A notable former Knick announced his retirement. Plus, some thoughts on Zach Lowe getting laid off by ESPN and the final "Knick You Knew" of the year from Ray Marcano.
I hope that Zach understands the power and freedom of Substack and launches an NBA newsletter. I’m a basketball nut and obviously even crazier when it comes to the Knicks, and I subscribe to four NBA Substack newsletters and if Zach launches a newsletter that would be my fifth NBA-related paid Substack letter. I bet many of us would agree and make a Substack lucrative enough for Zach to continue covering the NBA but also having total editorial freedom.
And best wishes to DRose. I loved watching him on the Knicks (second go-around) as he was exciting to watch even in his diminished state and also a very important team leader. When I heard the news, the first thing I thought was “I hope Thibs hires him to be our PG coach,” although DRose made it pretty clear he wanted to step away from the NBA.
And thank you Ray for all the “Knick you Knew” columns. When Jonathan first introduced these, I was not sure I was thrilled to read about long ago players but pretty quickly, that column became of my editorial favorites. I hope you run them again next season Ray and Jonathan!
I am curious what other substacks you found that you like. One reason I am such a big fan of this one compared to some other forums is the limited hot takes. Other forums are like the Steven A Smith of forums. This is more like Zach.
Ken, I'm a big fan of "Good Morning it's Basketball" as the stories are think pieces and analysis. For rumors, Marc Stein isn't bad and for my Knick fix, besides KFS (which is by far the best), I like "Whats on Tap with Tommy Beer."
Over the past handful of years, the only NBA writers I've read consistently are Zach Lowe and you. I've followed Zach since the Grantland days and learned so much about basketball reading his articles and listening to his podcast. His work made me a smarter fan.
One of my favorite Zach Lowe columns was the one he wrote after Kobe's death, when he shared the story about how Kobe reached out to him so they could watch basketball and "discuss the future of media coverage." That tells you everything you need to know about Zach. Kobe Bryant was like, "Yeah, this guy gets it. I need to talk to him."
Today, I'm even more appreciative for KFS. I'm a smarter fan because of the work you guys have done too. I've learned so much about the salary cap and roster construction through Cap or No Cap. You guys have helped me stay as grounded emotionally as possible with an eye on the bigger picture. You are the Zach Lowe of the Knicks. Thanks for all you guys do.
Zach Lowe's layoff reminds us of the treasure we have in Jonathan Macri (as if we needed that reminder) and how he's built the best Knicks community around. He works all day and still finds the energy to provide podcasts and YouTube content, appear on other broadcasts as an (A+) authoritative voice for the Knicks, and then put out a detailed, smart and well written newsletter (and writing ain't easy) while spending time with his beautiful family and then doing it again, day in and day out.
If I recall, Zach was the first BBall writer to put game clips into his articles (at least the first mainstream one). It completely revolutionized how one reads a basketball article. A great guy, and also a trailblazer
Ray! Thank you for the Jerry Harkness piece. I would say he was one of the many men and women who helped this country along a very bumpy road to brotherhood. I was 24 in 1963 and had just completed my first year of teaching in New York State. I'd read Steinbeck's Travels With Charlie and somehow talked my wife into giving up our apartment, putting our stuff in storage, and loading our Corvair with camping gear. It had a cartop carrier and we put touristy stickers on the back windows as we made our way south. We looked like something we were not, and as we drove along the beach in Biloxi, Mississippi, a Pontiac convertible pulled alongside. There were four big guys sitting in it with a huge inner tube, They shouted at us, "Hey! Are y'all civil rights workers?" We shook our heads and they sped off, but later that summer we read about the three civil rights workers murdered in Nashoba County Mississippi. Race was a very serious business at that time and place. Jerry Harkness was a courageous man.
Sad news about Zach. This follows ESPN's curious decision to get rid of Jeff Van Gundy for Doris Burke and Doc Rivers which I also didn't understand. I really enjoyed Zach. Unfortunately, the bad decisions at ESPN are just a small part of the bigger Disney mess which includes ruining Star Wars and Marvel for their core fans as well.
Lowe will wind up somewhere great - hopefully with more freedom and more space to write - but I agree with everything you said here, Jon. He's been a huge part of why I've continued to fall in love with the game and I just hope he manages to bring all the remaining talent from ESPN - especially Chris Herring - wherever he goes next
No one was a fan of Derrick Rose on his initial go around with the Knicks, but he did everyone proud upon his return. He reminded me of Mo Cheeks when the Knicks obtained him at the end of his career ( for a young Rod Strickland). All of a sudden we had point guard who actually dribbled forward keeping the entire chessboard in view. No backing into the post, no stagnation on offense, but the ball being moved to the right person at the right time. Derrick had that, alas too late in his career for us.
I tend to get to the games early. Watching Derrick shoot baskets with his daughter was a terrific watch. Good dad.
I stopped being a fan of ESPN on line years ago. Don’t charge for content, sell advertising. ESPN and the lame magazine they forced you to buy with plus was wrong.
As to Mr. Lowe, like all the good ones, he’ll reinvent himself into something better. Too much talent and personality
Might just be my perception, but it seems like they’ve taken the mantle as the only major paper left that still matters. Stock price nearly doubling in the last 2 years doesn’t hurt.
The NY Times IS thriving because despite early bumps, they now have the highest number of paid content subs in the US. They have well over 10.2 million digital only paid subscribers and that number grows double digits every year. And if you figure they average $20 per sub, thats $200m dollars!
I hope that Zach understands the power and freedom of Substack and launches an NBA newsletter. I’m a basketball nut and obviously even crazier when it comes to the Knicks, and I subscribe to four NBA Substack newsletters and if Zach launches a newsletter that would be my fifth NBA-related paid Substack letter. I bet many of us would agree and make a Substack lucrative enough for Zach to continue covering the NBA but also having total editorial freedom.
And best wishes to DRose. I loved watching him on the Knicks (second go-around) as he was exciting to watch even in his diminished state and also a very important team leader. When I heard the news, the first thing I thought was “I hope Thibs hires him to be our PG coach,” although DRose made it pretty clear he wanted to step away from the NBA.
And thank you Ray for all the “Knick you Knew” columns. When Jonathan first introduced these, I was not sure I was thrilled to read about long ago players but pretty quickly, that column became of my editorial favorites. I hope you run them again next season Ray and Jonathan!
Ray can write here as long as he wants to!
I am curious what other substacks you found that you like. One reason I am such a big fan of this one compared to some other forums is the limited hot takes. Other forums are like the Steven A Smith of forums. This is more like Zach.
I enjoy Yaya Dubin's "Last Night In Basketball." Marc Stein is also good for news and rumors
Ken, I'm a big fan of "Good Morning it's Basketball" as the stories are think pieces and analysis. For rumors, Marc Stein isn't bad and for my Knick fix, besides KFS (which is by far the best), I like "Whats on Tap with Tommy Beer."
Thanks
Over the past handful of years, the only NBA writers I've read consistently are Zach Lowe and you. I've followed Zach since the Grantland days and learned so much about basketball reading his articles and listening to his podcast. His work made me a smarter fan.
One of my favorite Zach Lowe columns was the one he wrote after Kobe's death, when he shared the story about how Kobe reached out to him so they could watch basketball and "discuss the future of media coverage." That tells you everything you need to know about Zach. Kobe Bryant was like, "Yeah, this guy gets it. I need to talk to him."
Today, I'm even more appreciative for KFS. I'm a smarter fan because of the work you guys have done too. I've learned so much about the salary cap and roster construction through Cap or No Cap. You guys have helped me stay as grounded emotionally as possible with an eye on the bigger picture. You are the Zach Lowe of the Knicks. Thanks for all you guys do.
Chris, it's too early on a Friday to be getting misty eyed.
Thank you. Means more than you know.
Really enjoyed this one — two great toasts to two truly fantastic careers! Hope Zach Lowe settles into a new, better role soon
I will make it three great toasts. The Harkness story was pretty cool to go with the Rose and Zach toasts.
Thank you, Ray, for educating me AGAIN
Zach Lowe's layoff reminds us of the treasure we have in Jonathan Macri (as if we needed that reminder) and how he's built the best Knicks community around. He works all day and still finds the energy to provide podcasts and YouTube content, appear on other broadcasts as an (A+) authoritative voice for the Knicks, and then put out a detailed, smart and well written newsletter (and writing ain't easy) while spending time with his beautiful family and then doing it again, day in and day out.
Check is in the mail, Ray.
(You're the kindest person imaginable. Thank you for you all you have done and continue to do)
If I recall, Zach was the first BBall writer to put game clips into his articles (at least the first mainstream one). It completely revolutionized how one reads a basketball article. A great guy, and also a trailblazer
If someone did it before him, I don't remember it
PS Ray can write. He’s a keeper
Well, Jon, all I can say about the departure of Zack Lowe is, Get a running start and hurl your biggest F bomb at ESPN for us all.
Ray! Thank you for the Jerry Harkness piece. I would say he was one of the many men and women who helped this country along a very bumpy road to brotherhood. I was 24 in 1963 and had just completed my first year of teaching in New York State. I'd read Steinbeck's Travels With Charlie and somehow talked my wife into giving up our apartment, putting our stuff in storage, and loading our Corvair with camping gear. It had a cartop carrier and we put touristy stickers on the back windows as we made our way south. We looked like something we were not, and as we drove along the beach in Biloxi, Mississippi, a Pontiac convertible pulled alongside. There were four big guys sitting in it with a huge inner tube, They shouted at us, "Hey! Are y'all civil rights workers?" We shook our heads and they sped off, but later that summer we read about the three civil rights workers murdered in Nashoba County Mississippi. Race was a very serious business at that time and place. Jerry Harkness was a courageous man.
Sad news about Zach. This follows ESPN's curious decision to get rid of Jeff Van Gundy for Doris Burke and Doc Rivers which I also didn't understand. I really enjoyed Zach. Unfortunately, the bad decisions at ESPN are just a small part of the bigger Disney mess which includes ruining Star Wars and Marvel for their core fans as well.
I too am a Marvel fan and haven't loved some of those decisions either
Lowe will wind up somewhere great - hopefully with more freedom and more space to write - but I agree with everything you said here, Jon. He's been a huge part of why I've continued to fall in love with the game and I just hope he manages to bring all the remaining talent from ESPN - especially Chris Herring - wherever he goes next
The funny thing is that Chris isn't a hot take guy, so it's interesting that they just brought him in.
Top 10 KFS line: I try my best to be the Zach Lowe of the Knicks, and it’s fucking exhausting.
Agree ZLO is an all-time great and was one of the few remaining reasons I had to visit espn.com. Nice tribute.
You just reminded me I have to cancel my ESPN plus subscription today
I will do the same. Fk let’s all do it. It will liberate!
No one was a fan of Derrick Rose on his initial go around with the Knicks, but he did everyone proud upon his return. He reminded me of Mo Cheeks when the Knicks obtained him at the end of his career ( for a young Rod Strickland). All of a sudden we had point guard who actually dribbled forward keeping the entire chessboard in view. No backing into the post, no stagnation on offense, but the ball being moved to the right person at the right time. Derrick had that, alas too late in his career for us.
I tend to get to the games early. Watching Derrick shoot baskets with his daughter was a terrific watch. Good dad.
I stopped being a fan of ESPN on line years ago. Don’t charge for content, sell advertising. ESPN and the lame magazine they forced you to buy with plus was wrong.
As to Mr. Lowe, like all the good ones, he’ll reinvent himself into something better. Too much talent and personality
Small note, Knicks were 11-14, not 11-13
Hi Jonathan, pardon my ignorance or maybe my lack of paying attention :) but how is the New York Times still thriving.
Might just be my perception, but it seems like they’ve taken the mantle as the only major paper left that still matters. Stock price nearly doubling in the last 2 years doesn’t hurt.
The NY Times IS thriving because despite early bumps, they now have the highest number of paid content subs in the US. They have well over 10.2 million digital only paid subscribers and that number grows double digits every year. And if you figure they average $20 per sub, thats $200m dollars!
And that does not include those who pay for print +digital. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/08/business/media/new-york-times-earnings.html