The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are poised to revive their rivalry in their first playoff series since 1989, promising a matchup rife with on-court battles and lively banter online.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre has already sparked some early trash talk, particularly targeting the celebrity fans often spotted in the front rows at Knicks games.
“The fans are pretty crazy. They have a really good culture of being wild and loving basketball to the root and the core of it. They call it the Mecca of basketball for a reason. The lights are super bright. They’re going to give celebrities those $100,000 free tickets just to be there and not care about the game, but that’s what they do. It’s going to be super fun and I look forward to it. It’s one of my favorite places to play,” Kelly Oubre Jr. said.
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As a fervent Knicks supporter, I can’t help but take Oubre’s comments personally for our celebrity fans. Unlike the celebrity scene in Los Angeles, our stars, from Spike Lee to John McEnroe, Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, and Jerry Ferrara, are deeply engaged in the games.
Madison Square Garden is sure to be buzzing this Saturday evening for Game 1 at 6 PM ET. The Knicks’ resurgence after years of struggles has reignited the city’s passion, reinforcing New York’s identity as a Knicks stronghold.
With ticket prices starting at $300 for the cheapest seats early Saturday morning, expect an electrifying crowd, including possibly a few celebrities ready to return some playful jabs at Kelly Oubre Jr.
