Big East Tournament Worthy Tribute to Ali-Frazier 40 Years Later

It seems apropos that the Big East Tournament starts today at Madison Square Garden, 40 years to the day of the "Fight of the Century" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.  An unprecedented 11 Big East teams could possibly be headed to this year's NCAA tournament and there will surely be plenty of slug fests over the next five days on the Garden floor.

On March 8, 1971, on the same Garden floor Ali and Frazier, two undefeated heavyweights, faced each other in what many consider the greatest fight ever in the Garden or the modern era.

It's hard to believe that 40 years have passed since that night when over 20,000 fans sitting in the seats and over 30 million watching on closed circuit TV saw Frazier drop Ali in the 15th round with a left hook.  It changed fight history and how it was broadcast forever.

Just like the boxing match, which boasted two great fighters and touched on political and sociological opposites of the day, this year's Big East Tournament is loaded with talent and great back stories--if not as explosive as four decades ago.

If men's college basketball could ever be compared to boxing, it would be measured against the Big East.  The next five days should provide plenty of slipping, sliding, jabs and hooks.

Winning the tournament, on the biggest stage of all, is an exhausting feat.  The quarterfinals could actually pit eight top-25 teams pounding each other to a pulp, only to have to go another round in Friday's semis and another in the championship game on Saturday.  It says something about the toughness of the conference and it's a worthy tribute to the Ali-Frazier masterpiece.  The finalists in this smoker could be as spent as the two great pugilists were after their fifteen rounds.

Put this tournament in perspective.  Today's first-round games feature three teams who could get an invitation to the Big Dance.  A #9 seeded team like Connecticut or a #10 seed like Villanova is looking at playing five games in five days if they make the championship game.  Then the NCAA tournament begins on Thursday.  It's a killer route, with no cupcakes on the schedule.  The Final Four must be the furthest thing from player's minds during and after battling through the Garden.

While 1971 had the pall of the Vietnam War dividing the nation, each fighter had his own demons.  It was Ali's third fight, since his exile from boxing for his stance as a "conscientious objector," and, in some circles, Ali was a pariah.   Frazier had to deal with Ali's popularity and showmanship.  Frazier was never able to escape the cloud of Ali, even after winning the Ali-Frazier 1.

The tournament, while not as political, brings in it's own sub-plots, heroes and villains.

#1 seeded Pitt is playing for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA's.  #4 Syracuse and #3 Louisville are two of the hottest teams in the conference and should make good runs.  Can Villanova and Georgetown get over slumps and injuries to make a statement?

#5 St. John's--which faded a bit in the last week--is back on their home court.  The senior-filled team is 8-1 at the Garden and steamrolled six top-25 teams during that streak.  Their play during that run was the talk of college basketball and the Red Storm's return to prominence makes a tournament ticket an even hotter commodity this year.  If they roll like they did in February, a basically home court Big East Tournament Championship could be theirs for the taking. 

While the Big East is lacking a dominating force this year, there are still plenty of players worth watching.  Marshon Brooks (Providence) leads the conference in scoring with 24.8 points a game.  Kemba Walker (Connecticut), Ben Hansbrough (Notre Dame) and Dwight Hardy (St. John's) follow and can all light it up.  Brooks holds the conference single-game scoring record with 52 points he dumped on Notre Dame earlier this year

The World's Most Famous Arena shined like never before forty years ago.  Celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dustin Hoffman lit up the ringside.  The big names this week will be Pitino, Boeheim, Calhoun and Lavin.  Worthy names all,  but none bigger than Ali-Frazier  that one magical night.

Knicks Introduce 'Melo; Dolan: Isiah Participation "Fiction in some one's mind"

At 5:22 p.m. tonight, Carmelo Anthony was introduced to fans as a New York Knick for the first time.  The former-Denver Nugget stood alongside another former-Nugget, and new Knicks point guard, Chauncey Billups at a press conference at Madison Square Garden.

Anthony and Billups wore Knick warm up sweats and were introduced by Knicks owner James Dolan, who reiterated his statement that he, Knicks' head coach Mike D'Antoni and Knicks' president Donnie Walsh all worked in unison to land the 26 year-old superstar.

Dolan repeated what he said earlier that Isiah Thomas--who is in his second season as coach of Florida International University's men's basketball team-- had nothing to do with the Knicks getting Carmelo Anthony.  "It is untrue and fiction in some one's mind," stressed Dolan.

Last week Dolan, miffed by reports of Thomas' involvement in the dealing, said,"I'm assuming Isiah is getting ready for the NCAA Tournament.  That's what I'm assuming."

The low-key press conference was slowed by a group photo-op with Anthony, Billups, Dolan, D'Antoni and Walsh before it was crashed by Knicks' star player Amar'e Stoudemire.

The Knicks own version of the Big 3 stood together in public as New York Knicks for the first time as Stoudemire smiled for photos alongside Anthony and Billups.

It's Legends Night at the Garden tonight, but most eyes will be on the new #7 as Anthony makes his debut.  Tickets are going for up to five times face value.

Anthony said he was happy to be back home. "New York needed a moment like this," he said.  "New York basketball is back."

The former Red Hook schoolboy continued by saying, "At the end of the day I'm going in the right direction."  It's a dream come true and I'm ready to rock."

"This was about sitting down with my family and deciding New York was the place to bring my talent," he said.

Dolan said Walsh did a good job of making the trade with the Nuggets and made it sound like his job as president was secure.  "We wanted to wait until the trade deadline before talking about his [Walsh] contract which ends in JUNE!"  Emphasis on June was Dolan's.

Tonight, the new Knicks' Big 3 heads onto the Garden floor for the first time as teammates in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

There have been too few big moments at Madison Square Garden in recent years.  First, it was Stoudemire, now comes 'Melo.

For once, it's one big happy family at the corner of 33rd and Seventh Avenue.

Asbestos Scare Postpones Knicks-Magic Game

By Tony Mangia

Tuesday night's NBA game featuring the New York Knicks against the Orlando Magic in Madison Square Garden was postponed after hazardous materials fell into the arena last night.  The Garden will not open until all the debris is removed.  Contrary to New York fans hopes, the waste being removed did not resemble in any way, shape or form either Isiah Thomas or owner James Dolan.

Following last night's Ranger game, during overnight maintenance of the Garden, asbestos-related materials were knocked loose from the attic by workers and onto the arena floor.

A statement released by Madison Square Garden said, "Out of an abundance of caution, and consulting with the NBA, we are postponing tonight's Knicks v. Magic game.  We will not open the arena until the Garden is safe."

Earlier, hundreds of disappointed fans were sent home while crews cleaned up inside.  There was no word on how much material must be removed and the estimated time of completion.

"We will be working with the city and independent experts to evaluate and determine the most appropriate course of action," MSG's release said, "As the safety of our customers and employees are our top priority."

The Knicks were hoping to get their first home victory against the Magic who are coming off a tough loss against their Sunshine State rivals, the Miami Heat.

Madison Square Garden advised ticket holders to retain their tickets and get rescheduling information at nyknicks.com. They will announce information about future events as soon as it arrives.

The Knicks next home game is scheduled for Friday against the Washington Wizards.  The next Rangers game is scheduled for Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.