Rosen had an explanation. The quote — which Rosen disputes — and the story that serve as the genesis of this Johnson story go back to the early ’90s. Riley was coaching the Knicks still, before he quit in 1995, and Johnson was in retirement. The two liked to talk often, Rosen said, and remained great friends. One night after a Knicks win, they were on the phone — and Rosen said he was on this call, too — while Riley was being driven somewhere. The driver, Rosen said, overheard their discussion and heard something that seemed pretty newsworthy. Wouldn’t it be nice if one day they could all be reunited, Rosen remembers of the conversation. The driver, Rosen continued, then went on to tell the New York Post, which led to a story. “It was nothing more than two friends having a dream, but there was nothing to it,” Rosen continued. “It never grew into anything.”