Copyright © 2024 by Adam J. Criblez

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. Visit our website at cornellpress.cornell.edu.

First published 2024 by Cornell University Press

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Criblez, Adam, author.

Title: Kings of the Garden : the New York Knicks and their city / Adam J. Criblez.

Description: Ithaca : Three Hills, Cornell University Press, 2024. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2023034138 (print) | LCCN 2023034139 (ebook) | ISBN 9781501773938 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781501774461 (epub) | ISBN 9781501774478 (pdf)

Subjects: LCSH: New York Knickerbockers (Basketball team)—History—20th century. | Basketball—New York (State)—New York—History—20th century. | Basketball—Social aspects—New York (State)—New York. | Hip-hop—History—20th century. | New York (N.Y.)—History—1951-

Classification: LCC GV885.52.N4 C75 2024 (print) | LCC GV885.52.N4 (ebook) | DDC 796.323/64097471—dc23/eng/20231023

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023034138

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023034139

Cover photographs: Above, left to right, Earl Monroe, Spencer Haywood, Walt Frazier, photos © Larry Berman–BermanSports.com, used by permission; Bernard King, Adam Stoltman/Alamy Stock Photo, used by permission; below, left and right, subway car, 1973, photo by Erik Calonius, Environmental Protection Agency; below, center, graffitti artist, iStock.