Since the rivalry is so stale to begin with, rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis decided to add a little fuel onto the burning out fire between Knicks-Nets.
By David Hong
Kristpas Porzingis will be getting his first taste of the New York Knicks–Brooklyn Nets rivalry when both teams square off tonight at Madison Square Garden.
The city rivalry has waned down a bit with both teams struggling, but the confident rookie is trying to make it matter again and here’s some of his comments he told Ian Begley of ESPN.
“I know our fans are better than Brookyn’s fans,” said Porzingis. “It will be a good game. Brooklyn, they’re struggling this season. But they will try to win the rivalry, as we want to win.”
He’s also trying to poke fun by attempting to convert Nets fans to Knicks fans.
“Sometimes I see someone with a Brooklyn hat on, I say, ‘What is that? You need a Knicks hat. I joke around with them. Sometimes I see them. Not as many Knicks fans, though.”
Even though he just finished his first month in the NBA, there’s no doubt, Prozingis already has a feel for this NY rivalry. Even though both teams have struggled recently, he still knows the importance that comes down to it in terms of city bragging right, owning NY, etc.
Kristaps Porzingis adds fire to the Knicks-Nets rivalry.
MORE » https://t.co/9JYHvMHYjJ pic.twitter.com/e41tCOimHI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 4, 2015
He may be right in some ways as well. New York has always been a Knick town despite their recent struggles. The Nets move to Brooklyn may have brought more competition in this area and helped the Nets fan base but the city has bled orange and blue for years and unless Brooklyn has a dynasty going, it will be very tough for them to take over Gotham.
Even with the Knicks improvement this season, both teams will be coming in under .500 but Porzingis’s comments should bring some added fuel to this still anticipated matchup tonight.
[su_button url=”https://elitesportsny.com/2015/12/02/kristaps-porzingis-continues-dominance-alley-oop-ferocious-dunk-video/” background=”#000080″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes” radius=”0″]NEXT: Porzingis Continues His Dominance With Oop[/su_button]
