Xavier McDaniel recalls almost starting a fight with Dennis Rodman in the 92 playoffs: “I was really going to try and take him out”

Xavier McDaniel was best known as a temperamental player who would not back down from anyone. During his prime, he was involved in many skirmishes, standing his ground to show he would not be bullied by anyone.

One such incident happened in the 1992 NBA first-round meeting between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons. The 'X-Man' ended up in New York after he was traded by the Phoenix Suns in October 1991.

Given his style of play, McDaniel was considered a perfect fit for Pat Riley's brand of physical basketball. However, the Wichita State product struggled to blend in during the regular season. Casting further doubt was Xavier's decision to exercise the $500,000 buyout option of his contract after the 1991-92 season.

Riley, Ewing ignite X

Initially, it appeared this move contributed to the inconsistent performances of the fourth overall pick of the 1985 Draft. However, those were put to rest when McDaniel suddenly broke out in the playoffs against the Pistons.

Riley and Knicks center Patrick Ewing were baffled although both held long talks with the 6-foot-7 forward. It appeared that lit a fire in McDaniel and New York found a key element in their playoff drive. McDaniel was a crucial figure in that series. He averaged 19.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, which was far better than his regular-season averages of 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.

Beyond the numbers, McDaniel also showed he would not get pushed around. He showed that in Game 3 when he almost went after Dennis Rodman after 'The Worm' gave him a push underneath the basket. Thankfully, teammate Charles Oakley was around to restrain him.

"I'm glad that Oak and them grabbed me because I probably would've gotten kicked out. I was really going to try and take him out, because I thought he tried to take me out," McDaniel said via the New York Times at the time.

It was one of many altercations that happened in the series. McDaniel and company were ready for it, knowing the physicality would continue. New York held up perfectly, eliminating the Pistons in five games. Unfortunately, the best New York could do was reach the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, bowing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.

Big Pat's advice to X

After wrapping up his tenure with the Knicks, McDaniel was left in a conundrum. Even though he picked up the buyout option, he considered staying in New York because of Ewing. One team that was interested in getting X was the Boston Celtics. However, he was a bit hesitant. He talked to Big Pat, who gave him some sound advice about the future of his career and what he needed to do.

"Patrick was like, 'If there was any chance they were going to take care of you, they would have already done it.' He told me I should go and do what's best for me," McDaniel said.

Although Celtics executive vice president Dave Gavitt said McDaniel wasn't a fit, Xavier brought in something different. The South Carolina product spent three seasons with the Cs but hardly got the playing time from coach Chris Ford.

He would try his luck overseas with Greek club Iraklis Thessaloniki in 1995 and returned to the NBA with the New Jersey Nets in 1996. He hardly stood out with the Nets, the player most remember him to be. He would retire from competitive ball after the 1998 season.

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