Jim Cleamons: The Weight of Replacing a Legend, 1978

[In October 1977, the Knicks traded their superstar guard Walt Frazier to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Jim Cleamons, a younger floor general. To some in New York, the trade was shocking, like the New York Yankees trading Mickey Mantle. Some players belonged in New York forever, and Frazier was one of them. His mostly stellar 10 seasons as a Knick transcended the usual disloyalty of the sports business. For others, the trade was a must. Frazier had lost his team captaincy last season along with plenty of playing time due to nagging injuries or, worse, coach’s decision. Now age 32, Frazier had lost a step, maybe two, and the Next-Gen Knicks wanted to play at a faster, quicker clip than Frazier’s aching legs allowed. “The deal,” said Knicks general manager Eddie Donovan, “was good for us, and I think best for him.” What Donovan meant is Frazier would thrive in then-lowly Cleveland as the tried-and-true backcourt leader. He would be welcomed as a truth-telling NBA legend who would teach…