Doc Rivers says Brooklyn Nets/New York Knicks rivalry is good for the NBA – NBA News
The New York Knicks faced the Brooklyn Nets for the first time on Monday night, and the game proved to be a thriller with the Nets winning 96-89 in overtime. Ever since the Nets moved to Brooklyn, there was talk about how the two
teams would fight for fan base, support and the crown of being the alpha team in one of the biggest cities in the USA. And the game did not disappoint, with a capacity crowd on hand to witness history in the making, as the Knicks travelled to Brooklyn to face
the Nets.
Doc Rivers, head coach of the Boston Celtics, did not watch the game that saw the Nets take on the Knicks, but said that it was good for the NBA that two teams were starting a new rivalry, as it would help promote the league and
also lead to great matches and history.
“Any time teams in the New York area were good, it used to be said it was good. I don’t know if that means that much anymore, it’s such a universal game. That was back in the day when only the teams from New York were on TV. I
think that’s all changed. You can go to San Antonio and be Tim Duncan or
Tony Parker. So I think that’s all changed,” said Rivers, whose team will host the Nets on Wednesday night at the TD Garden.
The Knicks vs Nets game was initially scheduled for November 1, the season opener for both teams. However, the game was postponed after Hurricane Sandy hit the New York metropolitan area, and re-scheduled for November 26th
by the league. The Nets previously played in New Jersey, but their extensive stay there was unable to spark off a rivalry with the Knicks. However, their move to Brooklyn along with a new arena and a complete rebranding has done the trick, with New York City
fans already taking sides as the season progresses.
Rivers was of the same opinion, saying that the Nets/Knicks rivalry had finally hit the right chord and would develop in the coming seasons to become one of the biggest rivalries in the NBA.
“The New Jersey/New York thing didn’t work as well. But the Brooklyn/New York thing, there’s a lot of energy to that game and that’s good,” added Rivers.
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