“The Knicks crowd was on fire while the Nets play in a mausoleum”: Charles Barkley puts forth a jarring analogy for why fans care more about the Knicks than Kevin Durant and co

Charles Barkley talks about how the Knicks crowd was much more energetic and raucous than the Nets crowd, despite them being a superteam. 

For the first time a very long time, the New York Knicks looked like a team that actually mattered in the grand scheme of things when it came to the postseason. With the Coach of the Year in Coach Thibs on the sidelines and the Most Improved Player, Julius Randle, leading the way, the defensive-minded Knicks claimed the 4th seed out East. 

Their season was cut short however as they lost 4-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, with their one win coming at home in Madison Square Garden. The Brooklyn Nets, on the other hand, claimed the 2 seed and have been demolishing their opponents in these 2021 Playoffs.

Also read: “No, not really”: Charles Barkley roasts Kings fans, says they don’t really have anything to look forward to despite playoff drought

Despite the fact that they blew out the Gianis-led Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 by 39 points without the 2018 MVP on the court to help them, the talk of the town in New York has been the Knicks. The New York Knicks 

Charles Barkley has some harsh words for Brooklyn Nets fans regarding the New York Knicks. 

While doing promotion for the American Century Championship, Charles Barkley talked about various ongoings within the NBA during this postseason. The topic of Nets vs. Knicks was quick to come up and Chuck wasn’t shy to imply that the Knicks, simply matter more than the Nets. 

“The Brooklyn Nets got a much better team, but when they play it’s like a mausoleum. They got a much better team. I want the Knicks because that place was on fire and I’m hoping they keep getting better because that place was fire. It’s great for the NBA that the Knicks are doing good.”

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At the end of the day, the New York Knicks have a much richer history than the Brooklyn/ New Jersey Nets. Legends such as Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Patrick Ewing have caused the Knicks to play the big brother role to the Brooklyn Nets, just as the Lakers do to the Clippers. 

Much more people in New York and even in Brooklyn or New Jersey grew up as Knicks fans as they were the more esteemed franchise and were marketed way better than their counterpart. This would explain why a first round exit for the Knicks this season would probably be more important to NY basketball fans than a Nets Finals berth.