The Zander Hollander Complete Handbook of the 1988-89 Knicks

Before the internet, in the 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s — as a basketball fan I couldn’t wait each October for the Zander Hollander Complete Handbook of NBA Basketball to be published and be available in bookstores.

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.

He also provided statistics for each player, a scouting report on players just drafted, and predictions — a complete handbook.

Analysis of Zander’s Knick Analysis

I’m providing a sampling of the 1988-89 Handbook — the pages for the Knicks team — under Fair Use doctrine of Copyright law, and with perfect hindsight, will analyze Zander’s analysis.  The 1988-89 Knicks were the Knicks of Rick Pitino — about to be dubbed The Bomb Squad.

The Knicks had a front line of:  Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley (whom they had just acquired), Kenny Walker, and Sidney Green.

In the backcourt there was: Mark Jackson, Trent Tucker, Gerald Wilkins, Johnny Newman, and rookie Rod Strickland.

Rick Carlisle was also on this team. He got a full bio!

Time Machine

On the next few pages we present this time machine — again under Fair Use doctrine of Copyright law — we provide a screen shot and provide our analysis of Zander’s analysis:

Reprint provided under Fair Use doctrine of Copyright law.
Reprint provided under Fair Use doctrine of Copyright law.

 

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