In an appearance on the Ryan Russillo Podcast, Mike Breen bemoaned that NBA suits have cut back on player access. This reduction, he reasoned, could negatively impact the media covering the league, including the outlets (ESPN, MSG Network) he works for.
The veteran play-by-play voice mentioned how he was once able to gather unique “player” stories to use during a telecast. He could have extended his theme to other NBA personalities who have stories to tell.
Wouldn’t it be informative to hear Knickerbockers’ president Leon (The Sphinx) Rose explain how he reconstructed a team currently playing in the conference finals?
There must be some back-stories surrounding the trades for Mikal Bridges (five first round picks to Brooklyn) and Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, right?
Yet instead of the institutional net cast by the NBA to distance players from the media, Rose instituted a media blackout of one — himself. Actually, Breen is still one of the few mouths to “interview” Rose. It was more a Twinkie Munch.
This is not breaking news. Since James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan anointed him Knicks prez in March, 2020, Rose’s sessions with Boss Scribes have been nearly non-existent. He has not done a solo press conference since Dolan hired him.
Even with his well-earned reputation of impulsiveness, bullying, and a disdain for the media, Dolan has engaged in multiple media sessions during his tenure as Garden boss. Dolan used those meetings, some with his in-house MSG Network, to explain his side of specific controversies.
So, let’s stipulate Dolan has no problem with Rose being media “shy.” Guitar Jimmy likely values the Knicks president’s strategy.
But with the arrow pointing up throughout the Rose regime, the time is beyond right to start defining the Knicks culture publicly by putting the front office face on it. To show the organization, and the man in charge of it, is truly committed to continuity, consistency, and, at least, pays lip-service to the concept of transparency.
No one expected Rose to suddenly appear before the Scribes Wednesday night after his team pissed away a 14-point lead with 3 minutes left in regulation. Yet he could have sent some kind of message in support of his team while at the same time calming any semi-balanced Knicks fans with visions of razor blades dancing through their heads.
On Wednesday morning, in a rare moment on ESPN’s “First Take” analyst Kendrick Perkins (he picked the Knicks to beat Indy in five games) actually mentioned “Leon Rose.” No, it was not a secret word. And no, a rubber duck didn’t fall from the ceiling. And no, Perkins didn’t spend much time talking about Rose, which was not surprising.
Rose’s media strategy is not conducive for making him a topic on the talk shows or inside the Valley of the Stupid. If anything, it will inhibit him for getting the credit he might deserve. Other president/GM-types who don’t totally shut off access will be discussed during good times and bad.
Nonetheless with he and his Knicks enjoying their most successful season in 25 years, this insulated Rose still shows no signs of suddenly blooming in front of a group of media interrogators.
JUAN SOTO NOISE
A funny thing happened on the way to the Knicks/Pacers starting the Eastern Conference Finals.
Juan Soto, the Mets 15-year, $765 million man, was declared a bust — in MAY.
The Valley of the Stupid kept a spotlight on Soto’s un-Soto-like offensive performance and blew it out of proportion. Enter the TV voice of the Yankees, Michael Kay, throwing some melodrama into the Soto Stew, claiming the Mets superstar right fielder is “glum” and moping around the clubhouse.
Then there was more from others who were putting their perception of Soto’s body language into words. Finally, a concrete fact came from the mouth of Mets manager Carlos Mendoza: He said he would talk to Soto about not busting it to first on ground balls in the Bronx and Boston. That made the Soto story official—we guess. And as long as a few Gasbags perceive him to be “unhappy” playing for the Mets, the “story” will linger on.
GIANTS BACK ON HBO
The only chance for the Giants to avoid another appearance in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” was to secede from the NFC East.
Coming off a much-maligned starring role in “Hard Knocks: Off Season,” the team has been selected to participate in “Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East.”
“Hard Knocks: In Season” will debut in December and follow the Giants, Eagles, Cowboys and Commanders down the stretch of the 2025 season.
The Giants front office, was the “star” of “Hard Knocks: Off Season,” but was also criticized for allowing the Free World to get an inside look at how it (aka Joe Schoen) handled Saquon Barkley’s departure to Philly.
ESIASON SHOCKER, ARENAS LOOKS GOOD ON TV & MORE
Surprising Norman Julius Esiason didn’t join the Asylum Choir of Boston Talkies who criticized Red Sox manager Alex Cora for skipping Monday night’s game with the Mets to attend his daughter Camila’s morning graduation ceremony from Boston College. Recently, Esiason criticized Yankees radiocaster Dave Sims work ethic for daring to miss a few games in Sacramento to spend time with his family. Cora defended his decision to put family first, saying: “I made the best decision for my daughter. For those who don’t understand, I’m not going to try and convince them.”……Working ESPN’s NBA inventory of shows, Gilbert Arenas has been a compelling watch. He does not hold back on opinions and handles the TV mechanics smoothly. His Tuesday appearance on “First Take” is a keeper…..This is why Chris (Mad Dog) Russo has been missed doing local New York radio. With Knicks fever sweeping the area, Dog, on his SXM afternoon show, has been critical of their most rabid fans who have celebrated outside the Garden as if they had just won the NBA Championship. This would have put Russo had odds with local Talkies (ESPN-880 and WFAN) who have not gone too deep into the dangers of climbing to top of lampposts on 7th Ave. or getting crushed in a crowd. Dog has…..And what about Mayor Eric Adams naming streets after current Knicks players? A bit premature. Perhaps he thinks this round against Indiana is actually the NBA Finals……RIP “Around the Horn.” Will Woody Paige’s chalkboard be shipped to the Smithsonian?
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: CODY BELLINGER
Just about the time he was being written off by impatient bloggers, Cody Bellinger has established himself as a major contributor to the Yankees offense.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: BILL BELICHICK
How the most accomplished coach in NFL history has become daily fodder for gossip sites and bad jokes is almost unbelievable, surreal too. Bet the coach has more on his mind than the TCU opener.
DOUBLE TALK
What Tom Thibodeau said: “You do what you think gives you the best chance to win.”
What Tom Thibodeau meant to say: “Doing it my way gives us the best chance to win.”
Originally Published: May 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM EDT
