Eddie Jones all night and finished with 23 points. Jones normally an excellent defender was made look average by Houston and then reserve Michael Redd. Redd had 11 points and the combination of both players left Jones gasping for air. Jones paltry 15 points shockingly led the Heat on a night they only managed to score 69 points.

Sprewell was superb on both ends, comfortably dispatching another Heat high caliber defender in Bruce Bowen. Spree scored 18 points. The Knicks really had their way with several players having excellent performances in Game 1. Ewing had a 12 point - 11 rebound game against the combo of Mourning and Brian Grant. But the most surprising performance was from point guard Charlie Ward who really handled Tim Hardaway. Ward scored 14 points and along with Chauncey Billups held Hardaway to 12 points.

Glen Rice also hit 12 points, Camby had 11 points and 12 boards, Reeves had 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. The series looked to be sown up in Game 1 as the Knicks ran out 119-69 winners in one of the most lopsided playoff victories in history.

Game 2 in the Garden was much of the same for Miami. It left Pat Riley wishing the series was best of 3, not best of 5, such was the humiliation inflicted on the Heat this week. The Knicks again punished the Heat with a 97-55 drubbing. Allan Houston made Jones and the entire Heat bench cry 'Mercy' as he erupted for an incredible 39 points. Sprewell and the Knicks rotated their 12 man squad for the entire second half, and this will really help the Knicks in playoffs this year.

Best for the Heat was Brian Grant with 17 points, but next best was Mourning with 11. No other Heat player hit double figures. Knicks best of the rest were Camby with another double-double of 10 points and 13 boards. Also Chauncey Billups with a solid statline of 8 points, 7 rebound and 6 assists. Onto Miami for Game 3.

Ward hits 3 of his 14 points in Game 1 in MSG.

But just at the Knicks were feeling invincible, Miami knew they had to resort to the usual Bully Boy tactics and fight the Knicks hand to hand. Mourning was ready to go and dominated early on. He finished with 23 points. Anthony Mason another ex Knick really brought it too, scoring 16 points and blocking 4 shots. But the Knicks have so much strength in depth they never panicked.

Sprewell can be relied upon when the going gets tough, and he really pulled out his best Dennis Rodman impression on defense. He scored too, finishing with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocked shots. One bloody nose too after some argy bargy with Bruce Bowen. Spree wasn't the only one to go to battle as 'Big Country' threw his ample weight around to disrupt Mourning's offense. With Camby and Ewing rotating in, they handled Mourning, Mason and Grant really well. The Knicks really stepped up in the 4th quarter and pulled away from the Heat. The final score of 111 - 92 was flattering for the Knicks, but did reflect the dominance in the end. New York advance, and Miami have to pick up the pieces after this destruction.

[RMJH4]

2001 Playoffs Round 1.

[kibaxx7]

Re: 2001 Playoffs Round 1.

Superb job sweeping the Heat. Lots of sweeps now that I see the bracket! Good luck against the Raps!

[RMJH4]

Knicks advance to Conference Finals.

Knicks advance to Conference Finals, beat Raptors 4 -1.



Camby was dominant up front for the Knicks.

May 6th, 2001 | by The New York Post.

The New York Knicks are headed back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third season in a row. The Toronto Raptors team were tough, but in the end the Knicks depth pulled them through.

Game 1 in MSG was more of the same from the 1st round of the East playoffs. The Knicks had caught fire to sweep the Heat and the set out the same way from tip off. Allan Houston got the Knicks going with some sweet shooting early on. He wouldn't finish as the leading scorer but with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals he was the MVP of the night. Houston started defensively on Vince Carter, and did quite well until the 2nd half when Sprewell had to switch onto a dominant Carter.

Carter would score 32 points and was Toronto's best weapon all night. Sprewell however was also the Knicks leading scorer with 21 points. The Knicks spread of scorers is always so important. Michael Redd the impressive rookie chipped in with 18 points, along with Marcus Camby posting 14 points and 11 boards. Morris Peterson the Raptors rookie scored 17 points but the Raptors could not match the Knicks production. Knicks ran out 111 - 83 winners and laid down an ominous marker.

Game 2 in New York was much more of the same. The Knicks won it 117 - 93 and Toronto could see the writing on the wall already in this series. Everyone apart from Vince Carter that is. 'Air Canada' took it to the Knicks all night, and finished with a team high 35 points. But the age old problem for the Raptors persisted, where is the help? Only Dell Curry (13 points) and Knicks favorite Mark Jackson (10 points) hit double figures. The Knicks scoring output?! Chauncey Billups with a break out 23 points and 9 assists. With Charlie Ward spraining a hamstring in the warmup, Billups stepped in and was incredible.

Knicks other scorers, Houston 20, Rice 18, Sprewell 14, and Camby with 12 points and 16 boards. Off to Toronto next, and a must win for the Raptors or it's curtains.

Game 3 was a tough game in a noisy Toronto Skydome. Fans queued for hours outside and showed their distaste for the Knicks. A surreal atmosphere that has developed in the playoffs this year for Toronto. And it worked. It intimidated the Knicks early on, enough to let the Raptors run up a 21 -6 lead in the first. Antonio Davis showed why he was selected as an All Star this season as he hit 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Vince finally had some backup, and he chipped in with 22 points.

The Knicks were having fits on offense as they struggled outside of Houston (26 points) and Sprewell (23 points) to generate good offense. Infact they were the only Knicks to register double figures on the night. Toronto left a massive bite mark on the Knicks tonight with a 116 - 86 point victory, but was this enough to swing momentum in time for Game 4?

Houston was unstoppable at times again for the Knicks.

With Van Gundy livid after game 3 the Knicks had no choice but to put it all on the line. This Knicks team has seen over the last three seasons how quickly the better team can get dragged into a dogfight. They could not let that happen again. It was a close game through 3 quarters with Carter going shot for shot with Houston. Sprewell is usually never far behind though, and his 19 points had the Knicks in the thick of it. Carter too had an ally tonight in Jerome Williams who was showing up big time at small forward. So who would swing it with an impasse at the wing spots?

The Knicks frontcourt of course. Though Houston would lead all Knicks with 26 points, it was the contributions of Camby, Ewing and Reeves that dragged the Knicks home. Camby had 16 pts and 12 boards. Ewing had 12 points and 8 rebounds. Reeves had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Raptors front court? Antonio Davis 16 and 8, Charles Oakley 6 and 6. Smashed. Knicks win 117 -98. Now with the series lead 3-1, the Knicks and Raptors head back to MSG for Game 5.

As the Knicks went through the motions of their warmups, Ahmad Rashad of NBC sports announced on the TV that Vince Carter had broken his right wrist in the aftermath of Game 4. In a show of frustration Carter smashed his hand into the locker room door and broke his wrist. Carter would not suit up tonight. The Knicks didn't rejoice just yet, and kept their game faces on. But everyone knew the writing was on the wall.

The Knicks hit the ground running with Allan Houston and Marcus Camby leading the charge. The Knicks defense was stifling, and they ran in numerous fastbreaks off steals and blocks. Houston would finish with 26 points, Camby 19 and 11 boards. The Raptors struggled to get into any consistent offense as they relied heavily on Antonio Davis. Davis was swarmed by Camby, Ewing and Reeves but still finished with 26 points. Dell Curry had a great shooting night and chipped in with 22 points.

But it wasn't enough. The Knicks showed their strength in depth once more as several players hit double figures again. Reeves had 19pts, 13 rebs and 5 blocks, Ewing had 12 pts and 9 rebs, Glen Rice had 12 pts and 6 rebs, Sprewell had a quiet 12 points, rookie Redd had 11 points and Billups had 10 pts and 8 assists. Knicks win the game 119 - 89 and the series 4 games to 1. No Carter for the Raptors tonight, but it may not have made much difference either way.

Reeves has been a great midseason addition for the Knicks.

[RMJH4]

Conference Finals Matchups 2001.

[RMJH4]

Conference Finals Game 1: Philadelphia 76ers 98 - 102 New York Knicks.

Conference Finals Game 1: Philadelphia 76ers 98 - 102 New York Knicks.



Iverson and Sprewell had a hell of a battle tonight.

May 7th, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

76ers Starters
A. McKie
A. Iverson
G. Lynch
T. Hill
D. Mutombo

Knicks Starters
C. Billups
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
B. Reeves


Game Leaders
Pts - 31 - A. Iverson (76ers)
Rebs - 13 - D. Mutombo (76ers)
Asts - 9 - B. Reeves (Knicks)
Stls - 4 - A. Iverson (76ers)
Blks - 5 - D. Mutombo (76ers)

Player of the Game
A. Houston (Knicks)
22 pts, 3 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls.


Eastern Conference Finals: New York Knicks lead Series 1 - 0 vs Philadelphia 76ers

[RMJH4]

Conference Finals Game 2: Philadelphia 76ers 88 - 91 New York Knicks.

Conference Finals Game 2: Philadelphia 76ers 88 - 91 New York Knicks.



Camby fought hard on the boards all night for the Knicks, grabbing 14 rebounds.

May 11th, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

76ers Starters
A. McKie
A. Iverson
G. Lynch
T. Hill
D. Mutombo

Knicks Starters
C. Billups
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
B. Reeves


Game Leaders
Pts - 45 - A. Iverson (76ers)
Rebs - 17 - D. Mutombo (76ers)
Asts - 13 - E. Snow (76ers)
Stls - 3 - M. Redd (Knicks)
Blks - 4 - M. Camby (Knicks)

Player of the Game
L. Sprewell (Knicks)
23 pts, 2 rebs, 8 asts, 2 stls.



Eastern Conference Finals: New York Knicks lead Series 2 - 0 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference Finals: San Antonio Spurs lead Series 1 - 0 vs Los Angeles Lakers.

[djp73]

Re: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

was a huge knicks fan during this era, just seeing this now but i'll try to read through.

[RMJH4]

Conference Finals Game 3: New York Knicks 92 - 93 Philadelphia 76ers.

Conference Finals Game 3: New York Knicks 92 - 93 Philadelphia 76ers.



Mutombo's defense was the deciding factor tonight as the Sixers win game 3.

May 13th, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
M. Camby
B. Reeves

76ers Starters
A. McKie
A. Iverson
G. Lynch
T. Hill
D. Mutombo


Game Leaders
Pts - 36 - A. Iverson (76ers)
Rebs - 13 - D. Mutombo (76ers)
Asts - 7 - B. Reeves (Knicks)
Stls - 4 - A. Houston (Knicks)
Blks - 6 - D. Mutombo (76ers)

Player of the Game
A. Iverson (76ers)
36 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls.


Eastern Conference Finals: New York Knicks lead Series 2 - 1 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers 1 - 1 vs San Antonio Spurs.

[RMJH4]

Re: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

was a huge knicks fan during this era, just seeing this now but i'll try to read through.

Lots to catch up on, enjoy the read! Good to see you still around!