A former San Antonio mayor who moved to New York a decade in the past stated he loves the Knicks — however admitted his “coronary heart is with the Spurs.”
Invoice Thornton, the mayor of San Antonio from 1995 to 1997, moved to Manhattan in 2013 and has a house contained in the The Continental constructing — inside strolling distance of Madison Sq. Backyard.
“We will hear the crowds outdoors MSG from our home windows,” stated Thornton, who can also be the resident consultant on the board of the thirty fourth Road Partnership Enterprise Enchancment District.
The native Texan attended Spurs video games as mayor and witnessed the workforce’s dynasty as they racked up 5 NBA championships, together with defeating the Knicks in 1999.
Thornton first gave a dodgy politically right reply when requested the place his allegiance now lies, telling The Submit in an interview, “I’m for each groups. I can’t lose.”
However after prodding, he stated, “If anybody asks the place my coronary heart is, it’s with the Spurs.”
The ex-San Antonio chief underwent knee surgical procedure and didn’t see Monday’s sport and stated he didn’t know sufficient to touch upon the controversy surrounding Spurs 7-foot-4 inch middle Victor Wembanyama shoving Knicks captain Jalen Brunson, which many Knicks complained was an uncalled flagrant foul.
“I don’t suppose Wemby is a unclean participant. I hope not. He’s so tall that his elbow is on the degree of everybody else’s head,” he stated.
The Spurs are the one main skilled sports activities workforce in San Antonio and followers are keen about them.
“The Spurs are the diamond within the diamond ring,” Thornton, 81, stated.
He recalled a visit to Israel, when the mayor of Jerusalem requested him, “Say hi there to “The Admiral!” — the nickname given to Spurs Corridor of Fame middle David Robinson, who served within the Navy.
However Thornton stated he’s develop into a Knicks fan since shifting to the Massive Apple, and he refers to Brunson as “Mr. Clutch.”
The workforce is battle examined and performs effectively collectively, that includes three gamers who had been teammates on the Villanova College NCAA championship workforce — Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, he stated.
“They know tips on how to play with one another. It’s a bonus for the Knicks,” Thornton stated. “The Knicks are an ideal group of men.”
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He additionally raved in regards to the Spurs’ younger stars Wemby and guard Stephon Fortress.
“Individuals who love basketball are seeing the most effective on this planet.”
He stated New York and San Antonio are completely different cities however share similarities with giant immigrant communities — New York is a world gateway and San Antonio, on the southern border, has an enormous Mexican-American and Hispanic immigrant inhabitants.
He stated Gotham’s tradition is what lured him from the Lone Star State.
“New York is town of culinary, theater, museums, Lincoln Middle, Carnegie Corridor,” he stated. “You’re not going to seek out that wherever.
“San Antonio is ‘Navy USA,’” Thornton stated, noting the big navy base and one of many largest energetic and retired navy populations within the nation.
“It’s an orderly metropolis, a enjoyable metropolis. It’s balanced.”
Each San Antonio and town are sharing one factor, he famous — an ideal basketball sequence.
“You’re seeing two nice groups from two nice cities. The groups imply all the pieces to followers in each cities,” he stated. “Broadway and the River Stroll share the identical heartbeat.”
