The New York Knicks survived 53 years without a championship, but will they survive the wrath of the Swifties? Sitting down for a friendly game and spicy questions for NBA 2K League’s “DEFLECTED” series, Knicks stars Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride dubbed Taylor Swift the “fakest celebrity fan.”
Asked, “Who’s the fakes celebrity fan you’ve seen sitting courtside” at Madison Square Garden’s famed Celebrity Row, Kolek chuckled. “At the Knicks games, I’d say it’s very performative,” he said. “Because, like, they just wanna be seen at the game. They’re not necessarily fans.”
Then he dropped his answer: “Maybe Taylor Swift.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen her at any other games,” Kolek said, referring to Swift’s viral appearance at Game Four of this year’s NBA finals.
Swift attended that game with NYC royalty Mariska Hargitay and LA natives Alana and Este Haim, all wearing punny blue-and-orange T-shirts; Swift’s read “Stevie Knicks.” It was an incredible game, with the Knicks making a historic comeback to win after being down 29 points in the third quarter. But the media was as much focused on Swift, her crew, and their shirts (which were, according to the Haims, Swift’s idea) as the scoreboard.
Even at the time, Swift’s appearance stirred up performative claims, especially considering Swift and then-fiancé Travis Kelce were at Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and the Cavaliers just a few weeks later. Kelce was decked out in gear to root for his Cavs, and Swift was… also there. Then, of course, there’s the couple’s infamous takeover of the Knicks’ home venue, MSG, for their wedding in July. But for the NBA players themselves to call it out, in public?
“Swifties not gonna like that answer,” McBride warned.
“Yeah, nah, Swifties. I’m gonna get some hate from the Swifties,” Kolek said, before adding, “I guess she’s got a lot going on, so she can’t come all the time.”
“Look, he trying to save his ass,” laughed McBride.
“But it’s a little performative,” ended Kolek.
Watch the segment below. And Knicks in five — may they survive the Swiftie hive.
