Tonight on the exact 56 year anniversary of their first crown, the New York Knicks bid for a commanding (3-0) “quarters” lead at Philadelphia vs the 76ers.
The previous five Sixers/Knicks ‘offs series went to the team with home “advantage,” who also won the series opener. Three were sweeps, two in best of 5 prelims.
Elsewhere in the East, top seed but not conference favorite, (the Knicks are), Detroit (Pistons) held serve, covered both and lead Cleveland (Cavaliers) (2-0).
Top ranked and defending champion Oklahoma City (Thunder) covered and all teased in the first two high priced spreads vs the Lakers, while San Antonio ripped Minne (Timberwolves)in #2 after Minne’s 2 point win in their “quarters” opener.
Below from the ’68 “Quarters,” Celts’ #6 clincher at Detroit (Pistons).
| Boston Celtics 111, Detroit Pistons 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 35–25, 30–31, 24–23 | ||
| Pts: John Havlicek 31 Rebs: Bill Russell 23 Asts: John Havlicek 12 | Pts: Dave Bing 44 Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 14 Asts: Dave Bing 4 | |
| Boston wins series, 4–2 | ||
Also in “late, (not) great ’68, Philly also in 6, vs the Knicks in their “quarter.”
The Carolina Hurricanes, nee Hartford Whalers, whose lone crown was attained in 200″6″, took a commanding (3-0) “quarters” lead with a (4-1) win at Philadelphia (Flyers) last night.
Meanwhile the top ranked Colorado Avalanche, nee Quebec Nordiques, whose first of three titles came in 199″6,” won both home tilts and lead Minnesota (Wild) two games to none in their quarterfinal series.
Both “Caro” (wonder if “Raleigh Robin” cares), at (7-0) and “Col” (6-0) are unbeaten thus far in these ‘offs.
Elsewhere, while the Las Vegas Golden Knights/Anaheim Ducks series stands at (1-1), the Ducks getting a split in Sin City, once taboo for sports leagues and now cultivated, with a game 2 win.
The Buffalo Sabres, the lone “quarters” entrant sans at least one title, (only the Minnesota Timberwolves among the eight NBA “quarters” entrants also are sans a title), doubled the Montreal Canadiens (Stanley Cup Champions in 1946,1956,1966,1976 and 1986, also pre NHL won it in 1916, Montreal teams, the NHL Maroons won it in 1926 and the Wanderers (cue Dion, however not hockey great Marcel Dionne) took the prize in 1906) in their at “Buff” opening game.
Frederick Andersen, pictured above, was brilliant in the key game 2 overtime when he stopped the Flyers with them having an edge in play, before Taylor Hall, the 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy winner as NHL “Reg” MVP, won it for “Caro.”
Very likely the ‘Canes will play in a semi-final series for the seventh time, (2-4) in previous such series.
Some comments with maybe follow. Maybe these NHL ‘offs are going to be all Colorado and Carolina, each (6-0) (4-0) at home but, I say though that is a pretty hefty plurality “fave” to be the NHL final match up, much will happen, making it at least a slight struggle for both to get there. Noting Las Vegas, under late season hired coach John Tortorella is up (1-0) vs Anaheim, which paved for Vegas, beating an underachieving Edmonton team in the prelims. Maybe becomes relevant as I remember John Sterling, a superb broadcasting talent, who died days back at age 87.
John Sterling, who once had a “Superstar” “intro” while doing his WMCA sports talk show, (Phil Chenier was one of the superstars and at that point he was close) on which he was so often rude to the callers, perhaps in some cases deservedly so, had quite an ego, told me off once when I asked why are you so pro Nets, by saying “they pay me dumby,” yet the maybe morphs to definite, as he was an exceptional talent, so much better than almost all play by play people today, who put together an incredible career.
I emulated him, not as much as I did Joe Tait or Marv Albert, in doing basketball play by play. All four of us were “on the play,” (Marv Albert wrote telling me I was, exponentially small consolation as …..). Sterling was excellent, though an unabashed “homer,” even distorting, such as during his famed or infamous bdcst of the Nets’ #6 last ABA title clinching win, vs the Denver Nuggets in ’76 (at a point— (Denver’s) Issel walks with the ball, lays it up and in, as an example).
Mr. Sterling was even better broadcasting hockey. He was superb. This past Saturday, the day he fell ill, not to recover, I heard he and Bob Lawrence on a broadcast of game 1 of the best of 3 Isles/Canucks NHL prelim in 1976. Early action, a quick (2-2) and else, with Sterling so good and entertaining.
He was off the Isles’ broadcasts, having seen the team develop, but a great Montreal team was in the way of them winning a crown, before the team’s incredible run of 4 straight Stanley Cup wins in 5 straight final round appearances (’80-’84).
It was near opposite with Sterling and the Yankees, after 4 bad years (’89-’92), sustained excellence, another 4 of 5, that being four Yankees titles (three in a row ’98-2000) from (’96, John’s favorite-2000) and a fifth in 2009.
I made my peace with the man I call “Superstar,” with memories of his comment to me, his being nice when I gave him a fact, his unbelievable “just woke up” voice when I called him at his hotel room around noon, one year when he was with the Braves, actual talk of a pendant he was wearing while on the telecast of a World Football League game. (so many of these leagues that tried, if only Hitler sold some paintings and the USFL succeeded!!) It included “back after the commercial for more talk about John’s pendant.”
There is much more I can write, quickly a young and different voice, Sterling is conducting interviews with Orioles players after they swept the defending champion Dodgers in the ’66 World Series.
Speaking of those Dodgers in that great era (pennants in ’63,’65 and ’66-titles in the first two), John often told the story of L.A. pitcher Don Drysdale, who missed the game, being informed that Sandy Koufax pitched a no hit game. Don’s reply, a question, did we win? The Dodgers light hitting along with great O’s pitching manifested in 0’s for the Dodgers, in that ’66 Fall Classic.
It stops there, but there is more. Most important, the memories good and bad flow. What an impact! What a career! I have to add he and the truly great Mel Allen, reminiscing about past World Series, circa ’77, before broadcasts of Yankees ‘offs tilts, are treasures. Sterling had great talent, memorable broadcasts and MAYBE that is all needed, to tilt John into the win column.
I will resist, in the big ones, Sterling Wins (maybe I did not, but no capital letters Mom).
Click below, watch and hear vintage “Superstar” Sterling calling it with Ernie Johnson Sr. commenting as Rick Camp hits a most improbable game tying home run as part of an unbelievable, rain delayed, eventual Mets win vs Camp’s and Sterling’s team, the Braves, that ended past 4 A.M. the next day July 4 and 5, 1985.
54 years of my memories, both good and bad–tilted very good, regarding the so talented John Sterling, pictured above.
Yet another one more, 56’s (in John’s case 5600 plus consecutive games broadcast, not in the same league as Joe D’s hitting streak of 56 consecutive, but quite a feat. Maybe a shared cup of coffee between them awaits.
Beginning with its so well acted and humorous, different takes on which song the great Bruce Springsteen ought to use as the concert”opener,” right through the end, “American, Italian,” directed by Mike Keller (playing at the Chain Theatre 312 West 36th Street as part of its Factory Series), is intense, humorous and so meaningful, hitting many key points, as though an effective pinball machine.
Written by Anthony P. Pennino, set in 1984-1985, an extended Italian American family/plus one girlfriend with six shown characters, all brought to the audience with excellent performances, goes through and asks questions, regarding some very important life issues.
Those actors are Dante Palminteri, as “Vin,” yes the son of Chazz and in an “apple not falling far,” excellent turn, and all excellent Donovan Counts as first cousin “Gio,” Isabella Bertoni as Vin’s sister “Gina,” Sara Romanello as his girlfriend “Lisa,” Paul Romanello as tough and worse, (thus good acting), father of Vin, “Vincenzo” and Marc Romero, given great concepts by Mr. Pennino, as more sensible Uncle to Vin, and father to Gio, “Frank.”
Family roles, demographics, generational characteristics and responsibilities, segments of great music, yes stereotypes, humor and pathos are all addressed very well, a part of this fine production.
Clicking the link below, enables purchasing of tickets.
The quarterfinal round is set in both the NHL and NBA.
In fact, NHL conference top seeds, Colorado and Carolina have already won very different “quarters” openers, each by 3 goals, the overall top ranked ‘Lanche of Colorado (9-6) vs the Minnesota Wild and the ‘Canes of Carolina (3-0), vs the Philadelphia Flyers.
In ’75: Buffalo “semi’d” Montreal, but Philly repeated as Cup Winners in 6.
Elsewhere in the East, Buffalo (Sabres) and Montreal (Canadiens) will square off. Out West, tonight Las Vegas (Golden Knights) open their “quarter” vs the Anaheim Ducks.
NBA “quarters” begin tonight, and I think you have to pay extra to see the Knicks/Sixers sixth post-season series opener, the opening game winner having won all the previous series.
Yesterday both the East top seed, but not the conference “fave,” Detroit PIstons and fourth seed Cleveland Cavaliers won respectively very easily and fairly easily, vs the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors respectively and will clash in the quarters, say a half year plus after the two cities’ baseball teams met in a 12/8 preliminary type round.
A far more glorious history is recounted in the Detroit Lions’ 3 wins in four NFL title game clashes with the original Cleveland Browns in the 1950’s.
Basketball’s two best teams, but at best, only one can make the final round, the defending champion and top seed Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are huge favorites, too much of such in my opinion, respectively, vs the Los Angeles Lakers, who 6’d Houston (Rockets) and Minnesota (Timberwolves), who are without Anthony Edwards. “Minne” 6’d Denver in the prelims.
The great Bobby Layne “QB’d” two of the Lions’ wins and the one loss vs Cleveland while Tobin Rote, the father of future local New York sports reporter, Rock Rote, was at the helm for Detroit in the last of those clashes and also the last time Detroit even played for, no less won the NFL crown, that in 1957.
Although they did “title” (an NBA high 18th), as recently as 2024 and for both seasons since they were “Tatum-less” in the game in which they fell out of the ‘offs, the Boston Celtics deserve criticism, as does the “attrition a big factor” four best of seven rounds, NBA, for that matter, but not as severely, NHL playoffs.
First, praise for the Philadelphia 76ers, who ended a 6 playoffs series loss skein vs and at Boston, winning #7 there yesterday as they did in a #7 “semi” in ’82, the last time Philly took out Boston (not to dinner or from the library but of the ‘offs).
Now some Knicks/Sixers nee Nationals ‘offs history, as their fourth “quarters” clash begins Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
This will be the sixth Sixers/Knicks playoffs series and the ninth between the franchises as the Knicks and Nationals had ‘offs clashes in the first three possible seasons (’50-’52) and one more in ’59. (The Nats won a best of 3 semi (2-1) in ’50 and a best of 3 “quarter” (2-0) in ’59 while the Knicks took best of 5 “semis” (3-2) in ’51 and (3-1) in ’52).
Prior to the Knicks’ 6 game series triumph in 2024, the last three series contested between these teams resulted in sweeps, the Sixers sweeping the Knicks in 4 straight games in both the ’78 and ’83 “quarters,” the latter in route to their second Philly crown in ’83 (they won one as the Nationals that with the great Dolph Schayes in 1955).
New York swept the 76ers in 3 straight games in the ’89 preliminary round. In that aforementioned 2024 season, the Knicks made it (2-0) vs the Sixers in preliminary series, winning in 6.
By far, the most compelling Sixers/Knicks series, the lone non sweep, was Philadelphia’s 6 game triumph in the 1968 quarterfinals.
Game 3 in Philly where all odd numbered games were or would have been played and the series tied at one game apiece, was a two overtime 76ers win.
It was a costly win, as the 76ers’ great “6th man,” Billy Cunningham (the ’83 team’s coach) was lost for the rest of the ‘offs.
The Sixers were defending champions, having finished a (68-13), ’66-’67 season with a crown, one of 2 won by the great Wilt Chamberlain. They had an excellent ’67-’68 season “reg,” finishing with a (62-20) record.
However, the Boston Celtics overcame a (3-1) semis series deficit vs them and went on to their 10th title in 12 seasons, eventually to be 11 in 13, with the last of that incredible Bill Russell/Sam Jones and other greats era, coming vs the Lakers and their off-season acquisition, Wilt Chamberlain in ’68-’69
A truly great player, Billy Cunningham, is pictured below.
Half (four) of the NBA prelims are over, one, almost shockingly and certainly annoying, has gone “7”, it being Celtics/Sixers for a 11th decisive game, counting two when Philly played as the Syracuse Nationals, while three stand (3-2).
On an incredible, I would think unprecedented (anyone looking it up, please write/type in–oh typing an elective in high school, now look–I would rather it had been trigonometry that did a virtual “180” in importance) night where all 3 active Minnesota teams played simultaneously at times, in ‘offs tilts, the “Wolves” starting significantly later but at the beginning simultaneously, 6’d the Denver Nuggets, preceded by the “Wild” doing same to the Dallas Stars, once the Minnesota North Stars. Topping it off in baseball’s lone night game the Twins made Minne (3-0) winning a mere “reg” game vs Toronto.
In resounding fashion, the New York Knicks often led by fifty points plus and won by such a margin (140-89) to eliminate the Atlanta Hawks in 6 games, the two Knicks losses by one point, and in these times of no income, boy do they loom.
Meanwhile, though Philly is no slouch with a healthy Joel Embid, could their road get major “paving,” as the Sixers, though still pretty big underdogs, get a crack (Liberty Bell, however, while they hype the “250,” at least think about awful things perpetrated by ….) at ending a 6 series loss skein vs Boston.
Best in the West
The two best teams, each in the almost exponentially better Western Conference, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs won their prelims in respectively 4 straight vs Phoenix (Suns)–their 58th season, no crowns going (0-3) all 6 game(s) final round losses—and in 5 games against Portland (Trail Blazers), who did, led by Bill Walton ( memo to Eagle, he won 2 not 3 titles with UCLA) win the ’77 title, their only one in 56 franchise seasons.
All that leaves three (3-2) standing prelims, each with a #6 tonight. Heavy series favorites Cleveland and East top seed Detroit (I cite Cunningham’s 45, Banchero’s same in defeat in #5 and his 80 plus, second only to one Wilt game, that of course when he “dipped” in 100, only because the great player and man, Dave Bing had the Det one game ‘offs scoring mark having hit for 44 in a series ending 6th game vs Boston in the ’68 first series/”quarters”) respectively look to oust Toronto (Raptors) and stay alive vs Orlando (Magic) in road tilts.
Finally, Houston (Rockets) once down (0-3), now (2-3) look to force a 7th Sunday in L.A. vs the Lakers.
Doubt I espouse or fully, even partially understand Ms. Rand’s views. I am struggling reading it but for certain she is/was quite a writer.
Alas, who is Joby Eagle?!!
Other than the 4 game sweeps by the two conference top seeds, Colorado (‘Lanche) vs L.A. (Kings) and Carolina (Hurricanes) vs Ottawa (Sens), NHL teams facing elimination are (4-0) in those games thus far, this ‘offs season.
Telling, perhaps very telling, and certainly evoking history, is that two of those games were Pittsburgh Penguins’ wins vs the Philadelphia Flyers, making the series standing (3-2) Philly, with #6 a home Flyers’ game tonight, but an ominous #7 at Pittsburgh looming, on Saturday.
Four NHL teams have overcome (3-0) series deficits, which of course is what the Pens are hoping to do and the Flyers desperately want to avoid (by the way, I refuse the initials and recall the great Shirley MacLaine expressing her dislike of such usage, the NBA Philadelphia 76ers, huge underdogs in the tilt, won for a second time at Boston, facing elimination last night. Can I “trust” the Celtics, who so often beat my teams, but lost to ones I wanted them to record victories “vs.” , ) two of those series involving “opposite” results and these two teams (the Flyers and Penguins).
In 1975 , the upstart New York Islanders though down 3 games to none in that “quarter,” won game 7 at Pittsburgh (Ed Westfall had the game’s lone goal, Glenn “Chico” Resch was in goal for the Isles and it marked the first of what would be nine Isles semis appearances in ten seasons, missing only in ’78 (Lanny McDonald’s #7/OT goal sinking that).
Conversely the Flyers down three games to none and also (3-0) in #7, vs the Boston Bruins, managed to prevail, that in 2010. The 2026 Bruins avoided elimination winning (2-1) in OT at Buffalo last night, however the Sabres, who as is the case with the Celts, won both road tilts contested thus far in the current series (each now has a #6 such upcoming), still lead the prelim 3 games to 2.
Finally, Edmonton (Oilers) won (4-1) at home last night but trail the Anaheim Ducks 3 games to 2.
The top ranked Colorado Avalanche and East top seed, Carolina Hurricanes completed preliminary series sweeps vs the L.A. Kings and Ottawa Senators respectively, in games played the last two days.
It was a great scene as ‘Lanche players embraced and congratulated the 20 year superb Kings’ player, the retiring, Anze Kopitar after Col’s (5-1) win in #4 yesterday.
Elsewhere, both Buffalo (Sabres) vs Boston (Bruins) and Philadelphia (Flyers) vs Pittsburgh (Penguins) have (3-1) series leads.
’75 anyone? That year, the Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup champions, (they have lost in their five final round appearances since then), by 6’ing the Sabres (0-2) in final rounds also losing to Dallas’ lone title team also in 6 games in ’99).
That ’99 final ended on a very controversial goal by the Stars’ Brett Hull. Last night a surely questionable goal credited to Ryan Poehling, lifted Anaheim (Ducks) (4-3) in O.T. and into a (3-1) series lead, vs the Edmonton Oilers.
Tonight the Utah Mammoth, an expansion team, hosts the Pacific Division “reg” winner, and the team that is the all-time most successful quick (noting another Kings titles winning player, goaltender Jonathan Quick is also retiring) expansion team, Las Vegas Golden Knights (a final round appearance in their first season and a title in their fifth), bidding for a (3-1) series lead at home.
Both the Tampa Bay (Lightning) vs Montreal and Dallas (Stars) vs Minnesota (Wild) prelims are deadlocked at two games apiece with pivotal #5 and a potential decisive 7th game at T.B. and Dallas.
Last night, the four teams in the three current active major North American sports leagues with by far the most titles, all won games, three in varying importance playoffs.
Those teams are both the Boston Celtics (18) and L.A. Lakers (I will waste no time praising Leb James and his outstanding play) with 17 (5 as Minneapolis and 1 during a shortened/neutral floors Covid year) in the NBA, Montreal (Canadiens–their last crown was Canada’s last such, 33 years ago in 1993) with 24 and in baseball, of course, the New York Yankees with 27.
In the NBA, the Warriors franchise in both Philadelphia and the Oakland/S.F. (“there” was a “there” there in Oakland, namely Warriors’ crowns) is next behind Boston and L.A. with seven. NHL: Toronto (Maple Leafs), sans even a final round appearance in 58 consecutive completed seasons (’58-2026—this year somewhat shockingly not even an ‘offs “app”), is next with 11 titles, the same number of crowns, MLB’s second in titles team, the St. Louis Cardinals, for whom I predicted a good season which to some degree they are having with such a long way to go, have attained.
There is a long way to go, certainly in baseball and the winter sports ‘offs as well. It looks as if the Lakers, serious underdogs to Houston in the current prelim, will make the “quarters” at least with a “Leb led” (3-0) series lead.
Boston a huge series “fave” lost #2 at home, but took a (2-1) series lead last night at Philadelphia vs the Sixers.
Montreal, also a pretty big, but not that big, series u/dog has won 2 of the first three tilts vs the team, Tampa Bay (Lightning), that “final’d” them, in the empty atmosphere, Covid year 2020, with all 3 tilts this year decided in overtime.
Finally, though only very early season baseball, the Yankees, off (17-9), notched their seventh straight win, at Houston (Astros) last night. The Astros are (4-0) vs the Yankees in post-season entities (2 ALCS, one div or bastardized round, the other in what was a 5/4, one game entity in 2015).
Cryptic: not belonging?, prayer then (each start for Sandy (Koufax) to pitch a low run game and he so often did) and now (who knows?) a “Glory teams” doctor with far more important things than sports, and a hope his wife Deb and others, do get well soon.
Andy B Sports 