http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ern/060216
Some extracts:
BS: So were you watching when the Artest melee happened?
DS: I actually was.
BS: What was your first reaction? Pick up the phone or just stare in shock?
DS: I said, "Holy [mouths a swear word]." And then I called [assistant commissioner] Russ [Granik] and said, "Are you watching our 'blank' game?" He said no, I said, "Well turn our blank game on, you're not gonna believe it." It was Friday night, 10:45 or thereabouts [sighs] …
BS: What about what's going on with the Knicks right now?
DS: What about it?
BS: Well, they're the signature team in the league. They were your favorite team growing up. You have to deal with Knicks fans all the time here, just on a day-to-day basis …
DS: Separate issue. Everybody, I can't go anywhere in New York without someone saying, "Commissioner, can you do us a favor?" And I say, "Don't ask, I know what the question is." But that's great, it shows that people care about the Knicks. They're an important franchise because all of our franchises are important. But our league went through its greatest period of growth when the Celtics, the Lakers, the Pistons and the Bulls were all doing great. The Knicks were doing better compared to right now, but we've had some down days in New York as well.
BS: When he (Jordan) retired, did you try to talk him out of it?
DS : [Making a face] Noooo. I may look dumb, but I'm not crazy.
BS: What would be bad about you saying, "Are you sure you want to do this? You're in the prime of your career … " I mean, you have a relationship with him, right?
DS: Because I felt one way and one way alone when he retired: "Hey, if that's what you want, you earned it, great! You should have the right to do whatever you want to do. Whether our business hurts our not, you've made your contribution." And then he went to play baseball and I said, "Great! You want to try do that, that's terrific, too." And then he wanted to come back, so, "OK, why not?"
