History has a weird way of repeating itself, remember 16 years ago when the Knicks were serious championship contenders? Well if you don't it was the 93-94 season and MJ semi-retired and the Knicks were undoubtedly the number 1 team in the East. The floor generals name back then was a guy named Glen Rivers, most know him now as the coach of the beasts from Bean-town(Celtics). So anyway Doc gets hurts late in the season that sits him down for the remaining games and the Knicks were in a Point Guard situation.
Derek Harper to the rescue:
The Knicks make the trade with the mavericks for Harper in exchange for Tony Campbell and a 1997 first-round draft pick. Campbell, a 10-year 6-7 journey-man guard, was known for his offensive explosiveness and quick hands.
Most know the story after this, Knicks immediately gel with Harper and advance all the way to the NBA Finals. We retained Harper services in the twilight of his career, but he was the perfect ingredient to the mix. He added the best leadership any General Manager/Head Coach could have dreamed of at that point of the season.
Billups to the resuce?
We all know Chauncey's story, Drafted third overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics then traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kenny Anderson midway through his first season. Just check Wikipedia for the rest.
Billups was the perfect leader for the Pistons in there 2004 championship run, his balance of patience and timily shooting was all they needed to push past the over-taleted Lakers. The current Knicks had a rising star in Raymond Felton but recent slip in play and desperate need for Carmelo Anthony made Felton another victim to the trial and tribulations of the NBA business.
The similarities of Billups and Harper are uncanny, for starters they look just alike! There game is extremely similar, great shooters and crafty defensive play. Billups shooting surpasses Harpers but Dereks defensive was far more superior.
Hopefully for Knicks fans Harper can rescue this team the same way Harper did back in '94.
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