For New York Knicks fans, this is turning out to be another season at Madison Square Garden where the Mecca might as well be the draw.
Because the basketball has been anything but – at least if you are the Knickerbockers.
If it was not bad enough that this is looking like another season to forget in midtown Manhattan, now we have Knicks players putting their feet in their mouths.
Marcus Morris, Knicks forward, in a game with the Memphis Grizzlies had the ball stolen by Memphis’ Jae Crowder. He shot a three-pointer with Memphis leading by 18.
Then – came this. Roll the Knickstape.
“He’s got a lot of female tendencies on the court, flopping and throwing his head back…he’s soft, very woman-like”
– Marcus Morris on Jae Crowder pic.twitter.com/MxtFnKbu3M
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 30, 2020
As of this writing, the Knicks were 13-36 and at the bottom of the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks. Comments such as Morris’ may very well explain why.
The message Morris was trying to get across was unmistakable – he was unhappy with how he feels Crowder handled him in the closing moments of a contest that was well out of reach for New York.
Apparently, Morris forgot that a lot of those “female tendencies” such as intense competition, hard-nosed play and the will to win (among others) exist in the NBA’s sister league – the WNBA. And he forgot that that the WNBA’s flagship team – the New York Liberty – once played for much of its existence in the very same arena the Knicks call home to this day.
Guess who did not forget – a plethora of WNBA luminaries who were not taking Morris’ comments lying down.
FEMALE TENDENCIES WINS GAMES THOUGH
— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) January 30, 2020
“It was disappointing” @DianaTaurasi hopes Marcus Morris learns and grows from the comments he made last night pic.twitter.com/MfGdAWztrE
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 30, 2020
Lmfao THE READ https://t.co/1Kqc0EjNMt
— Imani McGee-Stafford (@imanitrishawn_) January 30, 2020
what about you saying “its a mans game” or “woman like” https://t.co/L1Ow8kNZEA
— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) January 30, 2020
thank you for your apology. It was very hurtful to hear a peer speak about women and the game in that manner. It would mean a lot to see you courtside this coming WNBA season ❤️🏀 https://t.co/0j3JC5LDgo
— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) January 31, 2020
That game, by the way, was not exactly MSG’s finest hour either – as shown by reports that the showers in the visiting locker room were not working and a crowd of “Sell the Team!” chants drowned out by loud music.
In fairness to Morris, after realizing how deep he put his foot in his mouth, he had this apology via his Twitter.
I apologize for using the term “female tendencies” I have the upmost respect for women and everything they mean to us. It was a Heat of the moment response and I never intended for any Women to feel as though in anyway I’m disrespecting them. Again I apologize with my comments.
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) January 30, 2020
For my comments.
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) January 30, 2020
Those comments occurred after the Grizzlies defeated the Knicks by a final score of 127-106. Memphis, by the way, is faring a bit better than the Knicks are. The Grizzlies are 24-24 and would be the eighth and final seed out of the Western Conference if the NBA playoffs began today.
By the way … someone else also had a response on the subject of “female tendencies.”
THIS IS WHAT 5-17 LOOKS LIKE.!! 😂😂 https://t.co/vDf5cw103m
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) January 30, 2020
AMEN.!! 💯 https://t.co/kq8fYK8O8S
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) January 30, 2020
