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New York Post
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
The Knicks' Cinderella run even has rival Nets fans donning blue and orange: ‘New York or nothing'
The Knicks fever is hitting the Big Apple with a double 'bang' strong enough to shake even the strongest Nets fans' loyalty. Bars outside the Barclays Center — staunch Nets territory — have been buzzing with anticipation and excitement as the Knicks give the Celtics a run for their money. For many, the reason is simple. 5 Even Nets fans can't resist the urge to cheer on the Knicks this playoff series. William C Lopez/New York Post 'It's New York or nothing,' Perry, a bartender at That Bar on Bergen Street who is suspending his Nets fandom in support of the Knicks this week, told The Post. Friday's Game 6 against Boston could be the determining factor for the Knicks, who will have their chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 — and keep alive the city's dreams of a Cinderella-run straight to an NBA championship. The New York team is up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series against the defending champions, which included two heartstopping back-to-back wins on the Celtics' home turf. But the possibility that the Knicks could beat the Celtics in a playoff series — a feat they haven't accomplished since 2013 — is enough to turn any New Yorker into a Knicks fan this spring — even die-hard Nets fans. 5 Edward Lawrie says everyone should cheer on the Knicks because it's 'all about New York.' William C Lopez/New York Post 'New York all day. During the season, it's Brooklyn only. I'm making an exception for tomorrow because the Nets aren't in it and I am rooting for New York,' said Beaz, 33, a Brooklynite enjoying a drink at BK9 Bar Thursday night. Chari, a Knicks fan drinking with friends nearby, agreed, saying continuing a rivalry amid such a historic time in Gotham would be the ultimate betrayal. 'I feel like it's easy to hop on the hate bandwagon. There's a really good energy in the air right now. Like, New York should just be interested in New York winning, should support the cause,' Charli, of Brooklyn. 5 Colette Reilly says some Nets fans are secretly rooting for the Knicks. William C Lopez/New York Post 'Let the Knicks win, let us win. Nets are not an option. You guys are not even a contender. Let New York win, for the energy, for the culture.' A Knicks win would be momentous for the city, said Cynthia Brown, who was watching the Nuggets game at McMahon's Public House. 'I want the Knicks to win cause I feel like we haven't seen so many people happy right now because New York is so stressful, everybody is going through a lot. 'New York needs this. If they win, they're gonna put a smile on everyone's faces… I feel like the Knicks give people so much energy,' the nurse in her 30s continued. 'I want to experience what my mother saw in 1999 and 2000. I wanna see that ocean of blue on Atlantic Avenue.' Edward Lawrie, 29, emphasized that it didn't matter whether the Knicks or the Nets made it to the playoffs — New Yorkers should be supporting either one. 'It's a New York thing. Tomorrow it's just about New York. If the Nets were playing, I would have gotten a Batman costume and put the Nets across my chest,' Lawrie said. 'That's how much I would have been rooting for the Nets if the Nets were playing tomorrow,' Lawrie, a chef from Harlem, said, calling Friday's game 'sacred.' Still, some diehard Nets supporters haven't been able to completely shake their loyalty — including Chris, who said he was 'very conflicted' on who he should root for this playoffs. 'I'm not going to be sad if Boston wins. That might sound very, you know, not good for Knicks fans. But I mean, I wouldn't be sad if they win,' he said. At the end of the day, however, he conceded he was excited that a New York team was in the running: 'I'm a Mets fan, but if the Yankees make the playoffs, great, it's good for the city of New York. It's fun.' 5 The Knicks have their first chance at beating the Celtics in a playoff series since 2013. Angelina Katsanis But not all Nets fans are willing to openly admit their traitorous ways. Colette Reilly, a bartender at McMahon's near the Barclays Center, says many Nets fanatics come in disguise to cheer on the rival New York team. 'I think the Nets fans secretly still want New York to win because, you know, it's New York, we all want to win. And it's Boston, so why would we not want to beat them?' she said. 'They don't come with, like Nets gear for a Knicks game. No… When the Knicks play it's all blue and orange everywhere. Everyone was all dressed up coming in and all the girls had their blue on and it was a bit of a party going on, so it was fun.' Other basketball fans out in Brooklyn on Thursday adamantly refused to convert to the Knicks fandom out of pure vitriol for the team. 5 The Knicks haven't been to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. William C Lopez/New York Post 'I have friends that are Knicks fans that are annoying, and I do not want them to celebrate, throughout the years, a new championship. I do not want them to win. 'Cause if the Knicks win this series, I believe they will make it to the finals,' said Kahliel of Brooklyn, a Bulls fan and self-identified 'number one Knick hater.' For Cam, 40, he was concerned that the first Knicks playoff win in over a decade would pose a public safety issue. 'If the Knicks win, New York would be Gotham City and we don't need that. So the Knicks will lose the series if they lose tomorrow,' Cam said, adding that he's neither a Nets or Knicks fan. 'There's a lot of hope and a lot of praise for getting to the second round. They're having a great year, but eventually all Cinderellas come to their end, and when it does end, I just hope that they accept that they had a good year and press reset because it's not their time.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Knicks fans go wild outside Garden after thrilling Game 4 win over Celtics
It was a Garden party outside the World's Most Famous Arena as the Knicks took a 3-1 series lead over the Celtics with their 121-113 win in Game 4 on Monday night. The crowd at the viewing party just outside Madison Square Garden erupted as the final buzzer sounded, jumping up and down, with a DJ blaring the Knicks' anthem 'Go New York, Go New York, Go!' Advertisement Fans could be heard singing along to the iconic tune while one supporter waved a giant Knicks flag. Fan reaction to the Knicks win outside of Madison Square Garden. William C Lopez/New York Post Fan reaction to the Knicks win outside of Madison Square Garden. William C Lopez/New York Post Fan reaction to the Knicks win outside of Madison Square Garden. William C Lopez/New York Post Fan reaction to the Knicks win outside of Madison Square Garden. William C Lopez/New York Post A group of fans could also be heard chanting 'Knicks in five!' In another video that went viral, Knicks fans flooded the area outside of MSG, seemingly shutting down Seventh Avenue — though it appeared traffic was still moving on the street. New York Knicks fans shout 'Knicks in five' after a win in Game 4 of Round 2 of the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at a watch party hosted by the Knicks outside of Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025. Getty Images A trumpeteer plays 'Empire State of Mind' as New York Knicks fans celebrate a win against the Boston Celtics in Game 4. Getty Images 'Let's Go Knicks!' chants could be heard as the camera panned around the area, with fans visible as far as the eye could see. Another video showed a man wearing a Knicks jersey playing a trumpet in the middle of a sea of blue and orange fans. Inside the building, the Knicks shared a video of celebrity superfan Ben Stiller jumping up and down and screaming in the back area of Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks fans celebrate a win against the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of round 2 of the NBA playoffs at a watch party hosted by the Knicks outside of Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025. Getty Images New York Knicks fans celebrate a win against the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of Round 2 of the NBA playoffs at a watch party hosted by the Knicks outside of Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025. Getty Images The scenes inside and around MSG are ones that have played out before during the Knicks' playoff run last year and this series against the Celtics. Advertisement 'It was crazy,' Mitchell Robinson said about the home crowd. 'I think it was way crazier than the other playoffs that we'd been in before, but this one definitely No. 1.' New York Knicks fans celebrate gaining the lead in the second half of Game 4 of Round 2 of the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at a watch party hosted by the Knicks outside of Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025. Getty Images New York Knicks fans celebrate a win in Game 4 of Round 2 of the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at a watch party hosted by the Knicks outside of Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025. Getty Images The Knicks are on the verge of doing something that hasn't occurred for the franchise in 25 years. The victory on Monday night put them one win away from their first trip to the conference finals since 2000.
New York Post
09-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Interior Sec. Doug Burgum visits NYC sports complex that risked closure until youth sports parents got involved
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stopped by a Brooklyn sports complex Thursday to celebrate the revival of its ice rinks that almost closed for good until hockey parents pushed the White House to intervene. The Trump cabinet member even rode the Zamboni at the Aviator Sports & Events Center in Midwood as the athletics hub was buzzing with activity – a far contrast from the gloomier prospect it faced earlier this year. 'Being here and seeing the youth here, the youth hockey players that came out tonight, seeing their gratitude because this place was at risk of being closed down,' Burgum told The Post about what made the event so special. Advertisement 4 Doug Burgum drives the Zamboni with Zamboni operator Reginald Devilme at the Aviator Sports & Events Center in Midwood. William C Lopez/New York Post 'We're fighting hard, through the National Parks system, to ensure we keep places like this open for youth like this.' Aviator announced in March that it would be forced to close its complex on Floyd Bennett Field because its lease with the National Parks Service was expiring in April. Advertisement The bad news spurred scores of hockey and ice skating parents into action. They put together a binder filled with photos of their kids and then had the youngsters write out their goals before sending it all to the White House and National Park Service. 'We had parents that actually delivered packages to the headquarters of NPS in person,' one mother, Yana Salerno, said. 'They drove to DC.' 4 Burgum meets with children and parents at the Aviator Sports & Events Center. William C Lopez/New York Post Advertisement The grassroots lobbying worked. The Aviator Hockey and Figure Skating Club revealed late last month it was back in business thanks to working with the park agency and an investment firm, News 12 reported. 'I can't tell you how happy we are,' Salerno said. 'So for the one week that it closed, all the coaches went to different rinks, you know, and we followed. It's like an hour and a half every single day to get to each one of those rings. And it was just awful.' Advertisement 4 The Aviator Hockey and Figure Skating Club revealed late last month it was back in business thanks to working with the park agency and an investment firm. William C Lopez/New York Post 4 Migrants staying at the tents at Floyd Bennett Field have been surrounding the local area, including the Kings Plaza Shopping Center, Jan. 10, 2024. Aristide Economopoulos Salerno's figure skating daughter Michaela said, 'I was crying when I heard the news, crying out of happiness.' The 175,000-square-foot multi-sport facility has faced years of adversity due to COVID-19 closures and the emergency encampment that opened up in 2023 during the Big Apple's migrant crisis. The migrant tent city closed in January and the Department of Interior announced in February that the property could not be used as a temporary shelter. While the ice rinks are reopened and outdoor fields are expected to be used, the gymnastics studios in the building are still closed for now, director of facility Chris Werstine said. 'We're just so grateful that we have been given the opportunity to operate because now we can continue to run our programs, and have access,' he said.
New York Post
03-05-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Heavy rain, flash flooding expected to douse NYC for days — making for another wet boro bike tour
Start building your ark. Buckets of rain are forecast to pour over New York City for four consecutive days starting Saturday night — likely making NYC's 5 Boro Bike Tour riders' fears of yet another wet race a reality. The drenching will kick off around 8 p.m. with a robust round of thunderstorms and strong gusts, which will be strong enough to toss anything that isn't bolted down, forecasters warn. 3 A storm will douse New York City with rain for the next four days. William C Lopez/New York Post 'Today we are under the possibility of severe storms,' Marrisa Lautenbacher, a Fox Weather meteorologist, told The Post. 'If anybody has any like trash bins, anything like loose lawn chairs, etc. — bring those inside.' The heavy rainfall is coming to the metro area from a low-pressure system that has been 'sitting and spinning' over the Midwest and pulling the same moisture from the South that is making for a wet Kentucky Derby. New Yorkers will be able to feel the impending rain all Saturday as the air grows increasingly humid. 3 The system will move in through the metro area starting Saturday evening. The rain will let up Sunday morning, much to the relief of the 32,000 cyclists slated to ride in this year's 40-mile tour around the five boroughs — though the riders will have to be quick if they hope to escape getting wet. 'The bikers are essentially going to dodge the worst of the shower, so it's not going to be like a complete downpour for them — but it kinda gets close towards the end of the race,' said Lautenbacher, referring to the anticipated 2 p.m. event end time. 'It's not completely free and clear from the 7 a.m. start, but the chance of rain will increase throughout the race.' 3 Riders in the 5 Boro Bike Tour could escape the rain Sunday morning. Tomas E. Gaston The rain will pick up again that afternoon into the evening and will not stop until Wednesday, with Monday's rains expected to be the heaviest. As much as 3 inches will fall on New York City through Wednesday coupled with strong, intense gusts, raising the risk of flash flooding. Although daunting, the heavy rain will bring much-needed relief for the Big Apple, which has been especially dry in recent weeks. Nearby New Jersey has been equally dry, causing a fire allegedly sparked by two teens to quickly spread and engulf more than 15,000 acres in flames. 'We definitely need it. This rain is good,' said Lautenbacher.
New York Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Cops probing threats, harassment against 2 women during protest outside NYC synagogue after vile video circulates online
Police are searching for several men accused of threatening and harassing two women in separate incidents during a protest outside a prominent synagogue in Brooklyn last week, after a sickening video of a group chasing after one of the victims circulated online. One female protester was injured and another woman was subjected to 'vile' threats as she was followed by a crowd of counter-protesters – with the stomach-turning encounter caught on tape – near the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters Thursday night, Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement Sunday, announcing the NYPD probe. The heated clash between anti-Israel protesters and a group of Hasidic Jewish men in Crown Heights took place during an appearance by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at the synagogue — with Adams calling the chaos 'despicable.' Advertisement 5 Several men are accused of harassing two women during a heated protest in Brooklyn. William C Lopez/New York Post 'New York City will always be a place where people can peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence, trespassing, menacing, or threatening,' he said in a statement. Adams said initial reports indicate the female protester was 'harassed by counter-protesters, and suffered injuries' after she was separated from her group. Advertisement A photo captured by The Post shows blood across a keffiyeh-wearing protester's face during Thursday's demonstration. It was not immediately clear if Adams was referring to that same demonstrator. The second woman, who was not a part of the protest, 'was surrounded and subjected to vile threatening by counter-protesters,' Adams said. Footage of the scary situation posted on social media shows the woman, with a scarf wrapped around much of her face, walking with a cop by her side as a mob of men and teenage boys followed closely behind — with some even putting their hands on her and others getting in her face. Advertisement One counter-protester pushed a garbage container over in her direction at one point and a traffic cone was also tossed at the woman's head, according to the video. She was also allegedly kicked, shoved and spat at while the men encircled her. 5 The intense clash was caught on camera. William C Lopez/New York Post Several of the men shouted horrific insults at the woman, including references to sexual assault, the footage shows. She was eventually ushered into a police cruiser by the officer to the cheers of the counter-protesters. Advertisement The woman, who is in her 30s, told the Associated Press Sunday that she was mistaken for an anti-Israel protester after she went outside her home to investigate police helicopters buzzing overhead in response to the protest. 5 The male suspects allegedly made 'vile' threats at one woman and injured another. William C Lopez/New York Post 'As soon as I pulled up my scarf, a group of 100 men came over immediately and encircled me,' said the woman, who did not want to be identified. 'They were shouting at me, threatening to rape me, chanting 'death to Arabs.' I thought the police would protect me from the mob, but they did nothing to intervene,' she added. The woman, who was left with bruises, said she felt 'sheer terror.' 'I realized at that point that I couldn't lead this mob of men to my home,' she said. 'I had nowhere to go. I didn't know what to do. I was just terrified.' 5 A pro-Palestinian protester was pictured being arrested by police during the confrontation. William C Lopez/New York Post After the traumatic chase, the victim, a lifelong New Yorker, said she's afraid to leave her home. Advertisement 'I'm afraid to move around the neighborhood where I've lived for a decade,' she told the AP. 'It doesn't seem like anyone in any position of power really cares.' Police said Oscar Vidal, 28, of Bayonne, NJ, was arrested and charged with assault, criminal mischief and harassment, while Adams noted several more were hit with summonses. It's unclear which assault the arrests were connected to. The mayor said in a follow-up statement that at least one of the women has spoken to officials. 'Hate has no place in our city, and those responsible will be held accountable,' Hizzoner said. Advertisement 5 Police were called in to help the women escape from the mob of men and teenage boys. William C Lopez/New York Post Chabad-Lubavitch spokesman slammed anti-Israel protesters and the counter-protesters in a statement to the Associated Press. 'The violent provocateurs who called for the genocide of Jews in support of terrorists and terrorism — outside a synagogue, in a Jewish neighborhood, where some of the worst antisemitic violence in American history was perpetrated, and where many residents share deep bonds with the victims of Oct 7 — did so in order to intimidate, provoke, and instill fear,' said Rabbi Motti Seligson. The neighborhood around the synagogue was the site of the 1991 Crown Heights riot. Advertisement 'We condemn the crude language and violence of the small breakaway group of young people; such actions are entirely unacceptable and wholly antithetical to the Torah's values. The fact that a possibly uninvolved bystander got pulled into the melee further underscores the point,' Seligson also said. Anti-Israel protesters clashed with police outside another Brooklyn synagogue where Ben-Gvir was scheduled to give a speech before it was canceled Sunday.
