The LoHud Knicks Blog

Recent developments on the Interwebs made it possible for us to track down Knicks’ legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier — via his Twitter alter ego, @NotWaltFrazier — and he agreed to sit down with us to share his thoughts on the current New York roster, his place in the game, and his unparalleled sense of style.

I’m ready for mixin’ with The LoHud Knicksin’! Let’s go!

The Knicks have been very inconsistent since the ‘Melo deal, why is that?

When you start switchin’ & bewitchin’ your roster, continuity often turns into ambiguity. Chemistry that was once effusive can become elusive. Only time will tell if Carmelo’s indeed the right fellow, but if there’s one thing New York City is hatin’, it’s waitin’!

Mike D’Antoni has been pretty heavily criticized for his teams’ lack of defense. What do you think of him and his system?

Ha ha! Coach D’, the Master of Faster! He’s certainly been feeling some heat from the street. While I’ve always been a fan of runnin’ & gunnin’, it’s got to be balanced by lockin’ & blockin’! I like Mike, but it’s tough transcendin’ that lackadaisical defendin’.

‘Melo and Amar’e haven’t always seemed to be on the same page thus far. If you were the coach, how would you fix that?

It’s tough to build a team around two guys who aren’t known for ball distributin’ or defensive contributin’. Earl the Pearl and I worked because my repertoire was already consistin’ of prolific assistin’. STAT and Melo need less isolation & more pass-creation. But you won’t see me encroachin’ into coachin’ anytime soon!

What do the Knicks need in the off-season to be able to compete with the Eastern conference elite?

With most of the Knicks’ trade bait already out the gate, I think some defensive pontification and bench fortification would earn the fan’s gratification. And a summer away will keep the critics at bay. It’s amazing how some preseason time for jellin’ can have the confidence swellin’!

Are you friendly with Isiah Thomas? How about Stephon Marbury?

Ha ha! In my old age sagacity I’ve learned that if you’re not flatterin’, it’s best to not be chatterin’! So I’m gonna have to remain elusive even during this exclusive. But I’ll share one story with you. Back in ‘05, during a Chicago post-game, Zeke asked me what I thought of Eddy Curry. Eddy happened to be smilin’ in some Armani stylin’, so I said, “He looks good.” $60 million later, I’m still reprimandin’ my misunderstandin’!

So Clyde, you recently celebrated your 66th birthday. Do you think you could still play in the NBA?

In some aspects, I’m still playin’ & soiree’in like I did back in the 70s, but no longer do I cavort on the court. The game’s metamorphasized, sensationalized, revolutionized. But I do get in some quality runnin’ of one-on-one’in during road trips with Mike “Dream Team” Breen. He plays dirty, too! Foulin’ & scowlin’!

You get a lot of attention for your wardrobe. Who’s your stylist?

It all starts with Clyde. I’m always purveyin’ what the fashion world is portrayin’, lookin’ for a dilation of my inspiration. When it comes to fine attire, you know I’m a savvy buyer. Truthfully, I’ve got an assistant in the wings to make sure my fashion sings, but it’s all marked for removal without Clyde’s seal of approval!

You’ve debuted some unforgettable outfits this year. Which one’s your favorite?

Ha ha! That’s a “favorite kid” question! To be choosin’ would to be imply the other outfits are losin’! I’ll put it this way, if I was conductin’ a Suit Hall of Fame inductin’, my cowmoflauge would give the keynote. But my leopard and tiger palettin’… they’d certainly be first ballotin’!

Would Craig Sager ever have a shot at getting into the Suit Hall of Fame?

There’s no room amongst my famin’ for that cacophony of shamin’! Sager’s suits are offensive, inexpensive, reprehensive! I’d probably invite him to a faux-coronation, and then bedevil him with a Sager-Suit cremation!

Everyone has seen your Just For Men commercials, but what people really want to know is, is Keith Hernandez really as annoying in real life as he is on TV?

Mustache Chief Keith? Nah, he and I get along great. Although during one shoot, he started chimin’ with his own weak rhymin’! I was squashin’ & kiboshin’ that neophyte at the speed of light. Many have tried, but none can equal the Clyde!

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