After violent Game 3, we’re now told to ‘wear blue and orange’ for Game 4

By Alex P. Vidal

“I match up with the best guys in the world. I’m not being cocky; it’s just always how I felt. But I got into trouble as soon as I got into the NBA, and it left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths.” – Michael Beasley

NO one can freely roam around New York City today rooting for San Antonio Spurs or wearing Spurs jersey and shorts without being brutally harassed by rowdy Knicks fans.

It happened June 8 or Monday night when the Madison Square Garden (MSG) hosted Game 3 of the NBA finals attended by President Donald Trump.

Several Spurs fans wearing the Texas team shirts were ambushed by hometown fans with flying kicks and blows as the Knicks fans became violent and uncontrollable.

Unruly Knicks fanatics also clashed with New York Police Department (NYPD) officers outside Bryant Park’s Game 3 watch party prepared by the city government even as one fan was caught hurling a bottle at an officer that resulted in a melee.

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Just one hour after tip-off, the sea of fans was already teetering over the edge, as many didn’t make it inside the official watch park of the Knicks-Spurs game in the Midtown park.

Huge brawls broke out and cops in riot gear rushed to control the unruly crowd, deploying pepper spray.

But another shocking video showed the sign being used as a weapon during a brawl on 42nd Street.

One lunatic was seen smashing the sign off the heads of others in the chaotic scenes.

Stray punches and kicks were hurled right in front of cops before they rushed to break apart the brawlers

As of this writing, the brusque message sent out by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani to all New Yorkers June 9 seems to be “show your Knicks pride,” as Wear Blue and Orange Day will be recognized on June 10 across city government offices and New York City public schools in honor of the Knicks.

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Students, educators and city employees have been invited to wear blue and orange ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

The Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks have worn blue, white and orange throughout the team’s history. The colors pay tribute to the official colors of the City of New York.

“Nothing says ‘let’s go Knicks’ like blue and orange,” announced Mamdani.

“As our Knicks continue this historic run, we’re inviting New Yorkers to show their pride, wear the city’s colors and stand behind a team that has brought all of New York together. We’re so glad to have them back to Madison Square Garden in front of the best fans in the world.”

The Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday (June 10) night at Madison Square Garden. New York currently holds a 2-1 lead in the series.

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Shaun Powell, who covered the NBA since 1985, said there’s a big difference between 3-1 and 2-2 in the NBA Finals.

The former is a show of dominance and an almost guarantee of a championship as far as history is concerned. The latter means this series will last a while and belongs to no one, Powell pointed out.

Such are the stakes Wednesday for Game 4 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

“Do the Knicks pull somewhat comfortably ahead and increase their margin for error and their championship odds? Or do the Spurs regain home court advantage—for whatever that’s worth—and change the conversation and momentum in this series?” Powell asked.

Chances are these questions will be answered by the composure of the young Spurs, their trapping defense on Jalen Brunson, whether Victor Wembanyama delivers like he did in Game 3, and a host of assorted adjustments by each team that will impact the outcome.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)