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Interview With Marc Berman
By Linda Chen
December 10, 2001
Marc Berman, the great and gracious Knick beat writer for the New York Post, was kind enough to answer some of our questions from the New York Knicks Fan Page. We sincerely thank him for taking some time out of his busy day to address some of our questions and concerns.
Marc Berman is also the author of his new book, "Living Without Ew': The Crash of the Post-Ewing Knicks" It details the chaotic season of 2000-01 that followed the trade of Knicks' franchise player Patrick Ewing. The book was released on Dec. 1 and is available at Barnes and Noble and can be purchased online. It can also be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-729-6078.
| LC: |
Talk about your new book, "Living Without Ew'." What is it about and what inspired you to write it? |
| MB: |
Actually, a sportswriter I used to worked with back in the late 1980s and now works for a sports-publishing house, Albion Press, called me in the summer of 2000 wondering if I'd be interested in doing a Knicks book chronicling Patrick Ewing's last season as a Knick. When Ewing got traded, the project was put on hold. However, the season became such a wild one - with the
Charlie Ward bible fiasco and the Camby hostage crisis - the publisher contacted me during the playoffs and asked me if I could still do the book. It's basically a diary of the season with a lot of fresh historical info and a lot of Ewing. I do believe, though, that some of the best stuff is on Van Gundy and I'm hoping Knick fans will be interested in reading about his last full season in New York. |
| LC: |
How is the life of a sports beat writer? To us, it seems like a great job. We would be able to travel with our favorite team and go to all the games and actually get paid for writing game recaps, which we are already doing. |
| MB: |
In truth, it's a great job but it's not for everyone. The constant travel is difficult because of airline delays and cancellations and very early-morning flights. And being away from the family (I have a wife and two
young kids) is difficult. But seeing all the NBA cities is a terrific thrill and one of the highlights of the job. Watching the game courtside is tremendous but once the second half begins, we have to take out our computers and start writing a "running" copy because we have to file minutes after the game for our earlier
editions. My favorite city is Chicago and I may never have visited there if not for my occupation. The beat writers must attend the morning shootaround and write early stories before the game for our earliest edition papers so we don't have the whole day free to enjoy the cities. But the time we do have we try to see the
sights, and dine at the well-known restaurants. My top five NBA cities include, in order, Chicago, SF, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Boston. Vancouver used to be on the list but Memphis isn't bad with a place called Beale Street, which is filled with blues bars and barbecue joints. |
| LC: |
Is it strange to write possibly critical comments about a player in the newspaper and see them every day? Does that impact your writings? |
| MB: |
Having to be critical of a player or coach in print and still maintain a good relationship is the toughest part of the job and I actually mentioned that in the book. The Post really wants us to be honest and not pull punches. Larry Johnson all but stopped talking to me because last season I was writing that Kurt Thomas should start over him. Van Gundy was very sensitive to criticism, which is why I don't think I was his favorite writer. I hope Don Chaney has thicker skin. Some guys - like Sprewell - aren't bothered by anything you write. I'm still unsure if Spree reads the papers. I don't think he's a regular reader. |
| LC: |
Talk about Van Gundy's sudden resignation. Did you see this coming? Why do you think he did it? How will this impact the team? |
| MB: |
We didn't see this coming only because of their 5-1 tear. Had he done this on the West Coast a few weeks ago when the team was in turmoil, it would have been more predictable. But Van Gundy is so calculating that he made sure to go out a winner, keeping his stock as high as possible for when teams lobby for his services next season. He's so shrewd. That stuff about lack of "laser-like focus" may be true but there was more to it. He felt he'd be fired anyway at season's end, why not do it on his terms with the team finally above the .500 mark. There is definite concern - especially from Sprewell - on how Chaney will motivate this group. He's very laid-back, has only a .410 winning percentage and Spree is afraid the team will get too loosey-goosey. However, Chaney will run the ball and the team should benefit by that alone. |
| LC: |
Talk about your outlook on the Knicks. How far do you see them going this year? |
| MB: |
Considering the East is underwhelming, the outlook didn't seem so bleak before Van Gundy resigned and the club was on a 5-1 tear. They will definitely make the playoffs unless Camby goes
down again for an extended period and have a shot at the second round. Chaney still has a lot to
prove, but Mark Jackson, Camby, Spree and Houston have each been playing terrifically. We have
yet to see them with their whole complement, since Clarence Weatherspoon has been down.
Nothing new here, but it is amazing how one player - Camby - can make such a difference because
he does so many different things and is the only guy on the club who does those things - getting
offensive rebounds for easy putbacks, dominating the defensive boards, blocking or altering shots
when someone penetrates. He makes it easier for everyone else. |
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LC: |
Can the Knicks win with the core players of Sprewell, Houston and Camby? |
| MB: |
If they all have career years, the Big 3 of Houston, Sprewell and Camby can take the club deep
into the playoffs. That's a big if. Houston historically tails off in the latter part of the year and Camby
is bound to miss some more time because plantar fasciaitis never really goes away. But the Big 3 is
the foundation Scott Layden has built the club on and that's why he made only minor summer
moves. |
| LC: |
Do you think that the Knicks' management are unwilling to rebuild because they fear losing profit? |
| MB: |
Yes, it's tough to rebuild because of the ticket prices. The biggest fear is empty seats and that's
what a losing season or two would breed in New York. Fans here are spoiled. As much as fans say
they'd go through rebuilding, could you imagine people paying those prices to watch a young
Bulls-like team? It just can't happen here and when you have Houston, Spree and Camby in their
primes, why not build around it instead of start from scratch, which is so difficult in the NBA. And
there's this great misperception if the Knicks let Ewing play out his contract, they would have been
enough under the cap to sign Webber. Completely false. They would have still been considerably
over the cap. |
| LC: |
Who do you see coming out of the East? |
| MB: |
I'm still picking the Sixers. They are battle-tested and eventually will get healthy. Mutombo is still the most fearsome center presence in the East, which gaves them a decided edge. Milwaukee? I just don't see them as champions. Not enough gritty inside players, though Mason helps. |
| LC: |
Does anybody stand a chance against the Lakers this year?
Also, how do you feel about the officiating in the NBA, especially on how certain 'star' players receive special treatments from officials. Do you feel that the sometime arbitrary calls by officials make the game less exciting? |
| MB: |
As long as Shaq gets those
calls in the post and is able to barrel over people, the Lakers should win again. I thought he got
every call in The Finals against Mutombo. If they start calling his offensive fouls, the Lakers become
beatable. Until then, they'll win another one. I truly dislike the superstar calls in basketball. You
don't see it in the other sports. |
| LC: |
Favorite movie? |
| MB: |
Rocky. |
| LC: |
Favorite book? |
| MB: |
The Firm. |
| LC: |
Favorite musical artist? |
| MB: |
Bruce Springsteen. |
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