Didn’t think I’d make it to the Earl “The Perl” Monroe signing this past weekend at J&R, but I did have some time free up at the last minute, so I hopped on a train downtown at the buzzer so to speak. By the time I got there, they were getting ready to leave and there was basically no line to see one of the guys responsible for last bringing the city of New York “the shiny stuff.” Never met the guy before, it was an honor to meet Knick royalty and he was down to earth and friendly.
I got to chat with him a bit too–should have recorded it so it could have been an interview for Knicksdefense, but then again there was a grumpy looking PR guy sitting right next to him that probably would have prohibited any type of audio/video recording.
First thing I said was good job with the sudden MSG commentating at the end of the season. He said thanks and that it was his first time calling Knick games and enjoyed it. I told him that the Knicks seemed to play better while he was there and he agreed (Pearl’s time as an MSG announcer basically paralleled Wilson Chandler’s emergence towards the end of the season). He does not know if MSG is going to ask him back to call more games next season as of yet. I can see a vacancy opening up, especially if Kenny Smith somehow becomes GM somewhere…
But then I asked Pearl if he thought Mike D and Donnie Walsh will be able to turn it around, and he said “they have to.” I kind of made a remark that anyone could do a better job than Isiah, and then, knowing this guy just got some paychecks from MSG, tried to cover my ass by saying, “well, it wasn’t all Isiah’s fault because they were also a mess when he got here,” but this is all he had to say about the Knicks’ recent failures under Isiah:
“Yeah, but those were all his guys.”
So it turns out I have something in common with Pearl, and from the other Knicks blogs I’ve read throughout the years, Clyde doesn’t think Isiah’s made the right moves in New York either.
I love J&R. I ended up buying a laptop a few minutes later. If it was a marketing ploy to get customers in the door it worked. I should have had him sign the laptop, but then I couldn’t return it in case I end up not liking it for some reason…
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Kurt Thomas is coming up big time for the spurs right now.
Looks like a classic game seven right about now.
I know it is his first time, but CP3 is one heck of a playoff competitor.
Fight fire with fire CP3.
It must have been great to chat w/ Pearl. Congrats on your 1st semi-interview. The top guys from the championship days know where its at and in Isaih’s case where it isn’t.
Looks like the champs really want to win this one. This has been a phenomenal playoffs so far and I really hope it continues. Maybe next year we can be part of the show.
14 more hours til lottery time. Lets Go Knicks !!!!
charles barkley says the best team always wins a seven game series. i guess san antonio is the best team, congrats to them.
looking forward to the lottery tomorrow. good luck knicks!
Alan Hahn’s article on the lottery tomorrow.
If we got the top pick.. who would you want Rose or Beasely?
Derrick Rose, for the win!
(would be happy with either)
Rose hands down. This ship needs a captain.