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The New York Knicks Would Be Nothing Without Philadelphia College Basketball Players
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The Spurs blew it on Wednesday night, losing Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks by a final score of 105-95. They were up 14 at one point in the second half, and just like the pathetic Cleveland Cavaliers, they started throwing up bricks, couldn’t get a stop, and allowed the Knicks to go on a run and grab a 1-0 series lead. Wemby had a key possession late, and dribbled the ball off his foot and turned it over. It was like watching Joel Embiid 7 years ago, and triggered intense post-traumatic stress disorder. To make it worse, after every basket the Knicks scored, the broadcast showed their fat slob fans throughout Frost Bank Center, which I guess means that San Antonio is not a real sports town. That’s according to national media members who just so happen to be based out of New York.
But I have a take.
In preparation for the worst-case scenario, which is the Knicks winning the whole damn thing, I think we can safely point out that a New York title is actually a Philadelphia title. Yes! In fact, it’s not their title at all, it’s our title, because the Philadelphia basketball scene produced Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges. And sure, Brunson is from New Jersey, and Hart is from Maryland, but Bridges is a local product, and the trio combined for 42 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists in Game 1. These guys learned the highest level of basketball from Bucks County native Jay Wright while they were playing at Villanova (a Philly basketball program)*, so the fact, Jack, is that the Nova Knicks won in Philadelphia before they ever won in New York. That’s the storyline. The Knicks would be nothing without Philadelphia college basketball players. This is actually a national title for the Big 5.
How pitiful for New York City that the Knicks needed to turn to Philadelphia players to win their first title since 1973. They will never live it down.
Yes…..
This is the narrative.
SPURS IN 7!
*The last time the “is Nova a Philly school?” topic came up, somebody on social media said something that really stuck with me. They said, “Villanova is not a Philadelphia school, but Villanova is a Philadelphia basketball program.” Honestly, that is perfect. Totally accurate. I think this person nailed it. Beginning now, this is going to be Crossing Broad’s official stance on Villanova basketball, and if St. Joe’s Matt and the other guys don’t like it, they can go pound sand.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com