CP The Fanchise: Salute to Knicks Nation. We got a special edition of Knicks Fan TV Live. I told you this Knicks NBA Championship run debrief. We're going all week long. We might go all summer long because we got a lot to talk about. And with the parade just one day away, we have to talk to the mayor of New York City, also a diehard Knicks fan, Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mayor Mamdani, welcome to Knicks Fan TV. How are we doing today?
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: It's such a pleasure to be on. Thank you for having me. We're doing great.
Fanchise: Absolutely. I mean, did you ever dream when you took office that you would be presiding over this Knicks championship parade, a 53-year drought broken?
Mayor Mamdani: I got to be honest with you. I thought it was a dream too far to actually even imagine. And yet here we are. I mean, 53 years, [27] years just since the last finals. And the fact that this would be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks history, because even the last time we won in ‘73, there wasn't a parade. And now this is an opportunity to just celebrate that with the whole city.
Fanchise: When they clinched the title on that Saturday, June 13th, take me back to where you were [and] your reaction. We met first at game one at the Garden. So, you know, as a diehard Knicks fan, take me through your mindset when they clinched that victory.
Mayor Mamdani: You know, I got to be honest with you. I was at Le Dive in the Village with a number of friends and also with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. And I feel like I want to watch the whole game back because the closer we got to it, the more I just got lost in the moment. And it's still even now hard to believe, but it is going to be one of the greatest nights, not just in my memory, but I think for so many New Yorkers, because as soon as we won, just like so many, you know, I went out into the street, and all you could see was people who had been waiting for 53 years for this. Some people who had only just started watching the Knicks that week. And yet it felt like a pent-up release for their sense of being a part of something bigger than themselves.
Fanchise: For sure. And so many speak on, with Jalen Brunson and his story. It's like that New York tailor-made story. The underdog, the second-round pick, counted out in Dallas [and] counted out in the NBA draft. And here he is rising to the big stage as a bona fide superstar with the New York Knicks.
Mayor Mamdani: And I think you heard it from him, you know, when he first got to the Knicks about how he's always described in a language of “but” or a language of “caveat” that, you know, he's this, but he's also that. And he speaks to the story of the city as a whole. And so many New Yorkers who've been counted out. They've been overlooked, as you said. And instead, they show every single day that they're worth it. And for him to be “Captain Clutch” and deliver us this championship after his father was on the ‘99 team that was beaten by the same team we went up against, and they beat us 4-1. And now, we beat them 4-1. I think it's as you said; it's a beautiful full-circle moment.
Fanchise: [A] beautiful full-circle moment. As you watch this team this season, when you had the time to. Was there any other player, any other story that stuck out to you?
Mayor Mamdani: You know, I got to bring up GTA. You know, Jose Alvarado. He's New York City born and raised. And even just that spin move. I mean, it just speaks of what it feels like to play ball in this city. And, you know, I had the privilege of standing with him at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Bushwick at the Knickerbocker Avenue Parade. And it was a homecoming for a hero of the city. And we're just so excited to have him on this team and to have his story also be part of this team's story.
Fanchise: Yeah. And as we talk about stories, you know, Mike Brown going to him in that game, too. And having a major contribution in their fourth-quarter comeback, 29 points down, which is unreal, being in the Garden that night.
Mayor Mamdani: I just — even thinking about, you know, the 29 points down. It is just incredible because what it has left all of us feeling, even in Game Five, when we were down, just that feeling of it's inevitable, we're going to come back, that kind of confidence. It's a confidence that this team has given this city. And I just can't say thank you enough to them.
Fanchise: Yeah. Before we get into the parade details, who was your favorite Knick growing up?
Mayor Mamdani: You know, I got to be honest with you. I went to a game in 2011 when Toney Douglas hit the franchise record threes against the Grizzlies and Hamed Haddadi. And I thought that was going to be the greatest moment I had as a Knicks fan. So, I got to shout out Toney Douglas.
Fanchise: You know, you're like us because over this long drought, we always dreamed of certain players. You know, we call it a “hive.” There was definitely a Toney Douglas hive where you thought, you know, “Hey, he could be the point guard of the future here.” Everybody had those delusions.
Mayor Mamdani: He gave me hope. He gave me hope in a tough time. And I think that there are so many players who we look back on and we say, you know, the memories that we have. And now to get to this point, it's a beautiful thing that so many former players are also a part of it.
Fanchise: As we segue to the parade now, anticipated over 3 million people heading down to the Canyon of Heroes. We did see new restrictions coming out. Anything you want to share in regard to the parade? To get the people prepared?
Mayor Mamdani: Absolutely. I think first and foremost, the parade is going to begin at 10 a.m. But any Knicks fan that I tell that to will tell me, “Okay, I'll be there at 5 a.m.” And it's understandable because it's going to be so many people coming. We're going to open up the viewing pens at 6 in the morning. And we're letting everyone know: do not bring a bag. Do not bring an umbrella. Do not bring a bicycle. Just make sure that you're prepared to go through screening, and then you can get there to the viewing site.
You know, right now, it may rain a little bit. Totally fine to bring your ponchos. Totally fine to come there with your friends. And the best place to find all of this information is at the website that we've put out, which lets you know about travel information, which subway stops are going to be operational during the parade and after the parade, as well as any and all the restrictions on how to make sure you're a part of this.
The other thing that we know is that after the parade, there will be a ceremony right here at City Hall. And usually that's a ceremony that fans can only watch on TV. We actually made the decision to set aside 600 seats at the ceremony that will only have capacity for a few thousand people for fans. And right now, there's, you know, about 20 more minutes before the sweepstakes ends and fans can be a part of that. They can put their name in online.
Fanchise: Now, the players will be getting the key to the city. Any musical acts, any surprises for this event? I mean, you know, the Wu-Tang/Knicks collaboration has been very fruitful over this last week. Any surprise acts that we can look forward to?
Mayor Mamdani: Well, first of all, we just have to say a deep thank you to Wu-Tang and, you know, Wu-Tang forever, Wu-Tang for the kids.
Fanchise: For sure.
Mayor Mamdani: And I'll leave the special guests and the announcements — they'll come out in the next few hours, and they'll come out also tomorrow. But what I will say is, as you said, I'll be very excited to give the first-ever key to the city under our administration to this incredible team that has brought the city together in a way that we just haven't seen before.
Fanchise: Incredible team. And as you said, [it] has brought the city together. And congratulations to you on being a diehard Knicks fan to have those honors and continued success. And good luck to you in your tenure as well. Thanks again for joining us.
Mayor Mamdani: Thank you so much, my brother. It's a pleasure to be on.
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