Knicks Defend Taylor Swift After Players Question Her Fandom

Guards call out celebrity fandom

Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride recently shared their thoughts on celebrity fans sitting courtside at basketball games. Speaking in an NBA 2K League video released on Thursday, the two New York Knicks guards were asked to name the fakest celebrity fan they had seen.

Kolek brought up Taylor Swift, and McBride agreed with him. Kolek said, "Maybe Taylor Swift? I don't know if I've seen her at any other games," referring to Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He admitted her schedule might stop her from coming to Madison Square Garden regularly, but he called her fandom a little performative. Kolek added, "I'm going to get some hate from the Swifties."

Meanwhile, McBride pointed to Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan as examples of solid celebrity fans.

The organization sets the record straight

The team had a very different view of Swift. The organization stated, "Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden, and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization."

Swift was photographed at Knicks games as far back as 2014. That was seven years before McBride joined the team and ten years before Kolek arrived. Her most recent courtside appearance came on June 10, when the Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, overcoming a 29 point deficit to win 107-106 against the San Antonio Spurs.

She also returned to the Garden on July 3 for her wedding to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

What it means for the next game

New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA, Sun, 08 Nov): Cleveland Cavaliers win 36%, New York Knicks win 64%; projected score Cleveland Cavaliers 110, New York Knicks 114. Our safest pick: Cavaliers +12.5.

Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks (NBA, Wed, 11 Nov): New York Knicks win 85%, Milwaukee Bucks win 15%; projected score New York Knicks 117, Milwaukee Bucks 104. Our safest pick: Knicks to win.