Knickmania Has Hit New York

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Knickmania Has Hit New York"

Episode Release Date: May 12, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Duration: Approximately 21 minutes

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Introduction

In this episode of ALL OF IT, hosted by Alison Stewart from WNYC's Soho studios, the focus is on the New York Knicks' unexpected and exhilarating playoff run against the Boston Celtics. Alison introduces the episode by outlining the day's topics, including a conversation with writer Nico Stratus about her memoir, an art exhibit by Sheree Hopesepian, a book club preview featuring Katie Katamura's "Audition," and a segment on the effectiveness of sirens. However, the centerpiece of the episode centers on the Knicks-Celtics playoff series, capturing the city's fervor and diverse opinions surrounding it.

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Series Overview

The New York Knicks find themselves in a surprising and compelling playoff series against the Boston Celtics, marking one of their best performances in over 25 years. Led by star point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have defied expectations by winning two pivotal games against the Celtics, the reigning champions and favorites. The series currently stands at Knicks leading two games to one in a best-of-seven matchup, with Game Four scheduled to tip off at Madison Square Garden (MSG) with significant implications for the Knicks' advancement.

Notable Quote:

"The Knicks shocked the NBA world last week. They came from behind in Boston and won two games against the Celtics, the reigning champs and overwhelming favorites to advance."
— Alison Stewart [01:15]

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Key Players and Performance

Jalen Brunson has emerged as the linchpin of the Knicks' success, earning the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year Award for his exceptional performance during the playoffs. His ability to perform under pressure has not only revitalized the team but also garnered a new fan base in New York City.

Carl Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson have also played crucial roles, though they've faced challenges such as foul trouble and inconsistent scoring. The Celtics' formidable three-point shooting has been a persistent threat, with the Knicks' defense making necessary adjustments to counter this strategy.

Notable Quote:

"Jalen Brunson was in the last series, especially lights out. He has made some new New Yorkers or new basketball fans, like, fans for life."
— Caller [12:22]

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Community and Fan Reactions

The Knicks' playoff run has ignited a mix of passionate support and critical analysis from the New York community. Longtime fans express their enthusiasm and hope, recalling past glories and recognizing the significance of the current run. Newer fans and casual observers are equally captivated, drawn in by the team's unexpected resilience.

Caller Feedback Highlights:

• Experiences of attending games at MSG, highlighting the electric atmosphere and the cultural significance of the venue.
• Personal anecdotes, such as a fan witnessing Josh Hart's transition to the Knicks and his interactions off the court, adding a human element to the team's narrative.
• Skepticism from some callers who question the sustainability of the Knicks' performance, citing statistical trends and past disappointments.

Notable Quotes:

"I'm a Sixers fan, but I have Nick Seaver right now because I hate the Celtics. I really hope they win tonight."
— Priya Desai [08:42]

"I love hockey. I love playoff hockey. But when it comes to sports in this town, and if you have Knicks playing the Celtics in the playoffs and the hockey players..."
— Dan [10:26]

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Analysis and Predictions

Sports and culture writer Priya Desai provides an in-depth analysis of the Knicks' chances in the series. She acknowledges the team's defensive adjustments and the critical role of mental toughness, especially in high-stakes games. Desai emphasizes the need for the Knicks to maintain their defensive rigor against the Celtics' three-point shooting and to rely on collective team effort rather than individual performances.

Key Points from Priya Desai:

• The importance of stopping the Celtics from dominating the three-point line.
• The necessity for every player to contribute consistently.
• The impact of mental resilience and physical fatigue on the team's performance.

Notable Quotes:

"Everyone needs to contribute. And I think they can't stop Boston from shooting threes, so that's fine. So then you, what you do is you move into the perimeter and you start defending there and don't put this all on Jalen Brunson and Carl Anthony Towns is he's playing."
— Caller [19:49]

"We're not going to beat the Celtics. Does she feel as though the owner needs to tell the guys who run the team, look, we need to get another superstar because they failed to have."
— Priya Desai [16:31]

Desai also touches on the strategic decisions of the Knicks' ownership, questioning whether the team needs to invest in additional superstars to secure a championship victory.

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Cultural and Symbolic Significance

The Knicks' success has transcended sports, becoming a cultural phenomenon in New York City. The election of Pope Leo, a Villanova graduate with connections to three Knicks players, has been interpreted by some fans as a sign of destiny and deeper cultural ties influencing the team's fortune.

Notable Quote:

"Some fans are taking the election of Pope Leo, a Villanova grad, as a sign that the Knicks are a team of destiny in 2025 because three of the Knicks' finest are also Villanova grads."
— Podcast Description

This intertwining of sports, culture, and symbolic narratives underscores the multifaceted impact of the Knicks' playoff journey on the city's social fabric.

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Conclusion

As the Knicks prepare for Game Four at Madison Square Garden, the city buzzes with anticipation and diverse perspectives. While the team has showcased remarkable resilience and strategic prowess, questions remain about their ability to sustain this momentum against a historically superior Celtics team. The community's engagement, from die-hard fans to casual supporters, highlights the unifying power of sports in New York City.

Final Thoughts: The Knicks' playoff run is not just a sports story but a cultural event that embodies the spirit and diversity of New York. As Alison Stewart aptly concludes, “We're not counting them out. We're not counting them out,” reflecting the unwavering hope and excitement that defines Knicksmania in 2025.

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Notable Moments and Highlights:

• Game Movements: Analysis of key plays, including a crucial steal by Mikhail Bridges in Game Two that secured a Knicks victory ([05:34]).
• Fan Experiences: Personal stories from listeners, such as Josh Hart's relocation to New York and his family's integration into the community ([18:06]).
• Strategic Insights: Discussions on team strategies, player performances, and potential adjustments needed for upcoming games ([20:27]).

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This episode of ALL OF IT masterfully captures the essence of Knicksmania, blending sports analysis with cultural insights and real-time fan interactions, embodying WNYC's mission to explore the intricate tapestry of New York's vibrant culture.

Transcript

[Alison Stewart]

All of it is supported by Progressive Insurance.

[Priya Desai]

You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart Choice.

[Alison Stewart]

Make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates for multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy. This is all of It. I'm Alison Stewart live from the the WNYC studios in soho. Thank you for spending part of your day with us. I'm really grateful that you're here. On today's show, we'll speak with the writer Nico Stratus about her new memoir. Stratus. Excuse me, her new memoir, the dad Rock that Made Me a Woman. And Sheree hopesepian will be here as well to talk about a new solo exhibit of her work. And we'll preview this month's get lit with all of it book club pick with Katie Katamura, author of Audition. And we'll talk about how sirens might not be as effective as we think. That's the plan. So let's get this started with a little hometown basketball.

[Caller]

They go New York. Go New York, go. Go New York. Go New York, go. Say Go, New York. Go, New York, go.

[Alison Stewart]

Go New York.

[Caller]

Go New York, go.

[Alison Stewart]

We're back on track on the fourth. That's right. Go, New York, go. The New York Knicks are currently in one of their best playoff runs in more than 25 years. Led by all star point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks shocked the NBA world last week. They came from behind in Boston and won two games against the Celtics, the reigning champs and overwhelming favorites to advance. The series returned to the Garden over the weekend, where the Celtics responded and beat the Knicks. So the series stands with the Knicks leading two games to one in a best of seven series. Game four is tonight at msg, with massive implications for the Knicks playoff run. There's no better city in the world than New York when the Knicks are good. Just ask Spike. Ask Spike Lee and the other courtside celebrity regulars. No better, more intimidating atmosphere than Madison Square Garden. And if we needed even more of a reason to believe in the Knicks this year, some fans are taking the election of Pope Leo, a Villanova grad, as a sign that the Knicks are a team of destiny in 2025 because three of the Knicks finest are also Villanova grads. Priya Desai is a sports and culture writer. She's here to recap the series so far. Priya, do you have Knicks fever?

[Caller]

Um, I do not. I. Look, the last time I spoke about this team going into game three, I was actually super positive and I'm very much a contrarian. And then I watched game three. I was like, oh, this is what we were expecting. We were expecting a blowout because it was a blowout.

[Alison Stewart]

Were you surprised though that it got to that point?

[Caller]

No, because the Celtics are the best team in the east and it came down to them making their three pointers and they did, they made 23. That's 60 points. And when you're shooting, you know, 40% and average above and making those shots, that's the game.

[Alison Stewart]

So for people who didn't know, on Saturday The Celtics won 115 to 93. It was the three pointers that did it.

[Caller]

I think it was everything. And I think it was also a ton of mistakes by the Knicks as well. They just, they haven't really played a full game as a team. They've won. These come from, from behind wins. They're fun, right? They're fun to watch and but if you're someone that looks at numbers like I do and looks at patterns, you're like, this is going to end eventually. Like it's a law of averages, the inversion of the means. I'll talk a little econ here. So I was waiting for this to happen and the blowout happened.

[Alison Stewart]

Listeners, have you caught Knicks fever? Are you a die hard fan who's enjoying this playoff run or are you a casual fan who's just tuning in and loving what you're seeing? Give us a call. 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. Maybe you've been a fortunate one, one who has managed to get a ticket to the Garden. What was the atmosphere like? 2124-339692-22433. WNYC. What's your favorite player on the Knicks? What's your favorite player on the Celtics? Give us a call, 221-2433. WNYC. So the series, like you said, it was a surprise, especially game one when the Celtics blew a 20 point lead. They did it again in game two. The Knicks came from behind. How much do you think these comebacks have contributed, first of all to everybody's excitement? And is it real?

[Caller]

The excitement? As I said, of course as a fan, you're gonna love a come from behind win. But eventually you have to be ahead in the game right from the jump. I compare it to like you're throwing a big dinner party and your best friend keeps showing up every single time. An Hour, hour and a half late. And you're like, we're on dessert. You have to, you have to show me, show me the love. Come, Come on time. So with the Knicks, it's like play the game right out the gate and the come from one behind, win it. It eventually has to end.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm going to play a little bit of tape from a TNT broadcast the end of Game 2, which was so tense. You'll hear. What you'll hear is Bridges steal the ball from Jason Tatum to win the game. The Celtics were hoping for a buzzer beater. Let's listen.

[Priya Desai]

It's Tatum.

[Caller]

Robinson's on him.

[Priya Desai]

Tatum maneuvering.

[Caller]

Oh, the ball locked away. Another great play for the Knicks.

[Alison Stewart]

They've got it. They've won it.

[Priya Desai]

New York has gone up two games to none. And defense again at the end.

[Alison Stewart]

The Knicks and Celtics have faced off four times this season. The Celtics have always won. Why has it gone differently in this playoffs?

[Caller]

The defense, as you heard in, in those last few minutes, was phenomenal. And that defense did not show up in game three. OG and an obi, who is lights out these last two games just didn't show up. And Cat, he was kept fouling out. I mean, they were in foul trouble. It was just like this. They lost the game by like, like, you know, they say death by a million paper cuts. That's what it felt like. And then also, if you're going to then add a team like the Celtics who were shooting, it was a beautiful, if you were a basketball fan, it was a beautiful thing to watch. If you're a Knicks fan, it was just troubling. I would like to know how many people just shut it off in the third.

[Alison Stewart]

Interesting, right?

[Caller]

I was like, I, let's not watch this. I'll just watch the highlights. But I was in a room full of like born and raised New Yorkers. They're like, no, I'm like, they're down by 30. What are you doing to yourself?

[Alison Stewart]

So do you think this is a case of the Celtics underperforming or the Knicks overperforming?

[Caller]

I think a little bit of both. So the Knicks underperformed in the first two games for sure, but it's because, sorry. The Celtics underperformed for sure, but the Knicks figured out how to stop them for hitting those threes. And then adjustments were made in game three. And we saw what we saw. Look, also, the Knicks are tired. They looked tired from the start. And then you have also the Celtics, who were embarrassed. If you're embarrassed in your hometown you're coming out on all cylinders right in New York. So I'm very curious. I haven't seen yet, but some of the videos of Celtics fans in Boston, wherever they were watching, must have been, Must have been amazing.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is sports and culture writer Priya Desai. We're talking about the Knicks playoff run. They're currently leading the Boston Celtics in a second round of the playoffs. Game 4 tips off tonight at MSG at 7:30pm let's take some calls. Hey, Sid, you're calling from New Brunswick. What's up?

[Priya Desai]

Hey, first off, shout out to Pia. I'm a fellow brown Indian American sports fan. It's cool to see an Indian American sports writer. But also, I wanted to say I'm a Sixers fan, but I have Nick Seaver right now because I hate the Celtics. I really hope they win tonight. I really, I would hate to see the Celtics win another championship. So, yeah, I'm 100% on the Knicks bandwagon. I'm thinking about going to New York tonight, actually, to experience the vibes, but we'll see how it is. But yeah, that's what I wanted to say.

[Alison Stewart]

Thanks so much. Let's talk to Dan in Clinton Hill. Hey, Dan, thanks for calling all of it.

[Priya Desai]

First time, long time. Look, love the Knicks. I'm actually kind of a newer fan. Been following them on and off with the Rangers since, since my kid was born. I stopped watching hockey because. Too violent to watch with the child. And I'm not being funny, but like, you know, it's. It's like I love the Knicks, but, like, they haven't really done anything. They're only in the second round. All of this hype. The Celtics are clearly a superior team with a much longer history than the, than the Knicks. Like, this is classic, like, little like younger sibling syndrome where New York fans are, like, getting hype over really having done nothing. What are they going to do? Hang a banner in msg? Beat the Celtics in two games at home in the second round of playoffs? And then also the Rangers historically have been like, last year they made it to the Eastern Conference finals. I haven't heard a peep from anyone about that. Especially, like NPR or like, anyone.

[Caller]

Wait, let me, let me, let me come to. Come to NPR's defense. Nobody talks about hockey until we, like, they just don't. I know, and I get it. I covered the Rangers for years. I was what you call the lowest man on the totem pole. So I was always covering the Rangers. I get that. I think it's More of a. You know, it's a. It's a. I'm going to say niche sport, and I'm going to get so much hate for this. I love hockey. I love playoff hockey. But when it comes to sports in this town, and if you have Knicks playing the Celtics in the playoffs and the hockey players.

[Alison Stewart]

And the hockey players are so far off. We do talk about hockey.

[Caller]

Okay, we do.

[Alison Stewart]

Occasionally.

[Caller]

Okay.

[Alison Stewart]

Just want to say that. But Dan. I appreciate you calling it Dan.

[Caller]

MSG is msg. Also, I just want to add that, like, playing in msg, I'm not a Knicks fan. It's one of the greatest arenas in all of basketball, let's be honest. So I wouldn't call them a little brother. That's a little crazy.

[Alison Stewart]

So what is it about msg? Playing at msg?

[Caller]

I think you have Spike Lee there, and there's a history of that, right? Like, there's a history of, like, who's sitting there in center court. Like, Jalen Brunson gets, like, high fives and dabs from Detective Benson from suv. Like, Mariska Hardigay, or is it svu? Sorry, sorry. Don't come after me. Special Victims Units fans that. It's, like, such a culture, right? Like, who's sitting center court? I will say the tickets were so expensive for game three. Like, I was a little worried, like, what is the crowd going to be like? Because it's five six figures for two tickets. That's a lot of money. I'm curious if anyone who's at the game, because I was not. I did not have $100,000 for seats. What was the vibe like? Like, was it a little bit quieter because of who was there? Very curious.

[Alison Stewart]

We got this text that says, hi, Olivet. My best friend is an avid Knicks fan and has gotten me very interested in the Knicks playoff games. I'm an NYC native and really enjoy rooting for the Knicks, which is kind of an interesting thing. So let's talk about some of the Knicks players.

[Caller]

Okay?

[Alison Stewart]

So he can be tight with his friend. He can talk about his. Let's talk about Jalen Brunson. He won the NBA's clutch player of the year award.

[Caller]

Jalen Brunson was in the last series, especially lights out. And I said he has made some, like, new New Yorkers or new basketball fans, like, fans for life. He played unbelievable. And I will add, I found out that the Pope follows his career. The new Pope.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, my. Really?

[Caller]

All of the Villanova players on. On the Knicks follows their career. I thought that was kind of cool look, game three aside, OG Anunoby, he did go to Indiana. I went to Indiana. I'm a little bit biased. Phenomenal player. Came out a clutch a couple times, especially defensively. Not so good in game three. Maybe that'll change. We'll see. Did she say how, how new? She just. Just this season.

[Alison Stewart]

Just this season.

[Caller]

I'm trying to think like, what about Josh Hart? Josh Hart, great off the bench. And when some of the main five players aren't doing their best, he can come out and kind of pick up where people are falling off. So he's, he's a good one to start to get to know too. If you want to like be more of an in depth fan.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's go to Max calling in from West Orange, New Jersey. Hey, Max, thanks for calling all of it.

[Priya Desai]

I was so happy to be on the show, you know, talking about the players for a second. I'm just a little, you know, I'm a fan. I'm not a huge fan, but when they're in the playoffs, of course I'm gonna watch anything about Mitchell Robinson and his kind of free throw shooting because I think that threw off the nation and it threw off me. And I was just wondering how we think about that in the context of a must win game when we're. It doesn't seem like it has to be a must win, but we're up 2:1 and just with the Celtics being the team they are have to win the game.

[Alison Stewart]

Yeah, he was a big man off the bench. He really stepped up.

[Caller]

Mitchell Robinson. Yeah. Except when it came for free throws and then they just started following him purposefully like that's, that wasn't. Yeah, that's a genius move. Right, Mitchell, my guy, go practice. Be that. Go, go practice your free throws. Like he's not that much of a big guy that he should be. I mean, he air balled a free throw. Well, that's when I knew it was over.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's talk to Aaron from Long Island. Hi, Aaron.

[Priya Desai]

Hi. How you doing?

[Alison Stewart]

Doing okay?

[Priya Desai]

Yes. Listen, no, I just know I'm a longtime Knicks fan. You know, I've been down with the Knicks since, since Bernard King and War Sparrow in them and everything. And you know, I get it. As far as, you know, everybody outside saying that, you know, Knicks fans are delusional. I'm, I'm one of them because, you know, I, I like to see them do things like for the past, before they got to the players, they were like a hot mess. They were terrible. So, you know, for me for them to do what they doing right now. You know, I like, I like what I see. You know, I like Jalen Brunson. You know, it's like I haven't seen a player like Jalen Brunson do what he do. And like, he's so much in the clutch since maybe, like, I don't know, maybe Latroste Prewell, you know, I mean, last time Knicks got to the championship was with Latrell, Spiro and, you know, Ewan and them guys, though, but, you.

[Caller]

Know, yeah, all those players were at the gate, game three, watching, and it did not help.

[Alison Stewart]

This is a good text. It says, thank you so much for calling. This is. I've been a bartender in a private suite at the Garden for the past 10 years and I've never seen anything like the energy level at the beginning of Saturday's game from the fans, of course, that energy was gone by Halft. But knowing Nick's fans very well, I'm sure that excitement, energy will be back again tonight.

[Caller]

Okay, good. I like that little bit of info. I was curious and she was in a suite or he. I don't know if it was a he or she, but that good. So you can afford those tickets and cheer. I appreciate that.

[Alison Stewart]

This is from a guy named Tom. I was flying to LGA on Monday night from New Orleans and our plane was delayed three plus hours. When they finally called us aboard, half the New Yorkers on the plane were still glued to an airport watching the Knicks improv will come back at the end of game one. Probably the most fun flight delay I have ever had. Let's talk to Bob from Regal Park, Queens. Hey, Bob.

[Priya Desai]

Hey, Allison. Thank you for taking my call.

[Alison Stewart]

Yeah.

[Priya Desai]

I love your guest because she knows about basketball. I used to coach basketball. I just wanted to ask her. You know, the owner of the team hasn't wanted to spend money in the past. They had an opportunity to get Mitchell from New Jersey, who's on Cleveland now who's a superstar. The Knicks don't have the personnel to win a championship. That's why they're not going to beat the Celtics. Does she feel as though the owner needs to tell the guys who run the team, look, we need to get another superstar because they failed to have.

[Caller]

The three superstars is Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Townsend, Mikhail Bridges. It's not enough for you because they cost a lot of money?

[Priya Desai]

No, because they're not scorers. They don't create for themselves. They're incapable of scoring 35 points on a consistent basis. You need to win four games. No, they're not superstars. They're good players. They're efficient players. The Knicks do not have enough personnel.

[Caller]

Okay.

[Alison Stewart]

This text says Laker fan first, but a New Yorker for most of my life. Only became a Knick fan in the last few years because of Brunson. They do have the mental toughness, including defense, to defeat the Celts. They need to collectively believe.

[Caller]

Yeah. After game three, that's what Brunson was saying. He said that it felt like they just kind of were lackadaisical because they were up two games and they won those two games in Boston and, you know, it's a mental game.

[Alison Stewart]

So Elizabeth on the Upper west side. Hey, Elizabeth, thanks for calling all of it.

[Priya Desai]

Hi. I'm in my early 70s and I've been a Knicks fan since the 60s to Buscher, Bradley, Willis, Reed, all those guys. But I had a great experience two years ago because right after Josh Hart was traded to the Knicks, he and his family rented the house next door to me. My neighbor had been trying to sell his house. He decided to rent it short term. Hart moved in with his family, hauling his own boxes, literally on his birthday, and started playing for the Knicks. His. His wife was with him. She was pregnant with twins. His mother in law was there. His parents kept coming to visit when they played in New York. The limo would pull up in front of my 10025 house to pick him up to take him to practice. It was just a great experience. Plus I have a couple of in laws who graduated from Villanova. So I love Josh Hart. He missed the birth of the twins because he was in Miami at a playoff game there, which sadly, the twins are fine. They turned 2 this month. So that's my Josh Hart story.

[Alison Stewart]

You're all on it.

[Caller]

I know you should be recording on this team. That's great legwork.

[Alison Stewart]

So what do you think about the Villanova part of this story that the.

[Caller]

Pope, the current Pope, like, actively follows the Villanova players?

[Alison Stewart]

Yes. And he's a grad of Villanova and.

[Caller]

The grad of Villanova. I think that's a lot of pressure. And if he has, you know, an in with some sort of higher power, they could really use it tonight.

[Alison Stewart]

All right, what's going to happen? What needs to happen for the Knicks to win?

[Caller]

Everyone needs to contribute. And I think they can't stop Boston from shooting threes, so that's fine. So then you, what you do is you move into the perimeter and you start defending there and don't put this all on Jalen Brunson and Carl Anthony Towns is he's playing, but you know how people do videos where they think they can read lips? It's big on TikTok. Somebody keeps saying that they saw his lips say it's broken, he's playing tonight. But they're saying that's not, like, accurate reporting. So take that with a grain of salt.

[Alison Stewart]

What's your prediction for the rest of the series?

[Caller]

I. I'm sorry, New York. I really want them to win, but I think it'll go to seven, so it'll be fun.

[Alison Stewart]

All right, we'll take that. Preeta Sai is a sports and culture writer. She's been here talking about the Knicks playoff run. I'm not counting them out. I'm not counting them out.

[Caller]

You and your son?

[Alison Stewart]

Me and my son. Thanks for coming in.

[Caller]

Thank you.

[Alison Stewart]

This is Ira Flaydo, host of Science Friday. For over 30 years, the science Friday team has been reporting high quality science technology news, making science fun for curious people by covering everything from the outer reaches of space to the rapidly changing world of AI to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. Audiences trust our show because they know we're driven by a mission to inform and serve listeners first and foremost with important news they won't get anywhere else. And our sponsors benefit from from that halo effect. For more information on becoming a sponsor, visit sponsorship.wnyc.org.