Back in the days before the internet, I cannot tell you how thrilling it was to approach October, the start of the new NBA season, when the new Zander Hollander Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball would come out.
You’d keep checking in the Sports section of the bookstore — which for me was a Barnes and Nobles in Manhattan on 8th Street and Broadway — to see if it had arrived.
And then there it would be — a quick purchase and could not wait to start reading it on the subway home to Brooklyn.
Zander Was On Point & Funny
It was more than a treat — the unique feature was the funny and accurate bios of each player that Hollander provided, which were part scouting report, part standup comedy, but always razor sharp and on the money. Zander pushed the envelope. This type of writing, on sports players, was not available anywhere.
Zander also provided statistics for each player, a scouting report on players just drafted, and predictions — a complete handbook.
Analysis of Zander’s Analysis
I’m providing here a sampling of the 1976 Handbook — the first one I ever bought. I’m presenting the pages for the Knicks team — under Fair Use doctrine of Copyright law, and with perfect hindsight, will analyze Zander’s analysis. The book details the 1974-75 season, with the 1975-76 season about to begin.
The 1974-75 Knicks
The Knicks had won the NBA title in 1972-73, and then had a 49-33 season in 1973-74, after which all 3 of their elite big men — Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, and Jerry Lucas — retired. It shocked the Knick franchise.
NY was left with their elite backcourt of Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe, and a bunch of reserves up front who had to fit into the starter role. John Gianelli was a star in college and a high draft pick for the Knicks — but he was too skinny and spent his career as a decent reserve; NY eventually traded him a few years later with cash for Bob McAdoo (a phenomenal trade).
Phil Jackson showed in 1974-75 that he was a reserve — not a starter. In the off season the Knicks tried to get George McGinnis, and failed. In 1974-75 the Knicks went 40-42.
Zander said the 1975-76 Knicks “as presently constituted, is thoroughly mediocre. Perhaps rookie forward Eugene Short can provide some needed offensive punch. Perhaps Wilt Chamberlain can be lured out of retirement. Perhaps Frazier and Monroe will average 30 ppg apiece. Perhaps the Knicks won’t finish last. Perhaps.”
Zander penciled in on Walt Frazier’s declining defense, but said he was “a great interview” — foreshadowing his Hall of Fame broadcasting career. Of Monroe, Zander said “he always seemed old, anyway, with those arthritic knees and mature face… Still can spin, but doesn’t do it as often” — which is exactly the way I remember Monroe, while watching the Knicks back then. Again Zander nailed it.
On Phil Jackson: “Very intellectual; can even converse with Bradley without an interpreter.” On Bill Bradley: “Limitations exposed without a consistent power forward in other corner.” Exactly what I saw in 1974-75; Bradley wasn’t all that.
The writeups are all pure Zander.
I forgot about John Gianelli’s shot-blocking prowess.
On Hawthorne Wingo: “Migrated to New York like some would-be actress of the thirties.” Funny. Was he referring to Louise Brooks??
On Red Holzman: “Dresses like family undertaker… Appears to have two different suits, one blue and one grey, but has 10 of each.”
Absolutely sad reading the Knicks history below — in that they have not won a Championship since this writeup, 50 years later.
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