I had the honor recently of sitting down with The MSG Network for an on-camera interview that appeared over the weekend in their documentary film about the close relationship between NBA pioneers Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Joe Lapchick.

Clifton, the former Harlem Globetrotter and New York Rens star, was one of the first 3 black players to break the N.B.A. color barrier in 1950 when he joined the New York Knicks.

Lapchick, the former Original Celtics star and Basketball Hall of Fame member, was Clifton’s coach.

The film is very good. Poignant. Bittersweet. A classic reminder and a nod of respect. Well done.

Since the modern day Knicks organization is so terrible — inexplicably, for example, they’re still not interested in retiring Clifton’s #8 jersey — this project is a breath of fresh air for any Knicks fan.

Any fan of basketball, social breakthroughs, sports culture, and history, for that matter.

Here are some highlights of my cameo appearance in the film.

Also appearing in the documentary are a rich gang of experts, historians, and old-timers like John Isaacs, Richard Lapchick, Earl Lloyd, Cal Ramsey, Howie Evans, Bob Wolff, and many others.

Did you get a chance to see it? If so, did you appreciate MSG’s portrayal?

Should the Knicks retire Clifton’s jersey? What are your thoughts?

Advertisement