It went down fast: Knicks bench players Tyler Kolek and Miles “Deuce” McBride just publicly questioned Taylor Swift’s New York Knicks fandom on a video series, calling her the “fakest” celebrity fan they’d seen courtside. This isn’t just some locker room chatter, folks, this was on the NBA 2K League’s “Deflected” series, and it sparked an immediate response from the organization itself.
The “Performative” Fan Call-Out
Kolek didn’t hold back, kicking things off by saying, “At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative, because they just want to be seen at the game. They’re not necessarily fans. Maybe Taylor Swift?” McBride jumped right in, agreeing immediately and even predicting the backlash, joking, “Swifties not going to like that answer.” Kolek backed it up, noting, “I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games.” He tried to backtrack a little, adding, “I guess she’s got a lot going on, so she can’t come all the time,” but McBride was quick to call him out, “Oh he trying to save his ass.” The exchange made its way onto some NBA 2K League social channels, though TikTok and Instagram pulled it down. You can still find the original video on YouTube, though. Kolek, by the way, is a second-round pick from Marquette, now in his third year.
The Knicks Organization Takes a Stand
Less than 24 hours after Kolek and McBride dropped their hot take, the Knicks organization fired back. The team released a statement through The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, straight up defending Swift: “Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden, and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization.” Boom! That’s a strong vote of confidence against their own players. And honestly, the team’s got receipts. Swift has been a known Knicks fan for over a decade. Back in 2014, she told Time Magazine she’s loved the squad since she was 12 or 13, performing at a halftime kids talent competition. She even developed a friendship with former Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire. Plus, during the Knicks’ championship run, she was right there, courtside for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland and then Game 4 of the NBA Finals. That Finals game was a historic comeback for New York, and her reactions on the broadcast while rocking a “Stevie Knicks” shirt were pure gold. She was losing her mind, celebrating alongside Este and Alana Haim and Mariska Hargitay. And let’s not forget, she married Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden less than a month later. Talk about loyalty to the arena!
Not the First Time This Fandom Has Been Questioned
This isn’t even the first time Swift’s Knicks fandom has faced scrutiny from someone connected to the team. Just before Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, team radio analyst Monic McNutt made some similar comments, only to issue an apology via a TMZ street interview within 24 hours. It just shows you, when it comes to Taylor Swift and the Knicks, this debate about who’s a “real fan” can get wild, and the organization is clearly ready to jump in and protect one of its most famous supporters. The question now is, what’s the vibe going to be like in the locker room?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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