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The New York Knicks return to Madison Square Garden Monday night, riding a historic 13-game playoff win streak with two wins from the NBA championship, but amid the excitement, President Donald Trump’s attendance at Game 3 forced the cancellation of watch parties across New York City. <\/p>
MS NOW’s “Morning Joe” panelists questioned whether Trump’s attendance at the Knicks’ first championship home game would disrupt the team’s good fortunes. While co-host Mika Brzezinski noted the loss of organic fan gatherings and street celebrations that characterized the postseason. <\/p>
“I mean, people were going to party and then they were going to party outside Madison Square Garden. There were going to be post parties and pre-parties, and the streets were going to be filled with joy, and how is that still happening?”<\/p>
Journalist Pablo Torre, a longtime Knicks fan, worries Trump’s attendance sours the game’s mood. Hinting it could impact the Knicks’ chances of winning their first championship since 1973.<\/p>
Torre criticized the exclusivity of Trump’s VIP entrance through private tunnels, which is unavailable to regular fans; this, he argues, exemplifies broader affordability crises affecting sports and America. <\/span><\/p> “I thought the Knicks were ours as a city, turns out none of it is ours,” Torre said. <\/p> “You can’t even be outside. You can’t even be outside, let alone inside, and so who’s this for? What’s it about?”<\/p> Watch the video below. <\/p>