The Nets may have landed two of the top free agents on the market, but Knicks basketball is still extremely popular in New York City.
But Kyrie Irving, one of those free agent signings with Brooklyn, believes the tables are beginning to turn.
Speaking after practice on Tuesday, Irving explained how Brooklyn as a whole is beginning to change and that includes the respect the Nets are garnering. And he believes it's not only coming from those in the borough, but even those New Yorkers who have been here and watched both the Knicks and Nets over the years.
"The same people that have supported New York basketball are still here and they support the Brooklyn Nets now" - Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/6XGdPlgnun
- SNY (@SNYtv) October 22, 2019
"Brooklyn's a place where they've built up everything around here, different residents are in here now. It's just a different culture," Irving explained. "But the same people that have supported New York basketball are still here and they support the Brooklyn Nets now. It's just a respect thing. If you can play, they'll respect you."
That's a strong statement from Irving, who is not afraid to hold back his opinions. Compared to the Knicks, the Nets are the new kids on the block, having moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn in 2012. They did make the playoffs in surprising fashion last season, and are expected to do the same with Irving and Kevin Durant (who will miss this season) on a consistent basis now.
So, Knicks fans, the floor is yours. What do you think?