NBA Commissioner Silver Enthused by New York's Energy for Finals

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his astonishment at the electric atmosphere in New York as the city gears up for the NBA Finals. Speaking just before Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, Silver noted that he hasn't witnessed such enthusiasm for any event in the city, especially with the Knicks leading the series against the San Antonio Spurs.

This year's Finals mark the first time New York has hosted this pivotal event since 1999, and the Knicks are on a remarkable playoff winning streak of 14 games, seeking their first championship title since 1973. "It's incredible. I haven't seen anything like this," Silver remarked. He attributed the city's excitement to the long 53-year wait since their last championship, stating, "People in this town are ready to celebrate."

Among the attendees at the game was US President Donald Trump, who has a history of attending Knicks games during his time as a New York real estate mogul. Silver welcomed Trump's presence, emphasizing sports' unique ability to unite people amid divisive times. "What makes sports so special... is that there's something that we have in common," he said, highlighting the importance of community in sports.

The heightened security measures for Trump's visit required fans to arrive two hours early and led to the cancellation of a watch party outside the arena. "Yes, there's some inconvenience to the fans here, but when looking around at the arena, it's packed," Silver noted, praising fans for their patience and commitment.

Even with the FIFA World Cup looming, Silver observed that New Yorkers are predominantly focused on the NBA Finals. "You can feel it everywhere you go," he said, adding that the excitement extends beyond the United States, with a global following for both the Knicks and Spurs, particularly due to the presence of French star Victor Wembanyama.