Thanks to good coaching, a competent front office and solid players on the basketball court, the New York Knicks are the hottest basketball ticket in Gotham City.
One person who has observed the team’s sizzling hot progress is Teresa Weatherspoon.
“Talented,” Weatherspoon tells Scoop B Radio.
“Talented and fun to watch. It’s a fun brand of basketball.
“It’s an awesome thing to see, you know?”
Currently the head coach of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, T-Spoon was one of the original members of the WNBA when it launched in 1997. She spent almost all of her career as a member of the New York Liberty.
“I’ve had a great career and the opportunity to play in New York,” said the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer.
“But most importantly, accepted in that city. I was a little country girl. Being accepted in New York City is STILL overwhelming for me to know that everything that you try to give to the game of basketball in that city that it’s truly appreciated.”
The WNBA’s first Defensive Player of the Year Award recipient, Weatherspoon remembers the city’s bright lights shining especially bright in 1999 when both the Knicks and the Liberty were Eastern Conference Champions competing in their respective Championship series against two teams from Texas.
The Knicks faced the San Antonio Spurs in June and the Liberty played against the Houston Comets in September.
Guided by a talented roster of Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston, Larry Johnson and Marcus Camby, the Knicks warred it out with David Robinson and Tim Duncan’s Spurs. Without Patrick Ewing, the Knicks were outmatched by the Spurs and lost the series 4-1.
Similarly months later, the Liberty, guided by Weatherspoon, Sue Wicks, Becky Hammon and Kym Hampton were without their star center, Rebecca Lobo. The Liberty were downed 2-1 in the WNBA Finals by the Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson led Houston Comets.
Fast forward to 2024, after appearing in the WNBA Finals last year, the Liberty are hoping to return to the promised land this season. They’re currently running things in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference behind the solid play of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu.
Similarly, the Knicks are looking to get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 with a fortified roster built around Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Julius Randle, Donte DiVencenzo and Mitchell Robinson.
“It’s a GREAT thing,” says Weatherspoon.
“And seeing our Knicks playing the way that they are, doing the things that they’re doing; having that gym rockin’ like the way it should be and the city loves it. It’s huge.”
Lastly, while Weatherspoon has relocated to Chicago where she is guiding the Chicago Sky and their franchise player Angel Reese, she’s had the opportunity to voyage from the familiarity of New York’s thin crust pizza and enjoy Chicago’s deep dish.
Million Dollar Question: Is T-Spoon rolling with deep dish or thin crust?
“Not answering that right now,” Weatherspoon said with a chuckle.
“C’mon man, just know that I love New York City. Everybody knows that. I love it with my heart and soul but for right now… I’m in Chicago.”
