Westchester Knicks Create Fan Base despite struggling in their Inaugural Season

WHITE PLAINS — It was a long season for the Westchester Knicks, who closed out their inaugural season with the NBA’s Developmental League last Saturday with a 101-89 loss to the Canton Charge.

Interim head coach Craig Hodges was unable to muster a win out of his team after taking over the helm with four games left in the season. The Knicks finished the 2014-15 campaign last in the Atlantic Division with a 10-40 overall record, ending the season on a 10-game losing streak.

“No one could have told me that this would be our record,” said Hodges after the season finale. “Where we are as far as our record is concerned, there’s no way I could have envisioned that.”

After former head coach Kevin Whitted was fired in late March, Knicks General Manager Alan Houston promoted then assistant Hodges to coach the team’s remaining games.

Hodges’ championship pedigree and relationship with New York Knicks President Phil Jackson was thought to be the motivation behind the decision, as Hodges won consecutive NBA titles playing for the Chicago Bulls in the early 90s—a team coached by Jackson himself.

However when asked about a potential return to Westchester as next season’s full-time coach, Hodges had no definitive answer.

“I haven’t heard anything,” he said. “If it were my decision, I would definitely be back just from the bitter taste in my mouth,” he added.

Amid the team’s struggles in its first season as a D-League franchise, there were some positives that can be taken note of. On January 7, the New York Knicks called up rookie point guard Langston Galloway, who was Westchester’s leading scorer averaging over 16 points per game.

Since joining the NBA affiliate, Galloway has continued to prove he belongs with the professionals, averaging over 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, in a starting role. “The highlight of the season for me was seeing a young guy like Galloway be able to come through, keep his head on his shoulders, play through adversity, and know the true meaning of being a professional,” Hodges said.

Yet in spite of their performance on the court, the Knicks took pride in the way Westchester County embraced the new franchise, according to Hodges. Playing all 24 of their home games at the Westchester County Center, the Knicks averaged over 1,900 spectators per game—a 90% capacity rate.

“For this to be the inaugural season I feel like that’s a great accomplishment,” said Hodges. “That’s one of the hallmarks of New York and their fan base, that through thick and thin, they show up.”

Looking ahead toward next season, Hodges expressed confidence in the Knicks’ front office and coaching staff, and their ability to recruit players. He praised their ability to find the right complement of players to fit the system, with the ultimate goal in mind to compete for a D-League championship.

“I feel like the fans of Westchester deserve a playoff team,” Hodges said

For more on the Westchester Knicks, visit www.westchester.dleague.nba.com

Photographs:

1) Westchester Knicks Logo. CREDIT: LoHud.com

2) Two-time NBA Champion Craig Hodges served as interim Head Coach during the Knicks’ final four games. CREDIT: NBA.com

3) Langston Galloway, the only Westchester Knicks player to receive a call-up this season, has made his mark playing in the NBA. CREDIT: Nypost.com

4) The Westchester County Center hosted all 24 of the Westchester Knicks’ home games in their inaugural season. CREDIT: stadiumjourney.com