Celtics vs. Knicks Over Different Hardcourt

Although the 2024-25 NBA season has yet to commence, the Boston Celtics-New York Knicks rivalry begins over a different net. During a practice sequence featuring Knicks fan Francis Tiafoe, rival tennis player Nick Kyrgios commented on his choice of jersey. The hype of New York and the 2024 Celtics championship make for an energetic collision between two fan bases of historic NBA franchises.

"I know I'm in New York but come on man…Randle?…Where's an Al Horford jersey?…A Luke Kornet jersey would look better!" Kyrgios said of Tiafoe's Julius Randle jerseys.

Tiafoe is excited about the Knicks' upcoming season. The tennis star wore a Jalen Brunson jersey during a recent practice. While wearing a jersey is one way of showing your fandom, Tiafoe jumped out the figurative window by claiming the All-Star point guard as "bigger than Jay Z" during a press conference.

In addition to crowning Brunson as the king of New York, Tiafoe honored Mikal Bridges by imitating the newly acquired Knicks wing's celebration with Bridges in the crowd.

Without question, Tiafoe is the biggest Knicks fan from a professional athlete standpoint.

Celtics legend Kevin Garnett's analysis suggests that the Knicks are respected as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference. With one of the more productive offseasons in the NBA, Leon Rose built a solid Eastern Conference contender.

Related: What's Julius Randle's Future with Knicks?

With New York building the hope around the Knicks, can the team live up to fans' expectations?

Brunson, Randle, and Bridges, alongside Tom Thibodeau on the sidelines, lead the 2024-25 Knicks for an improved playoff campaign.