Putting Knicks Through The Hoops

Charles Grodin Had Some Pointers For His Team

(CBS)  A weekly commentary by 60 Minutes II correspondent Charles Grodin:

---

I have been a devoted fan of the New York Knicks basketball team for a long time. I've been with them through great times and hard times.

For the last couple of years, it's been hard times.

I would do anything for my team. So a few months ago, before the season started, I went out to their new training facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. to offer my help.

I talked to head coach Don Chaney and I talked to assistant coach Herb Williams.

I talked to one of the Knicks’ big men - Travis Knight.

The team's star, Allan Houston, seemed very grateful that I had come.

I spoke to newly acquired all-star, Antonio McDyess, about some of the difficulties of playing in New York.

I spoke to Knick forward, Clarence Weatherspoon. When he does something good, Knick fans chant "Spoon." I wanted to be sure Spoon's friends' teasing wasn't a distraction.

I think I offered some good advice to back-up player Mark Pope on how to get more playing time.

I decided to offer a little instruction on form to Knick forward Othella Harrington.

I was a little embarrassed to have to show a professional how to do it but I was willing to deal with my embarrassment to help the team.

Shortly after I spoke with all-star Antonio McDyesse, he fractured his left patella. That's a broken knee-cap. He's yet to play in a regular season game.

I don't know whether Mark Pope took my advice on buying the coach a gift. But at this point he too has yet to play in a regular season game.

Actually even though he sits on the bench, he's now there in a suit and tie.

As for the Knicks’ record at this point – well, sometimes my advice takes a little time to settle in.