Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are headed back to the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks handily defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 on Sunday to complete a Round 2 sweep, much to the delight of the New York fans.
However, for Charles Barkley, the sudden shift in fan sentiment was surprising, and he mocked the fickle nature of the New York faithful.
Charles Barkley Calls Out Knicks Fans for Shifting Demands After Series Sweep
New York fans essentially turned Game 4 into a home game as the Knicks used the 3-point arc to completely dismantle the Philadelphia defense at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, clinching a 144-114 win.
The Knicks also set a new playoff benchmark by sinking 11 triples in the first quarter alone, and went on to tie the postseason record for most 3-pointers (25).
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid lacked the lateral quickness, and the team as a whole looked worn out, shooting just 23% from beyond the arc compared to the Knicks’ 57%.
The Knicks had trailed the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 before ripping off seven consecutive playoff wins, something Barkley highlighted in his criticism of the New York fan base.
Barkley recalled that his attempts to ease the concerns of the anxious New York supporters went in vain back then, but the mood and demands shifted instantly after the Knicks caught fire en route to a series sweep.
“What’s interesting about New Yorkers, why they so annoying …So we were in Atlanta..this is 10 days ago, when the Knicks were down 2-1,” he said. “We’re in the hotel, same hotel as the Knicks. They’re like, ‘What do you think, should we fire Mike Brown and go get Giannis?'”
“They were like, ‘No, we gotta get rid of Mike Brown, he’s not taking us further, we gotta go get Giannis [Antetokounmpo],'” Barkley continued. “And like a week later, they’re like, ‘We’re going to the Finals.'”
The demands for Antetokounmpo stem from the incredibly uncertain situation in Milwaukee. The Bucks face a crucial offseason after a disappointing campaign marked by off-court controversies.
Unsurprisingly, reports continue to circulate regarding a toxic dynamic between the two-time MVP and the front office.
The 76ers are currently dealing with their own existential crisis following the blowout loss that ended their season, with Embiid’s postgame comments suggesting a change of scenery.
“I don’t know who’s going to be here,” Embiid told reporters. “I don’t even know if I’m going to be here, but whatever happens, happens. But for me, I’m excited about really getting back to myself.”
Meanwhile, New York fans now get to kick back and watch the rest of the playoff bracket unfold. The Knicks will face the winner of the Detroit Pistons-Cleveland Cavaliers series in the Eastern Conference finals.
