Q. You were a longtime coach at the Entertainers Basketball Classic tournament at Rucker Park in Harlem. And in 2003, your team was set to play Jay-Z’s team in the championship game. But the game never occurred. Can you explain?
A. I had been successful at Rucker for years. I would take the summer off to coach and run a team out there, and then Jay brought a team to Harlem that summer, with Beyoncé in the stands watching. And his team was smacking down everyone they played, so it was inevitable for our two teams to meet in the championship game. On his team for that game, he had Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford. I countered and brought in Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Al Harrington, Mike Bibby, Carmelo, Amar’e, Zach Randolph and Rafer Alston. I had a crew, and he had a crew, and we were about to go at it. And then the blackout hit New York City, so the game was canceled. The next day, the power came back, and the game was rescheduled. And Jay’s team didn’t show up. They forfeited the championship.
Q. Have you ever asked him about it?
A. Never again. I haven’t even talked to Jay-Z again after that incident.
Q. On the subject of Iverson, what’s his legacy?
A. Allen Iverson was the Tupac of basketball; he was a true revolutionary. His talent was incredible, but as you know, in this game of basketball, experts will say, “If you don’t get a chip, then we don’t care what you’ve done,” which is unfair to a lot of phenomenal players, like Ewing, Charles Barkley and also Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Q. All because of Michael Jordan.
A. (Laughs.) Yeah, Jordan killed a bunch of people’s legacies.
Q. What do you think of the Nets’ moving to Brooklyn?
A. I think it’s amazing. I like their whole vibe of what the Nets are putting together. It’s a real competitive team they are running out there. But I believe also that if you’re a true Knicks fan, you just don’t jump on their bandwagon. They’re the Brooklyn Nets, you know, but we’re the New York Knicks.
Q. Are you going to the game Monday?
A. Of course I’m going! Man, I’ll be wearing them orange-and-blue colors so brightly.
Q. Can someone root hard for both teams? To just be a fan of New York sports?
A. No, man. That just ain’t right, in any sport. So you’re either a Giants fan or a Jets fan. You’re either a Brooklyn Nets fan, or you’re a New York Knicks fan.