Vice TV wraps up their Grudge season with an episode on Pat the Rat.
As Knicks fans debate the team’s future and coaching direction, VICE TV’s The Grudge closes its first season with an episode that’s close to our hearts: Pat Riley vs. The New York Knicks. It will premiere Wednesday, June 11 at 10 PM ET—almost 30 years to the day of Riley’s infamous resignation fax.
The series explores some of sports’ most volatile rivalries, from Shaq vs. Kobe to McGregor vs. Khabib. But the finale hits home. For those of us old enough to have lived through it, the Riley years remain a sensitive subject. When Dave Checketts hired the legendary Lakers coach in 1991, little Russell had dreams of Riles leading the Knicks all the way to a championship. And the Pride of Schenectady almost did just that in 1994, when New York lost in seven games to the Houston Rockets.
The frustrated coach asked for full roster control and an ownership stake, a request that Team President Checketts would not abide. In 1995, the Knicks fell to the Pacers in the Semifinals. On June 15, 1995, Riley faxed his resignation, opting to become the president and head coach of the Miami Heat. In his four seasons with New York, he had recorded a record of 223-105.
Vice TV generously sent us an advanced screener of the show. This episode of The Grudge features commentary from Washington Post alum Mike Wise, longtime Miami Herald Heat reporter Ira Winderman, former NFL wideout Steve Smith, Sr., and sports host Rachel Bonnetta. It features punchy narration and archival footage that had already been seared into my soul and passed on genetically to my children.
For those of us who refuse to forgive Pat the Rat for walking out on the Knicks and bringing basketball success to South Beach, there is no new information presented in the show—nevertheless, it’s an engaging stroll down memory lane. For those of you too young to have experienced the Riley trauma firsthand, this is an excellent, concise explanation of why we oldheads still hiss at the name.
The Grudge airs on VICE TV, Wednesday nights at 10 PM ET. Find your local listing or stream online here.