What is really the relationship today between you and the current Nick owner?

Well, there's no real relationship.

He was unhappy that I would at times criticize him.

The team, if they weren't playing well, I just don't believe in broadcasting like that.

So there is no relationship.

I certainly respect what the Knicks have done.

I think also the great thing about this team is the fact that there are so many good people on this squad.

Either way, Jalen Brunson, what are your thoughts on this guy? What an amazing series, specifically the last couple of games and that final game.

What was that day like for you at the broadcast chair, and how were you informed of what was going on,

Marv? That was, I'd have to say, the most unusual day I personally have had as a broadcaster.

We were going back and forth doing the game, but we were going back and forth with Tom Brokaw, who was in the studio, and they'd cut away every so often.

At that time, there were TV monitors at courtside on the far side from us.

It was more for the media that was sitting courtside.

And the players during a timeout, I remember it was Houston against the Knicks.

I remember Kenny Smith running over to take a look during a timeout.

How does one professionally turn a page? I mean, I just remember you were just frequently taking it back from Brokaw and just, what, pausing and then calling the game? Like, how do you do that, Marv, you know?

This team being built like this, in a way, Marvin, makes it that much more special.

I agree with everything you said.

And also, I must say that the way the team was built...

And, I mean, Brunson might be...

I think Shaq said this the other night.

The best free agent signing in the history of the NBA.

I mean, the Knicks... best acquisition since Dave DeBuscher and that's back in 1968 he was traded for Walt Bellamy and Howard Comis acquired from Detroit that was the best Nick trade ever made and then Jerry Lucas came along in 1973 I may be mentioning names that people who are listening to this have not ever heard plus Earl Monroe joined the team and he was in a second championship season in But, uh, yeah, it, it, it's really special, particularly with the comeback wins that there was such a comeback team.

It's remarkable.

Hmm.

Uh, De- DeBusschere was acquired for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komaz, which was an incredible trade for the Knicks.

It just turned everything around.

Then they got Earl Monroe for seven- uh, who was available till '73.

That wa- that, uh, also was a huge trade, and eventually Jerry Lucas.

But those, those teams, uh, were spectacular in the way they moved the ball around.

Uh, you had some of the greatest players of all time and, uh, I think if they played today, uh, you know, with the same training programs and, uh, the same type of situation, th- they would be outstanding.

Why did it take 53 years, Marv?

Hmm.

Uh, De- DeBusschere was acquired for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komarz, which was an incredible trade for the Knicks.

It just turned everything around.

Then they got Earl Monroe for seven- uh, who was available for 73.

That wa- that, uh, also was a huge trade and eventually Jerry Lucas.

But those, those teams, uh, were spectacular in the way they moved the ball around.

Uh, you had some of the greatest players of all time.

Why did it take 53 years, Marv?

Yeah, yeah.

I mean, you know, the sounds in the arenas are not as loud as now, the structure of the way th- these arenas are being built.

But this was the loudest I had ever heard, uh, at a, at a Knick game certainly, or in any, uh, any arena, as he walked out of the floor.

Took a couple of jump shots, I remember, from the far side.

And then, uh, he's in the starting line-up.

No one expected him to play.

And he hits his first two shots, both kind of short jump.

He does.

Right.

But, uh, I mean, the, the, the team of 1970, and of course the game is so different now, it's so much faster.

You have all the three-point shots, perhaps too many.

Uh, but the team to me in '70 was one of the, one of the great teams in the history of the league.

And that was, you know, Frazier and Barnett in the back court.

It was Willis Reed.

It was Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley up front, and a couple of guys off the bench.

when they won in '73, Marv, did it feel like they still had more gas in the tank to go further and to go to more finals, or did, did you know that was probably coming to an end at that point?