From celebrities to diehards
Knicks fans are a major part of the action at Madison Square Garden
As a fan, there’s nothing quite like attending a professional sporting event.
Whether it’s being one of 82,500 at a sold-out Giants or Jets game at MetLife Stadium on a Sunday in the fall, or in attendance for a win-or-go-home Game 7 in the MLB, NBA or NHL playoffs, there are plenty of unique opportunities for tri-state area fans to experience throughout the year.
However, there’s one that stands out from the rest − Madison Square Garden.
As the New York Knicks’ secondround NBA playoffs matchup against the Indiana Pacers begins, it’s time reflect on the impact “The world’s most famous arena” has, especially when it comes to the postseason.
The atmosphere at MSG is unlike any other, especially at a time right now where both the Rangers and Knicks have advanced in their respective playoffs.
While there’s no denying the raucousness during Rangers’ home games this postseason, it’s been on another level when the ice switches to hardwood and the Knicks are in action.
Knicks fans blending in with players
Whether it’s countless No. 11 Jalen Brunson jerseys or throwbacks to Patrick Ewing and John Starks apparel from the 1990s, it’s clear that fans are representing the new and old Knicks style in fashion.
Even just from tuning in to the games on TV, it’s evident the atmosphere inside The Garden is on a different level than any other NBA arena.
With fans’ non-stop chanting of “Defense!” for the league’s best unit for nearly all four quarters, it makes it nearly impossible for the opposing team to stay in rhythm throughout the game’s 48 minutes.
This even includes Knicks players high-fiving and embracing celebrities like Spike Lee and the fans sitting (and sometimes standing) courtside on certain plays throughout games this postseason.
The Philadelphia 76ers learned what type of an effect a crowd like the one at MSG can have in the first round, when the Knicks erased a five-point deficit in 47 seconds to steal Game 2, 104-101, and take a 2-0 series lead.
NBA fans are right on top of the court
What separates NBA games is how close the fans are to the court. In other sports, you’re either separated by netting, elevated seating or glass barrier.
At MSG, Knicks fans are known for getting rowdy early and often and letting opposing players know how they feel when they’re just a few feet away from the athletes and the action.
Prior to the Knicks-Sixers first round series, Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre voiced his opinion on the well-known celebrity row at Madison Square Garden.
“They’re gonna give celebrities those $100,000 [worth of] free tickets just to be there and not care about the game,” Oubre said. “That’s what they do.”
Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden
Speaking of celebrity row, it’s evident that there’s no other arena quite like MSG when it comes to well-known personalities being in attendance.
Yes, you could argue that the former Staples Center − now named Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers − have the same star-power of those at Knicks’ games.
However, it’s clear that celebrities that do attend feel as if they’re more passionate and are actual fans of the team instead of just there to see a basketball game.
In fact, ‘The Sopranos’ star Steve Schirripa, well known for going to a majority of Knicks and Rangers games at MSG, including this postseason, responded to Oubre’s comments heading into the first-round series.
“I don’t know who he’s talking about. The guys in the front row, they care. Tracy Morgan, a huge fan. Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, myself, Matthew Modine, John McEnroe, Fat Joe, all fans. They probably know more about basketball than him, believe it or not,” Schirripa said.
Ben Stiller, who is from the Upper West Side and is another die hard Knicks’ fan, took to social media to respond to the Sixers’ guard:
When fan interactions go wrong
As it’s been seen in the past, not all interactions with fans close to the hardwood are good-natured.
This was a case in point in the NBA first-round series between the Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.
With Milwaukee minutes away from elimination in Game 6, Bucks guard Patrick Beverley tossed a ball multiple times at Pacers fans standing behind his team’s bench.
It’s being reported that what caused Beverley to react in this matter was those right behind the Milwaukee players saying “Cancun... Cancun on 3” to the veteran point guard.
Beverley will likely face a suspension to start next season.
Even though the taunt was minor and not personal toward the players, it’s always a reminder that players are human beings too and may react the way Beverley
did if provoked.
NY Knicks courtside ticket prices
While courtside seats and the options in the same sections are available, they’re clearly not attainable for the average fan.
Here were the prices for two courtside tickets and seats nearest to the floor for Monday night’s Game 1 between the Knicks and Pacers at Madison Square Garden:
Courtside:
SeatGeek: Starting at $47,598 (including taxes and fees) in VIP 10, Row AA ($23,799 per ticket).
StubHub: Starting at $50,006 (including taxes and fees) in VIP 10, Row AA ($25,003 per ticket).
Closest to court (Not courtside):
SeatGeek: Starting at $7,411.32 (including taxes and fees) in Section 10D, Row 4 ($3,705.66 per ticket).
StubHub: Starting at $7,506 (including taxes and fees) in Section 12D, Row 4 ($3,753 per ticket).