In one of the best-kept NBA secrets since “The Decision,” the New York Knicks practiced at McGill’s Love Competition Hall on Thursday. Amid little fanfare, the Knicks put in an afternoon of practice in preparation for an exhibition game Friday night against the Toronto Raptors at the Bell Centre. Members of the Redmen and Martlets basketball teams, as well as some members of the local sports media, observed the superstars.
It was the kind of event that doesn’t come around every day, and those who were there to witness it were not disappointed. On the same hardwood that our varsity teams call home and on which many of us play intramural sports, NBA players were practicing. Signs around the gym notified students that the gym was closed, and many did not even realize that their intramural contests were cancelled because of the presence of professional basketball players.
The Knicks relished a day outside of their usual surroundings and enjoyed practicing in a university environment. “To be able to go to a college where there’s lots of energy and excitement, that’s always good,” said Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni. “Practicing every day, it becomes a bit of drudgery, so it’s a nice change.” Many of the pros took some time to help out the McGill athletes with some shooting technique.
The coach also mentioned that his players were enjoying their time in Montreal. “Most of our players have never been to Montreal. It’s a beautiful city, and for them to be able to experience the city the night before, I think it’s great.”
Whether that statement meant that players were loading up on poutine and enjoying the infamous Montreal nightlife or soaking in the culture is a mystery. If anyone saw some larger than average men on their way to the bar scene on Thursday night, they probably saw the Knicks.
While varsity athletes were allowed down to the gym to watch the practice, those who are not so athletically gifted were forced to watch from the windows above the gym near Tomlinson Hall. Surprisingly, in this age of instant communication, there were only about twenty people watching from above. Whether this was because McGill students don’t care about basketball or if they were too focused on their studies is irrelevant; they missed a rare opportunity.
Later on, a crowd gathered in the hall as the Knicks made their way from the gym to the bus back to their hotel. Some lucky students were able to take pictures with stars, like power forward Amar’e Stoudamire. One fan was even heard shouting to the newly signed free agent, “Take us back to the Holy Land!” A clever pun combining Amar’e’s task of revitalizing the team with the NBA’s longest playoff drought and the summer rumours that the star big man travelled to Israel and is now exploring his alleged Jewish heritage.
Returning to the playoffs will be a tough task for the Knicks but in an Eastern Conference dominated by only a couple of teams, the last few spots should be up for grabs. “We have some good players, we’re young and we need to come together,” said D’Antoni. “We’ll try to make the playoffs, and 29 other teams are trying to do the same. We have a good shot at being pretty good this year.”
If the Knicks live up to expectations this season, a few McGill students will remember that the road back to the post-season began with a shoot-around at our very own gym.
