Knicks guards Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride delivered a brutal assessment of celebrity fandom at Madison Square Garden, singling out none other than Taylor Swift as the “fakest fan” of the bunch. The duo dropped this truth bomb on the podcast *Deflected*, sparking an immediate firestorm that has everyone talking about celebrity row and who is truly there for the game.
“Very Performative” and No Apologies
Kolek didn’t hold back, stating flat out that many celebrities at Knicks games are “very performative” because “they just want to be seen at the game. They’re not necessarily fans.” He then tossed a name into the ring that set everything off: “Maybe Taylor Swift.” McBride, without hesitation, jumped in with a quick, “I would agree.” It was a direct hit. Kolek then doubled down, admitting he hadn’t “seen her at any other games,” a sentiment McBride shared. You could practically hear the collective gasp from her fanbase when McBride quipped, “Yeah, Swifties not going to like that answer.” Kolek even acknowledged the inevitable backlash, noting he “might get some hate for that.” The guards seem to believe that celebrities like Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan are the *real* deal when it comes to Knicks loyalty. Kolek even tried a brief save, mumbling that Swift “has a lot going on, so she can’t come all the time,” only for McBride to call him out: “He trying to save his a**.” The final word from Kolek on the matter? It’s “a little performative.” Ouch.
History of Questionable Fandom
This isn’t the first time Swift’s Knicks fan bona fides have been put under the microscope. Back during Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, when the Knicks were facing the San Antonio Spurs at MSG, ESPN’s Monica McNutt publicly called her a fake fan. McNutt later apologized for the comment, but not before adding that she hadn’t seen Swift at any Knicks home game in the previous two seasons. To be fair, Swift and her husband Travis Kelce did attend Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. However, Kelce was notably rooting for the Cavaliers during that game. The true depth of Swift’s fandom remains murky. We do know she attended Knicks games against the Chicago Bulls and the Orlando Magic in 2014, and even posed in Knicks gear with some of their players “back in the day.” But for Kolek and McBride, it clearly isn’t enough to earn true fan status.
What’s Next for Kolek and McBride?
These two might want to think twice about who they’re calling out, especially with their own futures on the line. Both Kolek, 25, and McBride, 26, were extension-eligible this past offseason but didn’t land new deals. McBride is currently set to become a free agent in 2027, while the Knicks hold a $2.5 million team option for Kolek for the 2027-28 season. The pressure is on for them to “show they’re worth holding on to.” McBride is averaging 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game this 2026-27 season, but his playing time has actually decreased from last year. Kolek is putting up 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 0.5 steals per game, with his playmaking being a bright spot. With the Feb. 11 trade deadline looming, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens with these two Knicks guards after their outspoken comments. Will the Swifties come for them, or will their play on the court speak loudest?
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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