Knicks Build Palace

23 jan 2003
Have you ever wondered what a basketball palace would look like?  Cablevision funded a new practice center for the Knicks, Rangers, and Liberty, which may answer that question.  The 105,000 square foot complex opened in September 2002, and is located in Greenburgh, New York.  The building features two basketball courts, a hockey rink, individual training rooms for each team, a state of the art locker room, media rooms, a television studio, a press room, a cafeteria with a high quality chef, and other luxury items.  It is an enormous upgrade from the Knicks' previous training facility at SUNY Purchase.
 The players enter into a gated parking lot filled with fancy cars.  Through a set of doors lies the Knicks palace.  Their lounge is equipped with a high quality pool table, huge leather chairs, and a 42 inch flat screen television.  Players can relax in a comfortable atmosphere after a long practice.  Equally amazing is the Knicks' private theatre.  With 24 seats, the video room is designed so that the players can lounge and view game film or discuss important issues.  Don't think that the entire practice center is built for comfort.  Across the hallway lies a 1,800 square foot weight and cardio room.  There, the players spend time before and after practice working to become stronger.  After lifting, nothing is better than walking down a short hall to a state of the art locker room.  Each player has their own cubby and rolling chair.

  In an effort to help the players remember what team they play for, a Knick logo lies in the center of the carpeted floor!  Next to the locker area is a whirlpool, cold plunge bath, and an aquatic therapy room.  Players can use the underwater treadmill to strengthen their bodies, or rehabilitate from injuries.  The direction of the water current can be controlled in order to target various muscle groups.  And it wouldn't be a basketball practice facility if you didn't talk about the court.  The high ceiling field house has two Garden replica courts.  With a total of eight hoops, players never have to waste time standing around.  The court wouldn't be authentic without a scoreboard and 24 second shot clock.  On the far side of the court is a set of stationary bikes.  The players can ride bikes and still watch practice.  Additionally, Chaney and other organization members have offices with big windows looking onto the court.  What else could a coach ask for?  Perhaps the nicest aspect of the building is the media room.  A quiet wing of the building is designated for sports reporters to write, drink coffee, and watch CNN or ESPN.  When the time is right, the reporters are briefed and then brought into the practice for interviews. 
 Now that the features of the practice center have been described, the intelligent question is shouldn't the Knicks focus their money on bringing in players?  However, Cablevision has made it clear that they are willing to open their pocket to make the Knicks a better team.  Does this really make the team better?  "I hope so," said GM Scott Layden. "Look, these days, basketball is an all-year business. It requires a full-time commitment. So if you are a serious player who is serious about his business, you can't help but get better by spending more time on your work. We wanted to create the best possible professional experience for our athletes.  We wanted to create a culture of success. And to make a home-away-from-home for the guys. And who knows? This can't hurt in our efforts to improve the team, to recruit top free agents, either."  Hopefully Layden is right and the Knick play will improve through the practice center.  Either way, there is no denying that it is an amazing facility.

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