Howard Cross Talks Life After Football

What's The 411 TV correspondent, Andrew Rosario, interviews former NY Giants tight end Howard Cross at the 2nd Annual John Starks Bowling Fundraiser.

John Franco gives his perspective about the Wilpons' predicament in this post-Bernie Madoff environment.

He also shares his outlook regarding the NY Mets new season. In addition to going to Mets spring training, Franco also plans to hang out with his son who plays second base for Brown University.

NY Knicks assistant coach Herb Williams checks in with What's The 411's Andrew Rosario at John Starks' celebrity bowling tournament.

The two talk about the new makeup of the New York Knicks, the effects that trade rumors have on a team, and how it was for Williams, a former player with the New York Knicks, to play with John Starks.

When coming out of the subway, it's not too hard to gaze the skies and marvel at how tall the buildings are or wonder why there's a food vendor on every corner and at the end of every block. It's also fascinating to observe how much of a melting pot this place is and pondering where did all of these people come from? That place is Manhattan, NY, New York City, the city that never sleeps. NYC grants you a reason to stay out beyond your bedtime due to the nightlife, the bars, the restaurants, the sights and monuments, but just maybe, maybe the reason you haven't arrived home yet is because you are attending a New York Knicks game, the professional basketball team that calls the Mecca of Basketball, Madison Square Garden, on 33rd Street home.

There's no place like the Garden when it's rocking with the intelligent basketball minds from Wall Street brokers to social workers. I believe the Garden hasn't really erupted since the 1990s during the Patrick Ewing era. Remember when former Knicks Forward Larry Johnson executed a four-point play on the Indiana Pacers during the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals, ultimately winning that game and advancing to the 1999 NBA Finals? The Knicks ultimately lost to San Antonio Spurs or most notably "The Dunk". How about a series of events that ended in guard John Starks dunking over sg Michael Jordan among others in Game 2 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals against the Chicago Bulls?

Those nights are cemented in NBA history and have little chance of duplicating themselves in the near future, but there is a chance that this current arrangement of what is the New York Knicks can have the garden partying like it's 1999, whatever that means. Last season featured one of the best Knicks seasons that they have had in quite some time, garnering many accolades courtesy of their personnel. SG J.R. Smith won the Sixth Man of The Year Award. The Knicks captured the Atlantic Division Crown and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference winning 54 games. The orange and blue team advanced to the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs where they eventually lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games, previously defeating the Boston Celtics in the first round in six games. In a season where several accomplishments were attained, many would expect that those same accomplishments would translate to the postseason which is an entirely different season and one that the Knicks are still adjusting to and acclimating themselves to even though with the injuries that plagued the Chicago Bulls, and the Celtics presented a clear shot to the Eastern Conference Finals that the Knicks did not take advantage. In a couple days the 2013-2014 NBA campaign begins for the Knicks who will enter this season with a number of questions regarding the expectations attached to their organization which are: Can this team actually win a championship?

I have the answer, and sadly it's No, take it and receive it. With the way this team is constructed I believe the Knicks will have a hard time stopping elusive and quick point guards on the perimeter from penetrating the paint due to the lack of athleticism on the perimeter excluding from that group 3rd year shooting guard Iman Shumpert and former Sixth Man Of the Year J.R. Smith, the enigma. There's no doubt that the new additions of forward Metta World Peace, center Andrea Bargnani and the 2013 first round pick of the Knicks in guard Tim Hardaway Jr. should all aid the Knicks in their individual strengths, but that's not the issue.

The Knicks have more questions regarding their overall makeup than a five-year-old yearning to explore the world so let's start here: Will we see a more organized and balanced offensive attack this season? The "Melo offense", courtesy of star forward Carmelo Anthony makes me sick, which is an indictment on the personnel of this team and the coaching staff, which leads to my next question: Can Head Coach Mike Woodson duplicate the season he delivered last season? The Knicks won 54 games and captured the Atlantic Division crown the previous season for the first since guard Michael Jordan announced his initial retirement (Shaking My Head), which means he is definitely earning his pay but with a vastly improved Eastern Conference as well as the other team across the river threatening their rights to the heart of New York, he is on the hot seat. Here's another one: How will these lineups work? Do you want to go with a more defensive lineup and start World Peace along with Shumpert, Chandler and the obvious mainstays in pg Raymond Felton and Anthony? Or would you rather a shootout starring, cover your eyes, Smith in the starting lineup along with Felton, Bargnani, Anthony, and Chandler? Can forward Amar'e Stoudemire remain healthy throughout this season and contribute? Whether he plays or not, we should all thank Stoudemire for electing to choose the Knicks that 2010 offseason for reshaping the culture that haunted the Knicks for the duration of an entire decade, because without the signing of Stoudemire, there is no Anthony, but there's a title on the line and the addition of Stoudemire and his offensive skill set down in the low post pushing Anthony to the perimeter could do wonders for the Knicks. Are there any other point guard options? The only time Anthony advanced to any conference finals and in his particular career the Western Conference Finals was in the 2009 postseason against the Los Angeles Lakers when he played alongside pg Chauncey Billups, a 5-time all-star, an NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, and a 2-time NBA All-Defensive Second team finalist. Felton is solid but he does not measure up. Okay, front office, figure out.

Lastly, this message is directed at Anthony on behalf of all New Yorkers: we adore your scoring prowess but we would really appreciate it if you blended yourself within the offense in the first three quarters and then take-over the fourth because the game is not won in the 1st through 3rd, it's done in the fourth. Let's get creative, act as a decoy, call for picks, work off screens, and hit the open man when you see it fit to do so and upon the fourth quarter, explode because you are "Melo". If the Knicks can locate all of the items on their scavenger hunt, they will get their wish and possibly challenge the Miami Heat but until then as we observe this season, let's just hope the Knicks can find the various fans and cooling checkpoints to survive the humidity as only they can change the weather forecast for oh so satisfying comfort.

VIDEO: John Starks talks basketball, Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, and his bowling skills

In his first interview with What's The 411TV, John Starks talks to Andrew Rosario about his educational foundation, what Denver Nuggets (NBA) small forward Carmelo Anthony would mean to the New York Knicks, his memorable dunk over Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan and Horace Grant in Game 2 of the 1993 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, and of course, his bowling skills.

WATCH JARED'S INTERVIEW

Everyone knows Jared, the guy from the Subway restaurant commercial.

Well, Jared Fogle opens up to What's The 411's Crystal Lynn on the red carpet at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament about how he really feels when people call him Jared from Subway and his relationship with Justin Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy.

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Jared Fogle, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: included: Justin Tuck; Vivica A. Fox; Jason Kidd; Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; Jeanette "Black Widow" Lee; and former New York Knicks John Starks.

WATCH VIDEO: Meeka Claxton formerly of Vh1's Basketball Wives

Watching What's The 411's Crystal Lynn and Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives, talk on the red carpet, is like eavesdropping on two girlfriends catching up.

They talk about everything from fashion to Meeka's upcoming book and e-book series to being engaged to marriage to careers, and Justin Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy Celebrity Billiards Charity Tournament.

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Meeka Claxton, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox; former NBA Basketball Player, Jason Kidd; actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

WATCH VIDEO: John Starks

Former New York Knicks Guard John Starks helped out a fellow athlete on one of the hottest days of the year so far in New York City when he attended Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament.

Starks weathered the heat and took a moment to speak with What's The 411's Crystal Lynn about why he's supporting Justin Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy.

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to John Starks, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: included: Justin Tuck; Vivica A. Fox; Jason Kidd; Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; Jeanette "Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

WATCH VIDEO: Jason Kidd

Justin Tuck, a defensive end for the New York Giants, hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York tri-state real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson. The tournament winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

What's The 411's Crystal Lynn spoke with New York Knicks Guard Jason Kidd, about his support of Justin Tuck as well as his favorite authors of children's books.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Jason Kidd, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox; actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

Vivica A. Fox explains why she supports Justin Tuck’s literacy initiative, R.U.S.H. for Literacy

Actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox, checked in with What's The 411's reporter, Crystal Lynn on the red carpet at New York Giants Justin Tuck's annual Celebrity Billiards Tournament. With a little hilarity, Vivica ribs Crystal Lynn about her fashion question, as she was expecting the first question to be about Justin Tuck's literacy initiative. In true Vivica Fox form, she made clear her expectations about how she wanted to finish the tournament, the importance of Justin Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy initiative and at the end, Vivica poses and gives a shout out to a New York City police officer who was standing by taking photos.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Vivica Fox, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; former NBA Basketball Player, Jason Kidd; actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

Justin Tuck's annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York tri-state real estate operating company, was held on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.