HUNGRY GERALD

2026 has been a spectacular championship year (after 53 years) for HG’s beloved Knicks. Beating the Spurs (4-1) wasn’t the most important thing–it was the community and unity that enveloped New York City. After each win, every street in every borough was filled with jubilant fans who celebrated all night—every color and ethnic origin was involved–differences disappeared. All was joy and Jalen Brunson was idolized. Though HG was ecstatic, old guy HG remembered the founding of the Knicks in 1946 (HG was 17). Pro basketball was a novelty–fan interest was focused on the very good local college teams—CCNY, NYU, LIU, ST. JOHN’S, MANHATTAN. Yes, there was a New York pro basketball team –New York Gothams—but it (and its league) soon closed due to lack of fan interest. New York basketball was a Jewish sport. The writer Paul Gallico (1897-1976) in his 1937 book “Farewell To Sport”noted the characteristics of Jewish players: “alert scheming minds, flashy trickiness, artful dodging and general smart alecness”.  (Book was soon removed from  school and public libraries). The NBA was formed in 1946 and the New York team was the Knickerbockers (named after the first Dutch settlers of the city). No one ever called them that—it was always “Knicks”. First team was very Jewish–Ossie Schectman (scored the first NBA goal in a winning effort against Toronto); Leo Gottlieb, Sonny Hertzberg, Ralph Kaplowitz. Only non-Jew was Mike Weber, a tall midwesterner. They faced anti-semitic taunts on their road trips.—but the Knicks kept their cool and won. The number of Jewish Knicks diminished and were replaced by stars like Bud Palmer, Carl Braun and Harry Gallatin. Today pro basketball has become a primarily African-American game.  Black players have brought artistry and fabulous athleticism to basketball. They have made the game a world wide phenomenon.