“In 1973, we were injured most of the season,” Frazier …
Article excerpt
Joe Frazier recalls the 1973 season when his team battled through significant injuries that plagued them throughout the year. The boxing legend's comment reflects on a challenging period marked by health setbacks that impacted performance. Despite these obstacles, the team persevered through what Frazier characterizes as one of their most difficult campaigns. His reflection offers insight into how adversity and injury shaped that particular season's narrative.
The Knicks, who beat the Lakers 4-1 in the 1973 NBA Finals for their most recent championship, have the fifth-longest title drought in the NBA behind the Sacramento Kings (1951), Atlanta Hawks (1958), Phoenix Suns (founded in 1968, no titles) and Los Angeles Clippers (founded in 1970, no titles). Frazier said today’s Knicks remind him of the 1973 squad. “In 1973, we were injured most of the season,” Frazier said. “But coming towards the playoffs, we started to get healthy. It reminds me of what these Knicks are doing now in the last 10 games. That is the way we were playing. Everybody was moving and grooving. Dishing and swishing. Our thing was always defense. Tenacious defense. … “Right now, people are comparing [today’s Knicks] to us. They are a little overzealous. When we were with [coach] Red Holzman, you know what he’d tell us now? ‘Clyde, we have won nothing. You got to keep going.’ That is what it is.”
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “In 1973, we were injured most of the season,” Frazier …