If you’re a New York Knicks fan, you probably know some of Walt "Clyde" Frazier’s best lines by heart.
“Swishing and dishing.” “Movin’ and groovin’.” “Shaking and baking.” “Spinning and winning.” “Posting and toasting.”
One of Frazier’s better lines wasn’t delivered on an MSG telecast. It was in a commercial for the Just For Men hair-coloring line.
Frazier delivered the line in an ad with Mets announcer Keith Hernandez. The duo announced on Monday that they are back together for a new campaign for Just For Men that includes a contest on social media to find the best facial hair.
So Frazier took a few minutes to answer some questions about facial hair and the Knicks (and yes, we asked about Mike Woodson’s goatee).
Q: Who has the best facial hair on the Knicks?
A: “I'm trying to think, man. Maybe Melo? It would have been J.R. [Smith] but he's gone now. So I think maybe Melo tries to grow a little."
Q: Did you help Mike Woodson with his impeccable goatee?
A: Woody had it going on. Always well-groomed, colored. That's what we're looking for with this contest. We do a lot of stuff like that so it's going to be fun. [We'll be judging] the creativity, the stylistic ways that people grow beards.”
Q: What did you think of what the Knicks did this offseason?
A: I think $30 million obviously doesn't get you what it used to. So I think they did the best they could with the hand they were dealt. So they had an option: try to get superstars or try to build like Atlanta has done without superstars -- like Toronto, like Washington. Some teams in the Eastern Conference have had success with that. So I think that's what their game plan is right now: Try to get some good players and then maybe later on try to get a superstar.
Q: The Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis, a guy who is a couple years away from being able to help you win night in and night out. Then there's Carmelo Anthony, who is 31 and here for another four years. How does he fit in because it seems like they are looking at a future that might not fit within his window?
A: I'm sure Melo wasn't happy. His future is now. You know, he’s not getting younger. This is going to be a pivotal season for him to see really how he fits into the Knick plans and how this is going to go from here. Will he ask out, you know what I mean, if he sees that this is not happening? Because right now the Knicks, [it's] going to be tough to make the playoffs. They are a few years away and Melo knows that his days are numbered, so stay tuned.
Q: What did you see, if anything, that was different about the Knicks' offense during the summer league compared to what you saw last season?
A: Sometimes in summer league they weren’t using the triangle and they seemed to have better continuity. When they go to the triangle they seem to be more methodical, apprehensive. So that’s what the coaching staff has got to work out.
Q: Do you think that sticking solely with the triangle, as the Knicks did last year, would work if they weren’t as methodical or do you think it’s wise to work in some pick and roll to speed things up?
A: You’ve got to have versatility, especially with the guys that they have. They’re not as adept as the guys Jackson has had in the past. If that’s not working, you’ve got to go to Plan B.
Q: What did you think of Knicks rookie Jerian Grant in summer league?
A: Initially, I didn’t like the [Tim] Hardaway trade. But now because of the acquisition of Grant, [I liked it]. You’ve got to give to get and we definitely needed a point guard so I think that was a good move.
Q: Can Grant be a solid contributor, a regular rotation guy as a rookie?
A: I think he’s going to start for the Knicks. It’s inevitable.