Josh Hart’s comments about Knicks fans—specifically saying that New York fans “only cheer when you’re winning”—have certainly sparked some debate. But should he really be criticized for it? Or is there some truth to what he’s saying?
The Reality of Knicks Fandom
Let’s be real: Knicks fans are among the most passionate and dedicated in the NBA. Madison Square Garden is consistently packed, even when the team struggles. New York has one of the most loyal fanbases in sports, and the city breathes basketball. However, being passionate doesn’t always mean being blindly supportive. Knicks fans are vocal, demanding, and, at times, brutally honest about their team’s performance.
Hart’s statement isn’t necessarily wrong, but it’s also not a complete picture. Knicks fans aren’t fair-weather fans, but they do have high expectations. This isn’t Oklahoma City or Charlotte—this is New York, where sports teams are expected to perform. If you win, you’re a hero. If you lose, you hear about it. That’s the reality of playing in the biggest basketball market in the world.
Why Did Josh Hart Say That?
Hart made his comments after the Knicks suffered a tough stretch, dealing with injuries to key players like Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson. The team, which had been riding high earlier in the season, hit a rough patch. Maybe he was frustrated with how quickly the energy in the arena shifted. Maybe he felt the team needed a little more support when things weren’t going well.
From a player’s perspective, it’s understandable to want unconditional backing. Losing is tough, and feeling like your home crowd isn’t fully behind you makes it even tougher. But at the same time, this is New York. Fans aren’t just going to cheer for mediocrity. They want effort, grit, and results.
Are Knicks Fans Too Harsh?
Some will say yes. They’ll point to how Knicks fans turned on Randle in past seasons or how they booed Kristaps Porziņģis on draft night. But others will argue that this is just part of the Knicks experience. New York fans don’t just cheer for the jersey—they demand that the players wearing it live up to the standard.
There’s also a difference between being critical and being unsupportive. Knicks fans show up. They care. They just won’t tolerate half-hearted play or excuses. If the team is struggling and not giving their best effort, the crowd will let them know. But when the Knicks are rolling, MSG becomes the best atmosphere in basketball.
Should Hart Be Criticized?
It depends on how you interpret his comments. If you think he’s calling Knicks fans disloyal or fake, then yeah, that’s going to rub people the wrong way. But if you see it as a player wanting a little more love during tough times, it’s understandable.
At the end of the day, though, it’s not the fans’ job to keep morale up. The team’s performance dictates the crowd’s energy, not the other way around. If Hart and the Knicks want louder cheers, the best way to get them is by playing better. That’s just ho
w it works in New York.
Josh Hart’s comments about Knicks fans—specifically saying that New York fans “only cheer when you’re winning”—have certainly sparked some debate. But should he really be criticized for it? Or is there some truth to what he’s saying?
The Reality of Knicks Fandom
Let’s be real: Knicks fans are among the most passionate and dedicated in the NBA. Madison Square Garden is consistently packed, even when the team struggles. New York has one of the most loyal fanbases in sports, and the city breathes basketball. However, being passionate doesn’t always mean being blindly supportive. Knicks fans are vocal, demanding, and, at times, brutally honest about their team’s performance.
Hart’s statement isn’t necessarily wrong, but it’s also not a complete picture. Knicks fans aren’t fair-weather fans, but they do have high expectations. This isn’t Oklahoma City or Charlotte—this is New York, where sports teams are expected to perform. If you win, you’re a hero. If you lose, you hear about it. That’s the reality of playing in the biggest basketball market in the world.
Why Did Josh Hart Say That?
Hart made his comments after the Knicks suffered a tough stretch, dealing with injuries to key players like Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson. The team, which had been riding high earlier in the season, hit a rough patch. Maybe he was frustrated with how quickly the energy in the arena shifted. Maybe he felt the team needed a little more support when things weren’t going well.
From a player’s perspective, it’s understandable to want unconditional backing. Losing is tough, and feeling like your home crowd isn’t fully behind you makes it even tougher. But at the same time, this is New York. Fans aren’t just going to cheer for mediocrity. They want effort, grit, and results.
Are Knicks Fans Too Harsh?
Some will say yes. They’ll point to how Knicks fans turned on Randle in past seasons or how they booed Kristaps Porziņģis on draft night. But others will argue that this is just part of the Knicks experience. New York fans don’t just cheer for the jersey—they demand that the players wearing it live up to the standard.
There’s also a difference between being critical and being unsupportive. Knicks fans show up. They care. They just won’t tolerate half-hearted play or excuses. If the team is struggling and not giving their best effort, the crowd will let them know. But when the Knicks are rolling, MSG becomes the best atmosphere in basketball.
Should Hart Be Criticized?
It depends on how you interpret his comments. If you think he’s calling Knicks fans disloyal or fake, then yeah, that’s going to rub people the wrong way. But if you see it as a player wanting a little more love during tough times, it’s understandable.
At the end of the day, though, it’s not the fans’ job to keep morale up. The team’s performance dictates the crowd’s energy, not the other way around. If Hart and the Knicks want louder cheers, the best way to get them is by playing better. That’s just how it works in New York.
