Knicks and Nike Reach Down to Grass Roots

"This is a fantastic event," NIKE representative Gerry Erasme agreed. "A great opportunity for kids to get topnotch instruction and receive the extra treat of meeting some stars."

The grassroots reached down to over 200 kids, aged 5-14, who gained their opportunity to participate in the clinic through the NIKE Pee Wee Kirkland "School For Skills", the Frederick Douglass Childrens' Aid Society, the Urban Dove High Riser Program, or "the Internet," proud Dad Lee Hagood said. "We just looked for something so my son Dante can become more active and found this clinic listed on the Internet." "That's Dante right there," Hagood points to an enthusiastic 8-year old with a tiny tummy protruding his sky-blue NIKE tee shirt. "The kid who wants ice cream for breakfast."

Indeed, whether you were a serious hoopster attempting to get even more serious, a little ice cream-y kid wanting to become more active, or a Knick fan wanting to meet some players of the past and present, this clinic was for you. The coaches, teaching fundamentals at 14 stations around the enormous gym, were all the same superbly qualified college/high school coaches who are the counselors in the annual Knick Basketball Camps. Ex-Knicks Johnny Newman, Charles Smith, and John Starks, as well as onetime Liberty center and soon-to-be-mom Kym Hampton (after all, this was a Mother's Day Clinic), circulated from station-to-station, their knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine love for the game boosting the kids' spirits even higher.

"I love to do camps," said Newman. "I love kids -- and I love to work with kids. I have a son, Gion, he's thirteen and he's a player. He's a shooter -- he's got Dad's genes, I guess."

In the meanwhile, New York playground legend Pee Wee Kirkland arrived -- then a very tall Knicks center Dikembe Mutombo showed up as well, with his very tiny son in tow. "My name is Jon-Jon, " the little guy told everyone. "And I'm three years old."

"Did you get to say thank you and Happy Mother's Day to your Mom today?" Mutombo asked the gathering kids. "They are the reason we're here today. You know, in clinics such as this, you don't just learn about basketball but about people, respect and self-discipline as well. In fact, you learn every day you are on this planet. You must realize how fortunate you all are, being surrounded by all these people who love you and care for you. Not everyone is as lucky as that. And though you see all these young players entering the NBA these days, even their careers will end one day. There's life after the game. So listen to your Mom, your Dad, your teachers, your coaches, learn whatever you can from them. Even Michael Jordan is not playing any more. You know what he's doing now? He's using his head."

A hilarious, yet highly informative, question and answer session followed. "Do you need to have a Ph. D. to play in the NBA?" the first kid asked. "No, but whatever you do in life, you need an education," answered Smith. "Not all of you will make it to the NBA. But the work ethic you learn here will help you to be successful in life." "How do you handle the pressure on the court?" "By the time I get on the court, I feel no pressure," answered Mutombo. "Maybe beforehand hand I do, just a little bit. But once you're out there, you're only thinking about winning the game." "Why do kids get thrown off college teams if their grades are low?" "It's to urge them to get an education," said Deke. "What was it like to grow up in another country?" "We were very poor," answered Mutombo. "But my Dad was educated and we knew that the way to a better life was to get an education. I originally came to the U.S. to go to medical school and become a doctor."

"What does it feel like to block a great player's shot?" "I love to block ANY shot," smiled Deke. "They all feel great to me. I always wanted to be remembered as one of the best defensive players in the game. And I'm proud I have accomplished that." "What is the most important part of the game?" Ball handling," said Kirkland. "You can't all be as tall as Deke here. But ball handling will get you anywhere." "How do people 6-foot tall slam dunk?" "Well, I was 6-foot tall and I slam dunked," smiled Kirkland. "Conditioning is the most important thing. I had legs. I ran ten miles every day."

The last question was for Mutombo. "Why did the Knicks lose to the Nets?" "Because Dikembe Mutombo didn't play," a smiling Deke replied to huge applause.

The afternoon ended with a shooting contest -- everyone got a prize, the winners an expensive NIKE shirt -- and hotly contested full court games. "Man, this was fun," fourteen year-old Anthony Rivera said afterwards. "I was thinking of trying out for my school team. But now I think I will be the STAR on my school team."