By Hunter Walker 11/26/12 5:18pm

Sports Page

Jumaane Williams (Photo: Facebook)

Jumaane Williams Describes How He ‘Grappled’ With Whether To Be a Knicks or Nets Fan

Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams is one of the biggest Knicks fans in City government and, though he said he had a personal “struggle” over whether to back the newly-arrived Brooklyn Nets, he’s sticking with his team. Mr. Williams revealed his decision to Politicker when we asked him about Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’s statement earlier today that Brooklynites who “support, cheer or root for the Manhattan Knicks” are “treasonous.”

“It’s something I’ve grappled with….It’s very, very tough, but I think I’m Brooklyn enough. Nobody can question my Brooklyn-ness, not even Marty Markowitz,” Mr. Williams said. “I’ve decided this fall to take my talents back to the Garden.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 4/01/12 3:23pm

April Fool's

Jumaane Williams (Photo: Facebook)

Jumaane Williams Jokingly Joins The New York Knicks

Jumaane Williams made the best April Fool’s day prank we’ve seen so far this year from any New York politician . The Brooklyn Council member, who has emerged as a sharp critic of the Bloomberg administration since being elected in 2009, issued a prank statement today announcing he was “signed by the New York Knicks to a ten day contract.” Mr. William’s press release claimed he was asked to join the team “shortly following the announcement that starting point guard Jeremy Lin would be out for the remainder of the regular season.”

“It will be far easier to win an NBA championship than to convince Mayor Bloomberg to restore budget cuts to our youth and seniors,” Mr. Williams said. “The Garden may be missing ‘Linsanity’ over the next several weeks, but I hope to bring some ‘Jumaanity’ of my own.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 2/16/12 5:39pm

The Vallone Zone

Peter Vallone Jr. (Photo: New York City Council)

Peter Vallone Jr. Is Unapologetically Politically LINCorrect

Thanks to the ongoing contract dispute between Time Warner Cable and the ownership of the New York Knicks, Councilman and social media enthusiast Peter Vallone Jr. wasn’t able to watch Jeremy Lin play at his house last night. Despite missing the basketball game, Mr. Vallone didn’t lose his sense of humor and he posted a somewhat politically incorrect joke on his Facebook wall this morning.

“so since i cant see jeremy lin on cable because MSG wants a 53% increase, i did the next best thing and took my daughters to applebees last night and had the ‘sizzling asian’ special,” he wrote.

After some of his Facebook friends took umbrage at his remarks, Mr. Vallone refused to back down. He penned a defiant response on the site about an hour ago.

“to the few of you who thought my applebees post was insensitive, i’m sorry…that you have no sense of humor. please de-friend me (i need the space) so you are not traumatized by any future posts. you apparently have me confused with other politically correct electeds,”  Mr. Vallone wrote. Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/16/12 3:36pm

linsanity

(Photo: Getty)

Sorry, Jeremy: Mayor Bloomberg Is Just Not That LINto You

After a press conference announcing a dean for the city’s new tech campus, Mayor Michael Bloomberg fielded multiple questions about his enthusiasm level for New York Knicks sensation, Jeremy Lin.

Mr. Bloomberg was hardly enthusiastic when asked whether he’s in the throes of the famous “Linsanity” gripping fans throughout the five boroughs.

“Do not own a sports team, that’s my only advice,” he concluded after comparing the Knicks most recent records to the Nets’.

The same reporter persistently asked Mr. Bloomberg about Linsanity later in the press conference. As she threw out the question for the second time, Mr. Bloomberg playfully quipped, “Way to go.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 2/16/12 3:25pm

The Quiet Man

Larry Seabrook (Photo: Facebook)

Larry Seabrook Doesn’t Want To Talk About His Trial

Federal prosecutors are preparing to retry Bronx Councilman Larry Seabrook in June on charges of bribery, money laundering and fraud after a mistrial in December. In the meantime, Mr. Seabrook doesn’t want to talk about the case against him.

“Oh, I’m not going to talk about that,” he told The Politicker after Comptroller and likely 2013 mayoral candidate John Liu’s State of the City address at City College today.

However, our conversation with Mr. Seabrook didn’t end there. Read More

By Hunter Walker 2/16/12 12:43pm

Sports Page

John Liu

John Liu Isn’t Immune To Linsanity

Embattled Comptroller and likely 2013 mayoral candidate John Liu started off his State of the City address today with a “shout out” to pioneering Chinese-American New York Knicks phenom Jeremy Lin.

“I’d like to give a shout out to someone who is not here in body, but he’s on everybody’s minds, a guy who’s been carrying the Knicks for the last couple of weeks; Jeremy Lin,” Mr. Liu said to a huge round of applause. “A Harvard graduate, he’s on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the guy gets great headlines in the New York Post. I’ve got to get some tips from him.” Read More