DALLAS — When Walt Frazier was in Springfield, Mass., final May for Mike Breen’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, “Clyde’’ mentioned he by no means imagined he’d quickly be part of his accomplice within the Hall’s broadcasting wing.
Frazier was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987 following a profession as a celebrity Knicks level guard who led them to their solely two championships.
With the announcement over All-Star weekend that he had gained the Curt Gowdy Award, Frazier will turn into the primary to have a spot within the Hall as each a participant and broadcaster.
“When I went to support Mike last year, I never envisioned it,” Frazier instructed The Post on Tuesday. “When Mike went in, nobody was saying, ‘Hey, Clyde, you’re next.’ You know what I mean. Nobody said anything about me in the Hall of Fame. I was totally shocked. What a terrific honor.”
Frazier obtained the Hall name proper earlier than the break when rehabbing his sore again in St. Croix, his longtime second house.
“The guy was telling me we think you’re the first Hall of Fame player to ever be a Hall of Fame broadcaster as well,” Frazier mentioned. “But I used to be in St. Croix. When I obtained again to New York and other people began coming as much as me for the primary sport congratulating me as a two-time Hall of Famer, the magnitude hit me. And on the Garden they gave me an introduction [Feb. 25 versus Miami] individuals stood up. Then I began absorbing what I achieved.
“But I’m still absorbing it. It’s still sinking in. When I heard it, I was shocked. I never worked nationally. I haven’t received hardly any awards for being a color analyst. Obviously it wasn’t one of my goals when I got in the business. It was just a job. It brought me back into the game after I retired in 1980.”
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Frazier began his Knicks broadcasting profession in 1987 — first on radio, then TV with Marv Albert and Breen. Frazier, recognized for his colourful fits and rhymes, will flip 77 on March 29.
And it feels like 80 could be the magic quantity for him to hold up the headset.
“I feel I can work three more years at least, but cutting back on the road,” Frazier mentioned. “My recovery time is not good from the road. I’d like to go to Philly, Boston, Washington. I’ll always still like to be involved with the Knicks with fans like John Starks [the team’s alumni director]. I still enjoy being a positive role model for the youth.”
Frazier’s philosophy as broadcaster is to avoid getting near the Knicks gamers on the highway.
“I try not to be too close to the players,” Frazier mentioned. “If you’re close to players, you can’t criticize them. Most of my relationship with them is when they approach me about [charity stuff]. I’ll do that. But there’s a gulf between us. I have to do my job. I can’t play favorites — if I like a guy and I can’t not say something about him when I should.”
Please see Post Sports+ for the whole lot of the Frazier Q&A on Thursday morning.
