AfriPulse
For some, this moment has been 53 years in the making.
Others have been waiting their whole lives.
Yet, a vast majority of the Knicks’ most passionate and die-hard supporters will experience these highly anticipated games of the century from places other than Madison Square Garden.
By Sunday, the lowest price for a ticket to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on the resale market had soared to over $7,000.
For Game 4, which could potentially seal the championship and has become the priciest game in NBA Finals history, the entry price had exceeded $10,000.
Multiple tickets have already sold for six figures, while a charity auction for courtside seats on NBA.com has seen the highest bidder offer $500,000.
“I kind of wish the ticket prices weren’t as crazy as they are,” Josh Hart said following Sunday’s practice. “I feel like a lot of people who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time unfortunately aren’t able to get into the building, when the cheapest ticket is $7,000 or $8,000. So that’s ridiculous.
Josh Hart is pictured during his June 7 press conference. Charles Wenzelberg
“It’s going to be rocking, but obviously I wish those were a little cheaper.”
Jose Alvarado, 28, long dreamed of being part of such a day, growing up a Knicks fan in Brooklyn.
When Alvarado takes the floor with the chance to help his team claim a 3-0 stranglehold in the series against the Spurs, his wife, children, parents and brother will be in the building.
But his friends must look elsewhere for the toughest ticket imaginable.
Knicks fans celebrate after Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 5. Michael Nagle for the NY Post
“I see it’s $11,000 [each], I say no,” Alvarado said. “They know the love. They know what it is. [But] it’s a lot of money … I ain’t doing that. I tell you that much.
“It’s a good thing and a bad thing. That means we got a fanbase that’s willing to do anything to come out and see us and we’re grateful for that. … We’re just seeing what we can do because not a lot of people can afford that. … I’m gonna throw a watch party for my neighborhood [in Williamsburg]. Just improvise and be grateful for the situation we’re in. That’s what New York is all about.”
The Garden will be filled with more excitement than ever before, but so will so many homes, so many bars and so many watch parties.
If a title is clinched at home, the celebration will spill out onto the streets, turning Seventh Avenue into a party that may never end.
“If we win the championship, I don’t know what I would do, but that’s probably one thing that’s gonna go through my head to see how I can go out there and celebrate with everybody,” Alvarado said. “If that happens, it definitely will be something I’ll think about.”
Source: NewsFinale | Read the Full Story…
