Walt Frazier: A Final Garden Party, 1979

[Our last blog post focused on Walt Frazier in his expanded role as the veteran leader of the New York Knicks in the mid-1970s. This post jumps ahead to Frazier’s waning NBA years in Cleveland leading to his humbling release. No need for a long intro. Frazier’s body of work speaks for itself. So, let’s jump right in with Frazier on the mend in Cleveland, literally and figuratively, and anxious to reclaim his all-star credentials. At least that was his hope. What follows was published in the Cleveland Press on September 13, 1979 under the byline of Doug Clarke, then one of the finest sportswriters in town.] **** Well, The Man’s back. Says he wants to play some ball, too. He walked into the Cavaliers’ office today, shook hands for the first time with coach Stan Albeck, and everything was cool. Surely, Judge Crater cannot be far behind. For much of the past two years, people have been working on mysteries without any clues as to the whereabouts of one Walt (“I’m no longer Clyde”)…