The New York Knicks are celebrating their NBA title with a massive parade through lower Manhattan on Thursday, but the festivities have already been marred by a controversial moment. Fans lining the route reportedly started a vulgar chant targeting San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, drawing sharp criticism on social media.
Witnesses say the chant, which included explicit language directed at Wembanyama, erupted before the parade even officially kicked off at Battery Park. The French center was a frequent target of similar chants during the NBA Finals, and it appears the animosity hasn't faded even as the Knicks bask in championship glory. One fan on X summed up the mixed reactions, writing, “Uncalled for but appropriate.” Another sarcastically added, “Classy.”
The backlash was swift. “Knicks won a championship but Wemby is all we keep hearing? He’s the new Knicks Daddy,” one user posted. Another simply said, “Classless as always, Knicks fans.” The incident has reignited debates about fan behavior, especially after Michelle Beadle's recent criticism of Knicks supporters. The NBA host and Spurs fan had sarcastically told fans to “go burn something else down” after they complained about Wembanyama’s perceived lack of sportsmanship following the Finals.
Beadle, speaking on Run It Back, mocked the fanbase for what she called “crying” over Wembanyama not shaking hands. “One of my favorite things that’s come out of all of this is the crying that has occurred because it appeared Wemby didn’t shake the hands of the Knicks afterward, and now we don’t like that,” she said in a mocking tone. “It’s arrogant, he’s a bad guy — there’s a lot of Knicks fans doing that to whom I respond, go burn something else down and maybe worry about what’s classy and what’s not.”
The parade, which runs from Battery Park to City Hall, is expected to draw millions of fans and is being broadcast live on ESPN. While most of the day is filled with celebration, the chant has already become one of the most talked-about moments online. The Knicks, who clinched the title after a hard-fought series, have enjoyed a surge in popularity, but incidents like this threaten to overshadow the achievement.
This isn't the first time Knicks fans have faced scrutiny this week. Boomer Esiason also drew ire after pushing for the team to accept a White House invitation from President Trump. Meanwhile, Vanessa Bryant congratulated the Knicks by channeling Kobe Bryant's famous “Job’s Finished” line, adding a touch of class to a week that has seen its share of controversy.
As the parade continues, all eyes will be on whether the team or its fans can steer the narrative back to the championship itself. For now, the chant has given critics plenty of ammunition, and the debate over what constitutes acceptable fan behavior is far from over.
