The Westchester Knicks may have fallen 88-84 to the Canton Charge in their first game, but local residents enthusiastically enjoyed having a professional basketball experience without having to travel to Manhattan.
Super fan John Perry, sporting his finest Westchester Knick orange and blue gear, did his best Spike Lee impression, and could be audibly heard over the PA announcer throughout the game, as his voice pierced through the arena shouting “Go Knicks!” De-fense!”
“I’m so happy. You can’t beat this! It’s like Hulk Hogan would say, ‘Whatcha gonna do, brother, when the Westchester Knicks run wild on you,” The White Plains resident shouted from his seats in the upper level. “I’m a fan of both (the New York and Westchester) Knicks, I’m going to try to come to as many games as I can.”
It may not be Madison Square Garden, but the stars came out on Wednesday to kick off the Knicks inaugural season, led by NBA commissioner – and Westchester native Adam Silver, basketball legend Larry Johnson, General Manager Allan Houston and a surprise visit from New York Knicks owner James Dolan, who took a few minutes to watch his D-League team and chat with his commissioner.
“I’m glad I was able to get out here and to experience this, it’s pretty cool,” Yonkers resident Jamie Wexler said with son, Chris. “I hope that every game is as loud and fun as this and it’s not just the first (game).”
The Knicks made sure that their first game in Westchester was a full-stadium experience, complete with merchandise booths, food vendors courtside seats and an entrance that featured strobe lights and a smoke machine. At halftime, the Knick’s City Dancers and New York Stick performed for the crowd.
“The whole thing was pretty cool, they did a great job with it, now hopefully they can put a decent team on the court that’s fun to watch,” White Plains resident Nick Anderson added. “I’m watching the future of my Knicks, and looking at the current Knicks they’re going to need it.”
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