RealGM

Hello all.

I made a video compilation of Sprewell and Houston's highlights during the 1999 Playoffs run with the New York Knicks. You can chime in and use this thread to add what memories or recolection you have of that spring, how are these players judged historically (specially by New Yorkers and Knicks fans), and specifically, what do you remember of Spree's and Houston's game style. I have to admit I've always been enamored of these two, so I can't be objective. I think Sprewell had an intensity and ferocity to him rarely seen nowadays (closest and most recent example I can think of right now is Oklahoma's Westbrook), and Houston's shooting stroke and moves were very ballet-like. Very classy and technically polished. Loved watching him also.

So anyway, just my two cents on the subject. Hope you enjoy the video and looking forward to read your comments!

I was 19 and loved them both

Even with a healthy Ewing, I think Knicks would still have lost to the Spurs since Ewing was past his prime, they had a great run

I was surprised by them. Wasn’t Larry Johnson part of it also

Was never a huge fan of Houston as I always felt he was overrated. Don't get me wrong, he was a knock down scorer but his overall game was weak. Sprewell on the other hand was easily their best overall player. Dude was all heart out there.

Loved Latrell Sprewell GS & Knicks version. For a while he was my favorite SG in the League until Kobe came into his own then of course T-Mac.

Spree was all hustle all the time, that dunk on Jaren Jackson Jr's daddy lol and Barkley was iconic! He got Pippen too in an All Star Game then raised the roof afterwards. Fun times.

MInny Spree was pretty much cooked. Hate that NY played him at SF wearing him down.

Loved that team. Back when Spree was the "defensive stopper" and the Knicks and Raptors had this weird interesting rivalry.

Allan Houston was one of my favorite players, just so smooth and silky with the jumper. Never talked, just got buckets. He was kinda like Klay in that way.

Knicks and Heat and Pacers were like crips and bloods. Teams really hated each other back then.

The Knicks vs heat games from that Era were great

LakersLegacy wrote:I was surprised by them. Wasn’t Larry Johnson part of it also

Yes, he hit the legendary 4 point play against the pacers.

dlts20 wrote:I was 19 and loved them both

You must have been a real animal when you were 19...I'll leave it at that.

azcatz11 wrote:

dlts20 wrote:I was 19 and loved them both

You must have been a real animal when you were 19...I'll leave it at that.

Lmao

MagicFan12345 wrote:Even with a healthy Ewing, I think Knicks would still have lost to the Spurs since Ewing was past his prime, they had a great run

Pretty close series though. You have to imagine if the Knicks chucked up a few more 3s like modern offenses and the series could have gone completely differently.

GregOden wrote:

MagicFan12345 wrote:Even with a healthy Ewing, I think Knicks would still have lost to the Spurs since Ewing was past his prime, they had a great run

Pretty close series though. You have to imagine if the Knicks chucked up a few more 3s like modern offenses and the series could have gone completely differently.

I do not know if losing by 12 and 13 points in the first 2 games is close but yeah, the rest was pretty close losing by 8, 7, and 1 point

Up to finals they were fun to watch

https://champsorchumps.us/team/nba/new-york-knicks/1999
1999
Sweeping the hawks was probably most dominant playoff series they’ve had since

Before being permanently a Lakers fan, I used to be a bandwagon fan as a kid. After Jordan retired I became a fan of the Knicks and NY Sprewell. That Pacers series was awesome.

This is why I over-rate Spree's Knicks tenure as much as I do

Those two were so good during that run and Spree continued to play with so much heart & energy.

My favorite player from that team was Camby for some reason, though I didn't follow the NBA as closely as I did later on.

I have his jersey from the Finals. Not that you - or anybody - asked.

picc wrote:Loved that team. Back when Spree was the "defensive stopper" and the Knicks and Raptors had this weird interesting rivalry.

Allan Houston was one of my favorite players, just so smooth and silky with the jumper. Never talked, just got buckets. He was kinda like Klay in that way.

Knicks and Heat and Pacers were like crips and bloods. Teams really hated each other back then.

I guess most of you have already read this, but just in case someone hasn't, it's a great read:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theringer.com/platform/amp/2017/5/15/16045664/oral-history-nba-playoffs-new-york-knicks-miami-heat-1997-brawl-20-year-anniversary-96b8a5be329f

I remember the Spanish NBA GOATmentator (RIP Andrés Montes) used to call Allan Houston Hilo de seda (silk thread) Houston. He also called Sprewell Melodía de seducción Sprewell, that's because of the Al Pacino film, Sea of Love (that was renamed in Spain), but I never understood why.

Those were good times.

MagicFan12345 wrote:Even with a healthy Ewing, I think Knicks would still have lost to the Spurs since Ewing was past his prime, they had a great run

Agree.

But it would have been a longer series. Even a washed up Ewing was much more valuable than Dudley, who among other things, was a huge liabilty (understatement even) on offense and free throw shooting.