BRONXITES PLAY BASKETBALL in the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood 6/5/26 ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Video by Síle Moloney

Before and after the Knicks took on the San Antonio Spurs for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 5, Norwood News spoke to Bronx basketball fans around the borough and asked for their predications for the game and general thoughts on the Knicks fever that has engulfed the City.

 

As he hung out with some other friends who were playing basketball in the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Friday, June 5, before Game 2, we asked Juan, 23, if he also played/liked basketball. Speaking in Spanish, he said, “We love basketball! Basketball is a passion of ours!” Asked if he had always loved it since he was a child, he said, “Yeah, since I was 13 years old.” Asked why he preferred it as a sport over football/soccer, Juan said, “Because since I was thirteen, it has helped me stay in shape and stay fit.”

We asked Juan if he found it easy to play. “No, you have to practice a lot to be good,” he said. Asked if you had to be tall or fast / fit to be good, he said, “No, you just have to have a good mindset and, equally, always be positive and what you want to accomplish is doable.”

 

We asked why he preferred basketball over other sports. Juan said he got really into basketball because he admired players like the late Kobe Bryant, Jalen Brunson and LeBron James. “Because of this, I got into it and I learned basketball and now I’m learning,” he said, adding that he plays in a basketball league called Liga Osama. We asked for his views about the Knicks but he seemed reticent to share his opinion, referring us instead to his friends for comment.

Another fan who declined to have his picture taken and declined to share his name, said, “So, Anthony-Karl Towns (Karl-Anthony Towns aka KAT) is gonna get 15 points, 14 rebounds, and about 8 assists tonight and we’re gonna win Game 2.” Asked for his prediction of the final score, he said, “Let’s see. It could be like 125 to 118. It could be a close game because they’re both playing good games.”

 

We asked if he planned to watch it somewhere and he said, “Yeah, it’s at 8.30. I’m about to go home already.” Asked what he thought was the Knicks’ secret sauce, the young man said, “Ah, their defense! They’re playing crazy defense. If they keep it up, they’re gonna make it all the way.”

We also spoke to two other basketball fans who declined to be identified and who said, “New York! aquí NUEVAYol! [here, New York!].” We asked for their prediction of the final score for Game 2 and one said, “We New York! It’s gonna be at least 120 points, something like that, more or less. We’re gonna cook ’em! They’re gonna get beat!” Asked if they thought Game 2 would be close, one of the two said, “Oh, it’s [the win] gonna be a lot.”

 

Speaking in Spanish, another fan, Batita, who joked he was there to support his young friends with a joint and to play basketball, said, “We are the power, here in New York, you know? The league? We’re gonna kill it! You know, everyone knows.. Fire in New York…. active, active. We’re gonna win by a lot! The man said he hadn’t seen Game 1 (June 3) but was happy with the Knicks’ Game 1 win of 105 to 95. Asked if there was anything else the group wanted to add, they said, “Go Knicks! Let’s Go Knicks!”

 

Later on Friday night, for an unrelated story, Norwood News also spoke to, and witnessed, some young men hanging out outside Woodlawn & Jerome Deli next to the Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter in Norwood. As we were talking, one person dressed as superman casually walked by.

Of the night’s main event, Mario Balla said, “Tonight is history! It’s Game 2, the New York Knicks! We’re about to win. We’re gonna win! I can predict the future.” Balla said his favorite players were Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns (KAT). “My baby boys, they gonna bring it home,” he said. “I hope they’re going to accomplish that because accomplishments mean everything. Like, you did something with your life. You’re an MBA, so you accomplished something, your family, everything.”

 

Asked if he played basketball, Balla said he used to. “I play other type of ball right now. Ball ’till I fall, that’s what they call it.” He added, “Once you know, what’s understood ain’t got to be explained. It’s Mario Balla you’re talking to.”

 

Norwood News has previously reported on the MacBallers, also known as the “Mac Ballas” a violent Bronx subset of the Bloods street gang. It’s unclear if the man was making a subtle reference to this gang or not. 

 

Balla, who appeared a little under the influence, continued, “God Bless Everybody! God is good. Always be yourself and never try to hide the scowl/sky with your hand ’cause it’s not possible. God is great. Pray every day and you’ll get forward. As long as you wake up in the morning, you completed something. Life is precious. Don’t take it for granted.”

On Saturday, June 6, we spoke to Alex, 11, and his mom, Lucy. The two later stopped to take a photo with fellow Knicks fan, Richard Harris. Asked if he played basketball, Alex said, “Yeah, sort of.” Asked how his favorite Knicks player is, he said, “I have two favorite players;  it’s Brunson and KAT, Karl Anthony Towns. Asked if he had watched the games, he said, “Yeah, I watched the two games. I liked the second game. It was intense, just one point difference.” The Knicks beat the Spurs 105 to 104 in Game 2.

 

We asked what was the best thing about playing basketball. Alex said, “Just having fun, for me, just having fun and just like hanging out with my friends playing basketball and not really, like, to compete but just to enjoy that we’re playing it.”

 

Asked if he preferred it to soccer or other sports, he said, “I also play soccer but I also like basketball as my second choice and like, I’m more of a like, athletic person so that’s why I like almost all the sports.” Asked if he was going to be following the World Cup as well, he said, he was and is supporting Portugal. We asked if he thought Portugal was going to win it and Alex said, “I hope!”

 

Harris later said of his new sports attire, “I grabbed the jersey yesterday! I was in Manhattan.” Asked how much he paid for it, he said $100. We said the purchase must mean he’s all in and committed to the Knicks. Laughing, he said, “Yeah.” Asked if he thinks the team will go the distance, Harris said, “Yes, it’s going to be a sweep! It won’t be a Game 7; Knicks in 4!”

 

We asked who his favorite player was and Harris said Brunson. Asked if he felt the buzz around the City was bringing people together in what has been quite a divided time in the country in general in recent years, Harris said, “Yeah, you know, the Knicks being in the finals after 27 years.. It’s good to see, you know, the City unite and it’s bringing different races together so New York is [inaudible].

 

During the Bronx Economic Development Summit held at Andrew Freedman House in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Saturday, hosted by Our Bronx, keynote speaker and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani concluded his prepared remarks with a chant of “Let’s Go Knicks!” much to the delight of all in attendance.

Elsewhere, a video posted to social media by Paul Gelb of some New York City kids starting up a “Knicks in Four” chant at school is receiving a lot of traction.

 

Meanwhile, after a female police officer was reportedly assaulted by a Knicks fan after Game 2 on Friday night outside Madison Square Garden, the Police Benevolent Association condemned the assault and issue the attached statement. “A victory celebration shouldn’t end with blood pouring down a police officer’s face,” Patrick Hendry, PBA president wrote in part. The full statement can be read above.

 

The mayor issued the following statement in response to the incident on Saturday, “The assault on an NYPD officer outside Madison Square Garden last night was unacceptable. New Yorkers are rightfully excited about the Knicks’ historic Finals run, and we want fans to celebrate this moment together.”

 

The statement continued, “There is, however, no place for violence, and no tolerance for attacks on police officers. Thank you to the officers who worked to keep fans safe throughout the night, and we wish the injured officer a speedy recovery. The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers celebrated responsibly, and I urge everyone to continue doing so as the Finals return to New York.”

 

On Friday, we also spoke to Mikey in the Williamsbridge Oval about the Knicks fever taking over the City and he said, “It’s been a long time since the Knicks came this far. I’m happy we made it this far.” Asked what he attributed that to, he said, “It’s actually mind-blowing that they came this far with the young team that they have. Everybody got like either traded or from a free agency or you know?”

 

Asked what he thought was the Knicks’ secret sauce right now, Mikey added, “Oh yeah, their defense is incredible and good defense creates offense. That’s why they score so much.” Asked who his favorite player is, he said, “Jalen Brunson. JB That’s Captain Clutch. Yeah, we winnin’ tonight too. I got him over 15.” Smiling, Mikey said he’d put $30 on a Knicks win. “I’m takin’ the Knicks money!” he said.

Asked if you had to be from New York to play for the Knicks, he said, “Nah, you know what’s the crazy thing? Most of the players that’s playing on the Knicks, they was all on the same college team for “the Nova” [Villanova University, Philadelphia]. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart. And now they made it to the team. I feel like I got the Knicks in five (that the Knicks will win the finals in the first 5 of the 7 scheduled games). I think they’ll (Spurs) win one game.” You can bag them up like that by Game 5, zip-tied. We’re gonna make New York City chaotic.”

 

The next NBA Finals game between the teams will be held Monday, June 8, at 8.30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.