After the New York Knicks took Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, the streets of NYC outside of Madison Square Garden were swarmed with celebrating fans, who watched the Knicks destroy their second-round opponent.
The performance was certainly worthy of being celebrated, but the Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green believes it was over the top.
On a recent episode of The Draymond Green show, the veteran forward sent Knicks fans a message, encouraging them to settle down.
Draymond Green’s Message To New York Knicks Fans
“I saw y’all after game 1, y’all had JR [Smith] surrounded, and all this stuff, and I’m just saying you cannot celebrate these things like this,” Green said.
“I told this to y’all before. You have a parade after you win a second round. How you going to win the Conference Finals we had the parade already? So I’m just telling y’all Knicks fans, I know that it’s been a rough go and I know it’s taking a while, but don’t blow it. Because you’re making about yourself and your tough journey. I’ll tell you a little secret Knicks fans those current players don’t give a f*** about your journey before, they don’t give a damn that all of those teams before were getting their a**** kicked, those current players it wasn’t them they don’t give a damn. Stop celebrating. When the game ends, go to a bar, go home, go drink, and do whatever you’re going to do. But stop having these melees and these parades outside of The Garden.”
The Knicks have a strong fan base that surely knows how to appreciate wins in the moment. Taking Game 1 of their second-round series against a division rival with a 137-98 score is a major accomplishment.
But to Green’s point, it is early. The Knicks need three more wins just to get to the next round, which isn’t the NBA Finals just yet. Considering the Knicks were in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, they have higher expectations. A round two victory won’t satisfy the supporters enough.
Green has won a lot throughout his career with the Golden State Warriors. He knows that it takes a lot to get to the biggest stage in basketball and fire off four wins in a possible seven-game series. The Knicks still have a long way to go, and the veteran forward urges Knicks fans to stay humble going into Game 2 on Wednesday.