June 8, 2026
Happening NOW: Knicks Fever, NYC Parties Like It’s 1999
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RSS Feed We are just minutes away from tip off and the city is vibing! Our day began with a doubly long commute and that was hours before game time; subways are delayed, roads are closed and security is at an all time high as President Trump makes his way to Madison Square Garden. Regardless of the mayhem, the long list of celebrities, coupled with political leaders, high rollers, and everyday New Yorkers, everyone is coming together to cheer on the Knicks!
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00:00:03
Speaker 1: It is Monday, June eighth, and my mayor is Muslim, my Bagel is Jewish?
00:00:11
Speaker 2: Did you keep up with all?
00:00:12
Speaker 3: This is God's I'm following.
00:00:14
Speaker 1: Uh, this guy is great. If you haven't seen yet, who was it is a comedian. They came up with just a random guy on the street. Hello to you all for this, Amy and TJ. We're so excited here in New York. This is happening. We're recording this. There's a short time before the Knicks have their playoff game and Robes, the city is gone absolutely mad. But what I was sighting at the top there is a guy, some random guy I think that got posted. And now this has become almost the drumbeat of the city, this little saying that my mayor is Muslim, my Bagel is Jewish, my Christians, Dior Knicks in four.
00:00:52
Speaker 2: It kind of sums up the city a little bit.
00:00:54
Speaker 3: It's got a nice ring to it, but.
00:00:55
Speaker 1: It kind of sums up the city. Robes, this city is going crazy right now, and as we record this, we're just an hour away from it going down.
00:01:04
Speaker 4: And can I just say it is literally a picture perfect, gorgeous day today. It is seventy eight degrees, no humidity, light breeze, brilliant blue skies, and the city is on fire now. If you want to get anywhere in the city, good luck. But if you're here to just take it in and enjoy it and soak up the energy. It's all right here in Manhattan right now.
00:01:34
Speaker 1: So we're gonna you're gonna hear a smile on our face throughout here. And roads been too much about the president, and it's still about the President to a large degree.
00:01:41
Speaker 2: Yes, it's inconvenient.
00:01:43
Speaker 1: It sucks all of that, but Roodes, I don't think anything can rain on the Knicks parade and the Knicks fans parade today again it.
00:01:50
Speaker 3: We were actually coming back from work.
00:01:52
Speaker 4: We were up at iHeart today. We had quite the journey. Just again the subway system dealing with some extra flow perhaps issues.
00:02:02
Speaker 2: What we'd like to tell is.
00:02:03
Speaker 3: There's some issues in the subway system, because yeah, you got a lot of.
00:02:08
Speaker 4: Streets here in Manhattan completely blocked off. There is a perimeter around Madison Square Garden that got set up pretty early late this afternoon in anticipation of President Trump.
00:02:18
Speaker 3: And obviously that's the main.
00:02:21
Speaker 4: Security issue, but there are obviously the other security issues with the playoffs in New York City here.
00:02:29
Speaker 3: Since nineteen ninety nine.
00:02:30
Speaker 4: Right, we haven't had a playoff here since nineteen ninety nine. It's been twenty seven years.
00:02:36
Speaker 1: So we look, we haven't had this experience. I say we, Yes, we are all New Yorkers here at this point. So at twenty seven years, well, I say sometimes I take myself out of I say we I didn't grow up here, But at this point, yes, we are New Yorkers, and we love the city and ropes, we love the Garden, and we love that area of New York and we have not seen in this city and something that's happening tonight, it hasn't happened in this city in twenty seven years. No matter what you're talking about, that's a big deal and that will get your attention. And when you're talking about a team that really is I mean, you go with the Lakers and the Celtics, but in terms of franchises that are incredibly meaningful and even worth a lot, the Knicks brand is unbelievable. And for this city to have this night, you feel it. Yes, you cannot walk ten feet down the sidewalk without hearing somebody talk about their plans for watching the game or seeing somebody decked out in Knicks gear.
00:03:36
Speaker 3: Yes, so, yes, it's electric here today.
00:03:38
Speaker 4: I moved into Manhattan proper in two thousand and five, into the area in two thousand and three, and yeah, the Knigs just everyone, You've got diehard fans. But we haven't seen this moment happen for most people who have come here in recent years.
00:03:55
Speaker 3: This is the first.
00:03:57
Speaker 4: This is the first time we have actual hosted and been a part of the NBA Finals. And so, as you can imagine, this city is crazy. And so yeah, we were just walking back, we were trying to get to work, coming back, listening to people saying, I just got to be near the garden. We know, we've acknowledged, We've done a whole episode on the fact that, yes, the watch party that is typical outside of Madison Square Garden was canceled for the day because of security concerns. They had to coordinate city police, had to coordinate with Secret Service. It just didn't make sense to have this watch party right outside of Madison Square Garden. But still you were hearing, we were hearing people saying, I gotta be close. There's this bar. It's right outside the perimeter. I'm going to go there tonight. Everyone's making their plans to be as close as they can to Madison Square Garden.
00:04:48
Speaker 1: Okay, but they're not going to be too close because we can tell you what we're getting so far, what is happening. Gonna give you a few updates here. One of them should give you this update. First word just came out. Cardi B is performing at halftime. That's a big deal. She's a New York gal, of course, but she's performing at halftime today.
00:05:04
Speaker 2: This is tonight.
00:05:05
Speaker 1: It's going to be obviously a This is going to be one of the most star studded rooms in the world. Yes, this evening. That's an update. Updates as well, ropes. We know how much is cut off around the arena. You cannot get into the area of Madison Square Garden unless you can prove you have a reason to be there. You live in it. It's not a it's not a resident. You'd have to you have to show all this to even get again. There is not a rando around Madison Square Garden tonight. If you are in a five block really radius of that place, you have a ticket to go to that game is how they shut it down now Ropes Sabina has been showing me a bunch of live pictures that she's seeing online on TikTok and all the stuff she's been able to track down. I mean, it looks annoying, but it doesn't look like it's overwhelmingly We're having a big issue yet.
00:06:01
Speaker 4: Look, this is a city that knows how to handle major events. I was actually lucky enough for several years to be a part of the New Year's Eve celebrations.
00:06:10
Speaker 3: Here talk about a security nightmare.
00:06:12
Speaker 4: You've got a million or so folks coming into a very concentrated area in Times Square all to watch the ball drop. This city knows how to secure areas. We have dignitaries from all around the world, the most important, most powerful people in the world come to the un So yes, this city, the NYPD, we know how to lock it down and how to make it safe. It makes it annoying for New Yorkers like us who were just actually trying to get to work today. Unfortunately, before we ever even knew that the Knicks were going to be in the NBA Finals, we had something we had to get to, and that's obviously a situation for a lot of folks like, yeah, we were just going about our business today, and you have to make some adjustments based on the excitement of the day. But honestly, I think we're all kind of cool with it. We're excited about it. We get it.
00:07:05
Speaker 3: We have to kind of leave some extra time to move around.
00:07:10
Speaker 4: But yeah, this city is it's just bumping, it's it's it's just about to get going.
00:07:16
Speaker 3: It's very exciting to be here.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: This is fun.
00:07:19
Speaker 1: This is really really fun, and a lot of people listening and really you're into sports in the basketball, into your own NBA team and your own town. This is different and it's special here. This is the this is the what do we call the center of the universe. It's what we call ourselves here. That's arrogant to a lot of city, but that's that's arrogant. It's arrogant, but it's also correct.
00:07:41
Speaker 2: It is. It just is.
00:07:42
Speaker 1: And our franchises, the Giants need to be decent, the Jets, please right, the Yankees, it's a big deal these things. It matters here. So the Knicks absolutely matter. So this is going to be fun tonight. So in the room, a lot of people, this is how important the Nicks are. You can already name a lot of people. You might even be a sports fan. You know some of the people who are going to be in the room already. But Robes, this is going to be a star stet of affair.
00:08:06
Speaker 4: Oh yeah, So I've got a list going of known celebrities and most likely celebrities to be there on what they call celebrity row, which is basically there right on the floor. And these tickets aren't even necessarily sold. They're basically given to those who have earned them, so to speak. So yeah, we're talking Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Kylie Jenner, Timothy Shallomey Fat Joe, Adam Sandler, Tracy Morgan.
00:08:36
Speaker 3: There's talk of Anne Hathaway that John.
00:08:38
Speaker 1: McEnroe, Tracy would kill us if we he knew that we just listed Kylie Jenner before him. Well, I'm just going on a list in order.
00:08:47
Speaker 4: But that's those are the stables, the people we see all the time.
00:08:50
Speaker 1: Wait, Jenner and Shallo May Yeah, those aren't no, no, no, babe, that's recent.
00:08:57
Speaker 4: Those are recent, but they have they would just sand in tone. So these are people who have traveled to watch the Knicks this year. Those are almost the assured. Folks who are going to be here rumored and likely are Jay Z, Beyonce, where we see them, Alicia Keys, Jason Bateman, Tina Fay, Michael J. Fox, John Taturo, Jerry Seinfeld, John Stewart, Patrick Ewing, Mariska Hargates, Hey, Jimmy Fallon. Obviously we have like from the political standpoint, obviously we know Trump's going to be there, Mayor Mom, Donnie Haquem, Jeffries.
00:09:31
Speaker 3: So yeah, that's just to name a few. Did I miss anyone?
00:09:38
Speaker 1: Yeah, a bunch, because there will be a bunch that show up. All the former Knicks will be there. You mentioned Patrick Ewan, but all those guys they go to a lot of the games anyway. Wouldn't be surprised to see Lenny Kravitz show up if he decided to fly over. Doesn't need chill in Paris usually or in the Caribbean film wherever he wants to show wherever he is is the chill place.
00:09:54
Speaker 2: Now that's a very good point. Uh.
00:09:57
Speaker 1: I'm thinking about some of the faces and the This is something we have had the pleasure of doing, not because of our celebrity, but because we know people that know people.
00:10:06
Speaker 4: Shields she's been a familiar face there along this Martin Stewart.
00:10:10
Speaker 1: I say that because she was the one that I've spent time with there. But it's a it's a it is and everybody that's there and then goes to this little area. And again, please don't get confused about what we're saying. We give me a little insight because we've been there, not because we belong there, No, we have.
00:10:24
Speaker 4: We have been luckily invited to be there on celebrity rope, like when it's the most insignificant game possible where no one else has claimed the tickets and we're like, we'll take them, thank you.
00:10:38
Speaker 2: Okay, that's that's it. That's kind of what it is. That's completely inaccurate.
00:10:41
Speaker 1: That is okay, so wrong, Okay, so no, But again, we have had the pleasure, have had the fun of going down and it is a special place to be down. Then it's all it's difficult at times, and it takes a moment to get into the game because you're so I'm from freaking West Memphis, Argust, You're a girl from Georgia. And no matter what we've done and where we've been in our lives, and no matter how cool this experience was, and how famous the person was. Ropes, there's some stuff you just go, Holy hell. Yes, I cannot believe it's a pitch. And to sit on the floor at Midison Square I've gotten for a damn basketball for a Knicks game is unbelievable.
00:11:21
Speaker 2: And the last time.
00:11:22
Speaker 1: We were there sitting where we were sitting, on his way out, Spike Lee and his wife stopped to say hello.
00:11:28
Speaker 2: I hadn't seen that talk to him in a while. It's one of those.
00:11:31
Speaker 1: Things to where, yes, it's amazing, been with him, work with him plenty, No over the years, don't all this tuff, but still rope there's a moment that you just go, Holy hell, this is cool.
00:11:42
Speaker 2: They do it all the time. But please, please, folks, don't don't. Don't it is what you think it is.
00:11:49
Speaker 3: It's as cool.
00:11:50
Speaker 2: It's amazing.
00:11:51
Speaker 3: It really is.
00:11:52
Speaker 2: It is.
00:11:52
Speaker 3: You know who's not going to be there? All the San Antonio nuns. I did see this. It was confirmed. It's so cute. I love this.
00:12:01
Speaker 4: They were upset because there were rumors that they were going to be there, so these Spurs nuns put on social media. There have been some rumors that were going to be that we're going to New York.
00:12:11
Speaker 3: City for the next two games. We're not going. They just wanted to be honest. That's fair. That reads with what they always want to be telling the truth. We get that.
00:12:20
Speaker 4: So, yes, they wanted to make it clear they will not be there. This is kind of a night for New York And yes, I'm sure there obviously will be Spurs fans, but good luck to you.
00:12:34
Speaker 2: Good luck. Okay, every time the Spurs score, you're going to hear this?
00:12:39
Speaker 3: Are you going to even hear that? It might even be a lot less than that.
00:12:42
Speaker 1: Okay, give me the latest update we can get about the ticket prices. Okay, if I wanted to go on I saw a different price than you did. But if you still want to go grab a ticket last second, you.
00:12:51
Speaker 4: Could bizarre that that would even be an option now. But at least at last check, it looked like the nosebleeds the cheapest seats that were even possible in the last minute hour.
00:13:03
Speaker 3: I don't even know.
00:13:04
Speaker 4: Like it's going to be sold out right, the name is sold out seats. So they're just trying to like see if they can get something versus going So six thousand dollars. It went down because on Saturday, I believe the cheapest seat was eleven thousand. At one point, then it was ten, that it was nine. Now I think at the very end it was six thousand. But still that out prices ninety nine point nine percent of every single person, yeah, who would like.
00:13:32
Speaker 1: To go, And that there was an argument being made that the ticket prices went down once it was confirmed the President was going to be going, Yes.
00:13:40
Speaker 3: By fifty percent.
00:13:41
Speaker 4: And if you think about it, was eleven thousand was the cheapest seat on Saturday, and then in the hours leading up to this final game, they dropped all the way down to six thousand. That's about a fifty percent drop. Now Wednesdays, by the way, cheapest seat right now that I see ten thousand.
00:14:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, that could be the day they went ahead.
00:14:02
Speaker 4: That is, Look, if the Knicks win tonight, obviously Wednesday night will be we.
00:14:08
Speaker 2: Should leave town. Yes, Pice is gonna.
00:14:10
Speaker 4: Be the biggest night ever here in New York City in decades and decades and decades. And yes that ten thousand dollars will go up significantly.
00:14:22
Speaker 1: Tickets are expensive, most people can't afford it. The President was asked about this we are going to let you in just a moment hear from him. Hear his answer. I would say it would it's gonna shock you, but it's Trump. Maybe it won't, but it's still worth hearing. Also, we got Hakeem Jeffreys. We're gonna let you hear from him as well. He is throwing shots that President Trump, accusing him of not even being a Knicks fan in the first place.
00:14:50
Speaker 2: And this is kind of cool.
00:14:53
Speaker 1: As important as this night is, as big as this night is, and exclusive as this night is, and expensive as this night is, there is something being done for charity. And they've already raised a million dollars and somebody's going to get a really.
00:15:07
Speaker 2: Good seats there. All right, we continue here.
00:15:17
Speaker 1: Oh Damyan TJ game time as we record this just a little bit away. The tip is about an hour away. As we record this. Ropes tell the folks, this is cool. The Knicks did auction off two seats, two floor seats for charity, and lo and behold, somebody was willing to pay a pretty nice penny form.
00:15:37
Speaker 3: But it was a really cool way that they did this.
00:15:40
Speaker 4: So these two tickets aren't for sale on stub Hub or any sort of like seat geek, you can't get these tickets. These are tickets to celebrity Row, that area we were discussing right there on the floor with all of yes, the celebrities that we just named who will be there, they don't pay for their tickets either, so they have these seats to auction off. And I believe it was a lawyer, it was a was it an attorney?
00:16:06
Speaker 2: It was a law firm.
00:16:08
Speaker 3: A law firm and a.
00:16:09
Speaker 2: Venture capital group.
00:16:10
Speaker 3: Maybe that makes sense. A venture capital group and a law firm.
00:16:14
Speaker 4: They won this auction and they raised a million dollars for two seats right there on celebrity Row, and those seats were auctioned off for the money. The money goes to charity, so it's it's a win win. So you've got a charity winning big and two people who are willing to pay a very hefty price get to sit there among celebrities and enjoy the game.
00:16:39
Speaker 1: You know, I wonder, I guess I assumed it was something that the whole company got together and put money together. Does the sea is just the CEO automatically gets to go or did they no idea?
00:16:53
Speaker 4: But I would I don't know Honestly, I don't know who gets the seats, but it's so funny in the rticles about this million dollar auctioned off duo of seats.
00:17:04
Speaker 3: They actually gave.
00:17:05
Speaker 4: The obviously the row was double a along the celebrity row, and they gave the seat numbers. So we'll actually be able to see who's is seated in those seats, if they're of any note.
00:17:16
Speaker 3: I'm sure they will be. It'll be publicized.
00:17:21
Speaker 4: Quite Yeah, we'll know who they are if they're like, look, they might not be known names.
00:17:25
Speaker 2: Yes, that's what I'm saying. We'll find out who they are, but we well know you might know who they are, probably not, all.
00:17:31
Speaker 1: Right, broll do you just mentioned how much the tickets were, right they go and then the prices are astronomy six.
00:17:38
Speaker 3: Thousand now but ten thousand and countings for Wednesday.
00:17:42
Speaker 1: You brought this to my attention. The President was asked about this on Air Force one the other day of Friday, asked about the tickets. Now you're going to hear his response. You're going to hear first the question coming from a reporter, and it's a little you can tell it's on an airplane. So you got to listen a little closely there, but she's essentially asking, Hey, what do you think about the idea that nobody can afford these tickets? And man, his answer was the doo the me you're.
00:18:06
Speaker 5: Going to.
00:18:08
Speaker 3: Price in a game where you're going to do well.
00:18:14
Speaker 5: I know, but they can watch it on television.
00:18:17
Speaker 2: It's sort of semi free to watch it on television.
00:18:20
Speaker 4: But that's the way life goes.
00:18:24
Speaker 3: That's the way life goes. You know, I can go because.
00:18:28
Speaker 4: I'm president, and I can shut the whole damn city down and really completely put an end to a watch party that people love to have outside of the garden.
00:18:37
Speaker 3: But that's how life goes.
00:18:38
Speaker 4: Because I'm the president and I can go and you can't.
00:18:41
Speaker 1: I don't know where all that came from. I'm just saying he gave an honest answer. Them's the breaks.
00:18:46
Speaker 4: It was an honest answer. It air assessment.
00:18:50
Speaker 2: Is that all we want from our presidents. That's just an empathy.
00:18:54
Speaker 4: Empathy might be and maybe just some consideration of when you show up what it does to everybody else. I mean, I think you could ask for that to eat at least be considered.
00:19:06
Speaker 3: Okay, that's just me.
00:19:07
Speaker 1: So here he is now, and of course Hakeem Jefferies, who they're always sparring and publicly in some way for profession. He was also asked about the game he was He was standing there in a Knicks hat.
00:19:21
Speaker 2: At a press conference.
00:19:22
Speaker 1: Answering questions, but he was asked as well, and he essentially was saying, he's not even sure if the president is a Knicks fan in the first place. Take it and you know what, And then he followed up and ended it with more some political stuff. He didn't keep it in sports and the fun. Okay, so take a listen.
00:19:39
Speaker 2: Had a few things.
00:19:40
Speaker 5: To say about Donald Trump going to the next game. And you know, at this point is game day, and I think Knicks fans just want to enjoy Game three, the first home game that we've had in twenty seven years. But it also is not clear to me that Donald Trump is a bit Knicks fan. I mean, does this guy even know the difference between Karl Rove and Karl Anthony Towns. I don't think so. He's just injecting himself into the NBA Finals because he always has to bring the MAGA circus into town.
00:20:27
Speaker 2: And that's unfortunate. I didn't like the last Maga circus. But I get what he's saying.
00:20:32
Speaker 3: Carl Rove comment though, was so planned in camp?
00:20:35
Speaker 2: Oh No, I thought that was he was speaking.
00:20:36
Speaker 3: He just came. It just came right off the cuff, right I did.
00:20:39
Speaker 2: The guy just came to him.
00:20:42
Speaker 3: He didn't think about that ahead of time at all.
00:20:44
Speaker 2: No. I love that talent that many people don't.
00:20:48
Speaker 3: Have, you know what. Again, Look, I understand what he's saying.
00:20:53
Speaker 4: But when you get too political, it doesn't it doesn't wear well in my opinion.
00:20:57
Speaker 3: But that's just me.
00:20:58
Speaker 4: Look, I think it can be said, and I think it's fair to have an opinion about whether or not President Trump should have come to New York City on this very special, precious night that is so rare and frankly historic, and the fact that he did not perhaps.
00:21:17
Speaker 3: Put the lives of and the.
00:21:22
Speaker 4: Consideration of New Yorkers when he made his choice.
00:21:25
Speaker 3: But you could.
00:21:26
Speaker 4: I mean you've even said if I were president, I would be there.
00:21:29
Speaker 3: I would go.
00:21:30
Speaker 1: Props if I said if the Razorbacks were in the final four and I'm president, Okay, I don't care if we got to shut the city down. Now I say this sitting here and somewhat selfishly and somewhat jokingly, but robes, he shouldn't be here, and I'm trying to leave room for you know what he can. Why shouldn't he be allowed? Well, if you're putting your experience over the experience of a city that needs this, that's I can't There's no way he could sit down in front of me and make that justification, and.
00:22:01
Speaker 4: I do think it is incredibly It's made even more difficult when you hear him kind of laugh off and it was a let them eat cake moment when he was like, well everyone else can just watch it from home. Well, so could do, mister President in the White House with probably the most amazing, greatest, the most incredible watch party that you could have catered with the finest chef and whatever you want, with whomever you want there with you to watch your next play. But instead, you chose to up end this city, and you chose to have a lot of regular New Yorkers not get to do what they were hoping to do, which was to experience a watch party that was affordable to them near Madison Square Garden. And you really did change thousands of people's lives for what you preferred to do. And laughed off the fact that most people, almost and nearly every New Yorker could never even begin to consider.
00:23:04
Speaker 3: Affording a ticket in Madison Square Garden tonight.
00:23:08
Speaker 1: And you know, you see this excitement. We're looking at pictures as we speak, folks, in some live images of what's been happening outside the arena. It looks like presidential mortarcaide.
00:23:18
Speaker 3: Oh, he's coming up right now as we record this.
00:23:20
Speaker 1: Yeah, so he's here. This is happening. And but Roobes, you can't. There's no argument that could be made that his need to experience tonight should outweigh the experience of the city.
00:23:34
Speaker 2: You just can't. And you cannot say that.
00:23:37
Speaker 1: I am not suggesting at all he should be overly criticized and that this is the worst thing in the world. No, I'm not saying that. And there should be value to a president attending any event. There should be, but Robes, this is this does and well, stephen A, A lot of people have seen this today, stephen A, Yeah, yeah, stephen A went off, Steven, They went off and said, this is narcissist, is just he should this is awful that he's being here, and just an incredibly selfish act, and I was trying to get people to pass and some space and some room, but just to see what's happening to the city at a moment where the city is so excited.
00:24:19
Speaker 4: It's a city that he trashes all the time, and I know it's his hometown, and I know he was born and raised here, and we see Trump buildings everywhere we go in this city. He has left his mark and his brand all over this city. So obviously he is a New Yorker, there's no disputing that. But it's just sometimes a tough pill to swallow in these moments when you choose the moments to embrace the city, to call it your own, when you also trash it constantly on your political trail, and that makes it.
00:24:59
Speaker 3: A little off for a lot of New Yorkers.
00:25:01
Speaker 4: So, look, this is a great night. It's a beautiful Night's amazing, it's a beautiful day. It's gonna be fun regardless, and we're gonna and we know how to do this. We know how to handle presidential motorcades, we know how to handle.
00:25:14
Speaker 3: Security, can handle the NYPD.
00:25:17
Speaker 4: They are they are on top of it, and things are going to be okay.
00:25:22
Speaker 3: But it was some unnecessary drama, but you know what, we'll save the drama for the court. We're excited, we're here to celebrate, and you know what.
00:25:31
Speaker 4: If he gets to be there, maybe maybe he'll fall a little bit more back in love with his hometown tonight.
00:25:38
Speaker 2: Wow.
00:25:39
Speaker 1: Okay, hopeful that they're gonna get something good out of this. So folks, enjoy the game, enjoy Love Island. Maybe probably watch some of it during halftime. Chuck Chuck is on today, so we got to watch our boy at halftime today. So yeah, enjoy what tonight here in New York, folks. We will be talking to you soon. We always appreciate you spending a little time with us. From my dear Amy Robot, I'm TJ. Holmes, and we will talk soon.
Speaker 1: It is Monday, June eighth, and my mayor is Muslim, my Bagel is Jewish?
00:00:11
Speaker 2: Did you keep up with all?
00:00:12
Speaker 3: This is God's I'm following.
00:00:14
Speaker 1: Uh, this guy is great. If you haven't seen yet, who was it is a comedian. They came up with just a random guy on the street. Hello to you all for this, Amy and TJ. We're so excited here in New York. This is happening. We're recording this. There's a short time before the Knicks have their playoff game and Robes, the city is gone absolutely mad. But what I was sighting at the top there is a guy, some random guy I think that got posted. And now this has become almost the drumbeat of the city, this little saying that my mayor is Muslim, my Bagel is Jewish, my Christians, Dior Knicks in four.
00:00:52
Speaker 2: It kind of sums up the city a little bit.
00:00:54
Speaker 3: It's got a nice ring to it, but.
00:00:55
Speaker 1: It kind of sums up the city. Robes, this city is going crazy right now, and as we record this, we're just an hour away from it going down.
00:01:04
Speaker 4: And can I just say it is literally a picture perfect, gorgeous day today. It is seventy eight degrees, no humidity, light breeze, brilliant blue skies, and the city is on fire now. If you want to get anywhere in the city, good luck. But if you're here to just take it in and enjoy it and soak up the energy. It's all right here in Manhattan right now.
00:01:34
Speaker 1: So we're gonna you're gonna hear a smile on our face throughout here. And roads been too much about the president, and it's still about the President to a large degree.
00:01:41
Speaker 2: Yes, it's inconvenient.
00:01:43
Speaker 1: It sucks all of that, but Roodes, I don't think anything can rain on the Knicks parade and the Knicks fans parade today again it.
00:01:50
Speaker 3: We were actually coming back from work.
00:01:52
Speaker 4: We were up at iHeart today. We had quite the journey. Just again the subway system dealing with some extra flow perhaps issues.
00:02:02
Speaker 2: What we'd like to tell is.
00:02:03
Speaker 3: There's some issues in the subway system, because yeah, you got a lot of.
00:02:08
Speaker 4: Streets here in Manhattan completely blocked off. There is a perimeter around Madison Square Garden that got set up pretty early late this afternoon in anticipation of President Trump.
00:02:18
Speaker 3: And obviously that's the main.
00:02:21
Speaker 4: Security issue, but there are obviously the other security issues with the playoffs in New York City here.
00:02:29
Speaker 3: Since nineteen ninety nine.
00:02:30
Speaker 4: Right, we haven't had a playoff here since nineteen ninety nine. It's been twenty seven years.
00:02:36
Speaker 1: So we look, we haven't had this experience. I say we, Yes, we are all New Yorkers here at this point. So at twenty seven years, well, I say sometimes I take myself out of I say we I didn't grow up here, But at this point, yes, we are New Yorkers, and we love the city and ropes, we love the Garden, and we love that area of New York and we have not seen in this city and something that's happening tonight, it hasn't happened in this city in twenty seven years. No matter what you're talking about, that's a big deal and that will get your attention. And when you're talking about a team that really is I mean, you go with the Lakers and the Celtics, but in terms of franchises that are incredibly meaningful and even worth a lot, the Knicks brand is unbelievable. And for this city to have this night, you feel it. Yes, you cannot walk ten feet down the sidewalk without hearing somebody talk about their plans for watching the game or seeing somebody decked out in Knicks gear.
00:03:36
Speaker 3: Yes, so, yes, it's electric here today.
00:03:38
Speaker 4: I moved into Manhattan proper in two thousand and five, into the area in two thousand and three, and yeah, the Knigs just everyone, You've got diehard fans. But we haven't seen this moment happen for most people who have come here in recent years.
00:03:55
Speaker 3: This is the first.
00:03:57
Speaker 4: This is the first time we have actual hosted and been a part of the NBA Finals. And so, as you can imagine, this city is crazy. And so yeah, we were just walking back, we were trying to get to work, coming back, listening to people saying, I just got to be near the garden. We know, we've acknowledged, We've done a whole episode on the fact that, yes, the watch party that is typical outside of Madison Square Garden was canceled for the day because of security concerns. They had to coordinate city police, had to coordinate with Secret Service. It just didn't make sense to have this watch party right outside of Madison Square Garden. But still you were hearing, we were hearing people saying, I gotta be close. There's this bar. It's right outside the perimeter. I'm going to go there tonight. Everyone's making their plans to be as close as they can to Madison Square Garden.
00:04:48
Speaker 1: Okay, but they're not going to be too close because we can tell you what we're getting so far, what is happening. Gonna give you a few updates here. One of them should give you this update. First word just came out. Cardi B is performing at halftime. That's a big deal. She's a New York gal, of course, but she's performing at halftime today.
00:05:04
Speaker 2: This is tonight.
00:05:05
Speaker 1: It's going to be obviously a This is going to be one of the most star studded rooms in the world. Yes, this evening. That's an update. Updates as well, ropes. We know how much is cut off around the arena. You cannot get into the area of Madison Square Garden unless you can prove you have a reason to be there. You live in it. It's not a it's not a resident. You'd have to you have to show all this to even get again. There is not a rando around Madison Square Garden tonight. If you are in a five block really radius of that place, you have a ticket to go to that game is how they shut it down now Ropes Sabina has been showing me a bunch of live pictures that she's seeing online on TikTok and all the stuff she's been able to track down. I mean, it looks annoying, but it doesn't look like it's overwhelmingly We're having a big issue yet.
00:06:01
Speaker 4: Look, this is a city that knows how to handle major events. I was actually lucky enough for several years to be a part of the New Year's Eve celebrations.
00:06:10
Speaker 3: Here talk about a security nightmare.
00:06:12
Speaker 4: You've got a million or so folks coming into a very concentrated area in Times Square all to watch the ball drop. This city knows how to secure areas. We have dignitaries from all around the world, the most important, most powerful people in the world come to the un So yes, this city, the NYPD, we know how to lock it down and how to make it safe. It makes it annoying for New Yorkers like us who were just actually trying to get to work today. Unfortunately, before we ever even knew that the Knicks were going to be in the NBA Finals, we had something we had to get to, and that's obviously a situation for a lot of folks like, yeah, we were just going about our business today, and you have to make some adjustments based on the excitement of the day. But honestly, I think we're all kind of cool with it. We're excited about it. We get it.
00:07:05
Speaker 3: We have to kind of leave some extra time to move around.
00:07:10
Speaker 4: But yeah, this city is it's just bumping, it's it's it's just about to get going.
00:07:16
Speaker 3: It's very exciting to be here.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: This is fun.
00:07:19
Speaker 1: This is really really fun, and a lot of people listening and really you're into sports in the basketball, into your own NBA team and your own town. This is different and it's special here. This is the this is the what do we call the center of the universe. It's what we call ourselves here. That's arrogant to a lot of city, but that's that's arrogant. It's arrogant, but it's also correct.
00:07:41
Speaker 2: It is. It just is.
00:07:42
Speaker 1: And our franchises, the Giants need to be decent, the Jets, please right, the Yankees, it's a big deal these things. It matters here. So the Knicks absolutely matter. So this is going to be fun tonight. So in the room, a lot of people, this is how important the Nicks are. You can already name a lot of people. You might even be a sports fan. You know some of the people who are going to be in the room already. But Robes, this is going to be a star stet of affair.
00:08:06
Speaker 4: Oh yeah, So I've got a list going of known celebrities and most likely celebrities to be there on what they call celebrity row, which is basically there right on the floor. And these tickets aren't even necessarily sold. They're basically given to those who have earned them, so to speak. So yeah, we're talking Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Kylie Jenner, Timothy Shallomey Fat Joe, Adam Sandler, Tracy Morgan.
00:08:36
Speaker 3: There's talk of Anne Hathaway that John.
00:08:38
Speaker 1: McEnroe, Tracy would kill us if we he knew that we just listed Kylie Jenner before him. Well, I'm just going on a list in order.
00:08:47
Speaker 4: But that's those are the stables, the people we see all the time.
00:08:50
Speaker 1: Wait, Jenner and Shallo May Yeah, those aren't no, no, no, babe, that's recent.
00:08:57
Speaker 4: Those are recent, but they have they would just sand in tone. So these are people who have traveled to watch the Knicks this year. Those are almost the assured. Folks who are going to be here rumored and likely are Jay Z, Beyonce, where we see them, Alicia Keys, Jason Bateman, Tina Fay, Michael J. Fox, John Taturo, Jerry Seinfeld, John Stewart, Patrick Ewing, Mariska Hargates, Hey, Jimmy Fallon. Obviously we have like from the political standpoint, obviously we know Trump's going to be there, Mayor Mom, Donnie Haquem, Jeffries.
00:09:31
Speaker 3: So yeah, that's just to name a few. Did I miss anyone?
00:09:38
Speaker 1: Yeah, a bunch, because there will be a bunch that show up. All the former Knicks will be there. You mentioned Patrick Ewan, but all those guys they go to a lot of the games anyway. Wouldn't be surprised to see Lenny Kravitz show up if he decided to fly over. Doesn't need chill in Paris usually or in the Caribbean film wherever he wants to show wherever he is is the chill place.
00:09:54
Speaker 2: Now that's a very good point. Uh.
00:09:57
Speaker 1: I'm thinking about some of the faces and the This is something we have had the pleasure of doing, not because of our celebrity, but because we know people that know people.
00:10:06
Speaker 4: Shields she's been a familiar face there along this Martin Stewart.
00:10:10
Speaker 1: I say that because she was the one that I've spent time with there. But it's a it's a it is and everybody that's there and then goes to this little area. And again, please don't get confused about what we're saying. We give me a little insight because we've been there, not because we belong there, No, we have.
00:10:24
Speaker 4: We have been luckily invited to be there on celebrity rope, like when it's the most insignificant game possible where no one else has claimed the tickets and we're like, we'll take them, thank you.
00:10:38
Speaker 2: Okay, that's that's it. That's kind of what it is. That's completely inaccurate.
00:10:41
Speaker 1: That is okay, so wrong, Okay, so no, But again, we have had the pleasure, have had the fun of going down and it is a special place to be down. Then it's all it's difficult at times, and it takes a moment to get into the game because you're so I'm from freaking West Memphis, Argust, You're a girl from Georgia. And no matter what we've done and where we've been in our lives, and no matter how cool this experience was, and how famous the person was. Ropes, there's some stuff you just go, Holy hell. Yes, I cannot believe it's a pitch. And to sit on the floor at Midison Square I've gotten for a damn basketball for a Knicks game is unbelievable.
00:11:21
Speaker 2: And the last time.
00:11:22
Speaker 1: We were there sitting where we were sitting, on his way out, Spike Lee and his wife stopped to say hello.
00:11:28
Speaker 2: I hadn't seen that talk to him in a while. It's one of those.
00:11:31
Speaker 1: Things to where, yes, it's amazing, been with him, work with him plenty, No over the years, don't all this tuff, but still rope there's a moment that you just go, Holy hell, this is cool.
00:11:42
Speaker 2: They do it all the time. But please, please, folks, don't don't. Don't it is what you think it is.
00:11:49
Speaker 3: It's as cool.
00:11:50
Speaker 2: It's amazing.
00:11:51
Speaker 3: It really is.
00:11:52
Speaker 2: It is.
00:11:52
Speaker 3: You know who's not going to be there? All the San Antonio nuns. I did see this. It was confirmed. It's so cute. I love this.
00:12:01
Speaker 4: They were upset because there were rumors that they were going to be there, so these Spurs nuns put on social media. There have been some rumors that were going to be that we're going to New York.
00:12:11
Speaker 3: City for the next two games. We're not going. They just wanted to be honest. That's fair. That reads with what they always want to be telling the truth. We get that.
00:12:20
Speaker 4: So, yes, they wanted to make it clear they will not be there. This is kind of a night for New York And yes, I'm sure there obviously will be Spurs fans, but good luck to you.
00:12:34
Speaker 2: Good luck. Okay, every time the Spurs score, you're going to hear this?
00:12:39
Speaker 3: Are you going to even hear that? It might even be a lot less than that.
00:12:42
Speaker 1: Okay, give me the latest update we can get about the ticket prices. Okay, if I wanted to go on I saw a different price than you did. But if you still want to go grab a ticket last second, you.
00:12:51
Speaker 4: Could bizarre that that would even be an option now. But at least at last check, it looked like the nosebleeds the cheapest seats that were even possible in the last minute hour.
00:13:03
Speaker 3: I don't even know.
00:13:04
Speaker 4: Like it's going to be sold out right, the name is sold out seats. So they're just trying to like see if they can get something versus going So six thousand dollars. It went down because on Saturday, I believe the cheapest seat was eleven thousand. At one point, then it was ten, that it was nine. Now I think at the very end it was six thousand. But still that out prices ninety nine point nine percent of every single person, yeah, who would like.
00:13:32
Speaker 1: To go, And that there was an argument being made that the ticket prices went down once it was confirmed the President was going to be going, Yes.
00:13:40
Speaker 3: By fifty percent.
00:13:41
Speaker 4: And if you think about it, was eleven thousand was the cheapest seat on Saturday, and then in the hours leading up to this final game, they dropped all the way down to six thousand. That's about a fifty percent drop. Now Wednesdays, by the way, cheapest seat right now that I see ten thousand.
00:14:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, that could be the day they went ahead.
00:14:02
Speaker 4: That is, Look, if the Knicks win tonight, obviously Wednesday night will be we.
00:14:08
Speaker 2: Should leave town. Yes, Pice is gonna.
00:14:10
Speaker 4: Be the biggest night ever here in New York City in decades and decades and decades. And yes that ten thousand dollars will go up significantly.
00:14:22
Speaker 1: Tickets are expensive, most people can't afford it. The President was asked about this we are going to let you in just a moment hear from him. Hear his answer. I would say it would it's gonna shock you, but it's Trump. Maybe it won't, but it's still worth hearing. Also, we got Hakeem Jeffreys. We're gonna let you hear from him as well. He is throwing shots that President Trump, accusing him of not even being a Knicks fan in the first place.
00:14:50
Speaker 2: And this is kind of cool.
00:14:53
Speaker 1: As important as this night is, as big as this night is, and exclusive as this night is, and expensive as this night is, there is something being done for charity. And they've already raised a million dollars and somebody's going to get a really.
00:15:07
Speaker 2: Good seats there. All right, we continue here.
00:15:17
Speaker 1: Oh Damyan TJ game time as we record this just a little bit away. The tip is about an hour away. As we record this. Ropes tell the folks, this is cool. The Knicks did auction off two seats, two floor seats for charity, and lo and behold, somebody was willing to pay a pretty nice penny form.
00:15:37
Speaker 3: But it was a really cool way that they did this.
00:15:40
Speaker 4: So these two tickets aren't for sale on stub Hub or any sort of like seat geek, you can't get these tickets. These are tickets to celebrity Row, that area we were discussing right there on the floor with all of yes, the celebrities that we just named who will be there, they don't pay for their tickets either, so they have these seats to auction off. And I believe it was a lawyer, it was a was it an attorney?
00:16:06
Speaker 2: It was a law firm.
00:16:08
Speaker 3: A law firm and a.
00:16:09
Speaker 2: Venture capital group.
00:16:10
Speaker 3: Maybe that makes sense. A venture capital group and a law firm.
00:16:14
Speaker 4: They won this auction and they raised a million dollars for two seats right there on celebrity Row, and those seats were auctioned off for the money. The money goes to charity, so it's it's a win win. So you've got a charity winning big and two people who are willing to pay a very hefty price get to sit there among celebrities and enjoy the game.
00:16:39
Speaker 1: You know, I wonder, I guess I assumed it was something that the whole company got together and put money together. Does the sea is just the CEO automatically gets to go or did they no idea?
00:16:53
Speaker 4: But I would I don't know Honestly, I don't know who gets the seats, but it's so funny in the rticles about this million dollar auctioned off duo of seats.
00:17:04
Speaker 3: They actually gave.
00:17:05
Speaker 4: The obviously the row was double a along the celebrity row, and they gave the seat numbers. So we'll actually be able to see who's is seated in those seats, if they're of any note.
00:17:16
Speaker 3: I'm sure they will be. It'll be publicized.
00:17:21
Speaker 4: Quite Yeah, we'll know who they are if they're like, look, they might not be known names.
00:17:25
Speaker 2: Yes, that's what I'm saying. We'll find out who they are, but we well know you might know who they are, probably not, all.
00:17:31
Speaker 1: Right, broll do you just mentioned how much the tickets were, right they go and then the prices are astronomy six.
00:17:38
Speaker 3: Thousand now but ten thousand and countings for Wednesday.
00:17:42
Speaker 1: You brought this to my attention. The President was asked about this on Air Force one the other day of Friday, asked about the tickets. Now you're going to hear his response. You're going to hear first the question coming from a reporter, and it's a little you can tell it's on an airplane. So you got to listen a little closely there, but she's essentially asking, Hey, what do you think about the idea that nobody can afford these tickets? And man, his answer was the doo the me you're.
00:18:06
Speaker 5: Going to.
00:18:08
Speaker 3: Price in a game where you're going to do well.
00:18:14
Speaker 5: I know, but they can watch it on television.
00:18:17
Speaker 2: It's sort of semi free to watch it on television.
00:18:20
Speaker 4: But that's the way life goes.
00:18:24
Speaker 3: That's the way life goes. You know, I can go because.
00:18:28
Speaker 4: I'm president, and I can shut the whole damn city down and really completely put an end to a watch party that people love to have outside of the garden.
00:18:37
Speaker 3: But that's how life goes.
00:18:38
Speaker 4: Because I'm the president and I can go and you can't.
00:18:41
Speaker 1: I don't know where all that came from. I'm just saying he gave an honest answer. Them's the breaks.
00:18:46
Speaker 4: It was an honest answer. It air assessment.
00:18:50
Speaker 2: Is that all we want from our presidents. That's just an empathy.
00:18:54
Speaker 4: Empathy might be and maybe just some consideration of when you show up what it does to everybody else. I mean, I think you could ask for that to eat at least be considered.
00:19:06
Speaker 3: Okay, that's just me.
00:19:07
Speaker 1: So here he is now, and of course Hakeem Jefferies, who they're always sparring and publicly in some way for profession. He was also asked about the game he was He was standing there in a Knicks hat.
00:19:21
Speaker 2: At a press conference.
00:19:22
Speaker 1: Answering questions, but he was asked as well, and he essentially was saying, he's not even sure if the president is a Knicks fan in the first place. Take it and you know what, And then he followed up and ended it with more some political stuff. He didn't keep it in sports and the fun. Okay, so take a listen.
00:19:39
Speaker 2: Had a few things.
00:19:40
Speaker 5: To say about Donald Trump going to the next game. And you know, at this point is game day, and I think Knicks fans just want to enjoy Game three, the first home game that we've had in twenty seven years. But it also is not clear to me that Donald Trump is a bit Knicks fan. I mean, does this guy even know the difference between Karl Rove and Karl Anthony Towns. I don't think so. He's just injecting himself into the NBA Finals because he always has to bring the MAGA circus into town.
00:20:27
Speaker 2: And that's unfortunate. I didn't like the last Maga circus. But I get what he's saying.
00:20:32
Speaker 3: Carl Rove comment though, was so planned in camp?
00:20:35
Speaker 2: Oh No, I thought that was he was speaking.
00:20:36
Speaker 3: He just came. It just came right off the cuff, right I did.
00:20:39
Speaker 2: The guy just came to him.
00:20:42
Speaker 3: He didn't think about that ahead of time at all.
00:20:44
Speaker 2: No. I love that talent that many people don't.
00:20:48
Speaker 3: Have, you know what. Again, Look, I understand what he's saying.
00:20:53
Speaker 4: But when you get too political, it doesn't it doesn't wear well in my opinion.
00:20:57
Speaker 3: But that's just me.
00:20:58
Speaker 4: Look, I think it can be said, and I think it's fair to have an opinion about whether or not President Trump should have come to New York City on this very special, precious night that is so rare and frankly historic, and the fact that he did not perhaps.
00:21:17
Speaker 3: Put the lives of and the.
00:21:22
Speaker 4: Consideration of New Yorkers when he made his choice.
00:21:25
Speaker 3: But you could.
00:21:26
Speaker 4: I mean you've even said if I were president, I would be there.
00:21:29
Speaker 3: I would go.
00:21:30
Speaker 1: Props if I said if the Razorbacks were in the final four and I'm president, Okay, I don't care if we got to shut the city down. Now I say this sitting here and somewhat selfishly and somewhat jokingly, but robes, he shouldn't be here, and I'm trying to leave room for you know what he can. Why shouldn't he be allowed? Well, if you're putting your experience over the experience of a city that needs this, that's I can't There's no way he could sit down in front of me and make that justification, and.
00:22:01
Speaker 4: I do think it is incredibly It's made even more difficult when you hear him kind of laugh off and it was a let them eat cake moment when he was like, well everyone else can just watch it from home. Well, so could do, mister President in the White House with probably the most amazing, greatest, the most incredible watch party that you could have catered with the finest chef and whatever you want, with whomever you want there with you to watch your next play. But instead, you chose to up end this city, and you chose to have a lot of regular New Yorkers not get to do what they were hoping to do, which was to experience a watch party that was affordable to them near Madison Square Garden. And you really did change thousands of people's lives for what you preferred to do. And laughed off the fact that most people, almost and nearly every New Yorker could never even begin to consider.
00:23:04
Speaker 3: Affording a ticket in Madison Square Garden tonight.
00:23:08
Speaker 1: And you know, you see this excitement. We're looking at pictures as we speak, folks, in some live images of what's been happening outside the arena. It looks like presidential mortarcaide.
00:23:18
Speaker 3: Oh, he's coming up right now as we record this.
00:23:20
Speaker 1: Yeah, so he's here. This is happening. And but Roobes, you can't. There's no argument that could be made that his need to experience tonight should outweigh the experience of the city.
00:23:34
Speaker 2: You just can't. And you cannot say that.
00:23:37
Speaker 1: I am not suggesting at all he should be overly criticized and that this is the worst thing in the world. No, I'm not saying that. And there should be value to a president attending any event. There should be, but Robes, this is this does and well, stephen A, A lot of people have seen this today, stephen A, Yeah, yeah, stephen A went off, Steven, They went off and said, this is narcissist, is just he should this is awful that he's being here, and just an incredibly selfish act, and I was trying to get people to pass and some space and some room, but just to see what's happening to the city at a moment where the city is so excited.
00:24:19
Speaker 4: It's a city that he trashes all the time, and I know it's his hometown, and I know he was born and raised here, and we see Trump buildings everywhere we go in this city. He has left his mark and his brand all over this city. So obviously he is a New Yorker, there's no disputing that. But it's just sometimes a tough pill to swallow in these moments when you choose the moments to embrace the city, to call it your own, when you also trash it constantly on your political trail, and that makes it.
00:24:59
Speaker 3: A little off for a lot of New Yorkers.
00:25:01
Speaker 4: So, look, this is a great night. It's a beautiful Night's amazing, it's a beautiful day. It's gonna be fun regardless, and we're gonna and we know how to do this. We know how to handle presidential motorcades, we know how to handle.
00:25:14
Speaker 3: Security, can handle the NYPD.
00:25:17
Speaker 4: They are they are on top of it, and things are going to be okay.
00:25:22
Speaker 3: But it was some unnecessary drama, but you know what, we'll save the drama for the court. We're excited, we're here to celebrate, and you know what.
00:25:31
Speaker 4: If he gets to be there, maybe maybe he'll fall a little bit more back in love with his hometown tonight.
00:25:38
Speaker 2: Wow.
00:25:39
Speaker 1: Okay, hopeful that they're gonna get something good out of this. So folks, enjoy the game, enjoy Love Island. Maybe probably watch some of it during halftime. Chuck Chuck is on today, so we got to watch our boy at halftime today. So yeah, enjoy what tonight here in New York, folks. We will be talking to you soon. We always appreciate you spending a little time with us. From my dear Amy Robot, I'm TJ. Holmes, and we will talk soon.