Knicks’ Josh Hart creates Yankees-Mets debate with tweet to former teammate

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges both arrived in New York City after the trade deadline to their newest teams. The two former Villanova teammates are now rivals with Hart on the New York Knicks and Bridges on the Nets. After being in the city for a month and a half, Bridges is still trying to become familiar with the area, including learning which MLB team the majority of Brooklyn fans root for.

Ahead of the start of Opening Day festivities on Thursday, Bridges took to Twitter to get some answers.

There were several Mets responses in the replies, including one tweet that included a picture of Donovan Mitchell, who is extremely vocal about his love for the Mets. However, Hart wanted to help his friend out by offering his own opinion on which team to cheer for.

Knicks-Yankees fans, you now love Hart a little more, while Knicks-Mets fans may feel a little betrayed. As Hart added in a separate tweet, he grew up in the DMV watching the Nationals so he’s more opposed to the Mets.

The biggest reason why he prefers the Yankees, though, is because he has a special connection with the organization as his great uncle Elston Howard was the first Black player to play for the Yankees. Howard won the American League MVP in 1963. His No. 32 was retired by the Yankees in 1984.

Knicks’ fan favorite Josh Hart backs Yankees over Mets in Opening Day tweet

Similar to how many people say that New York City is “Knicks or nothing,” Josh Hart believes that the same applies to the Yankees. He hasn’t been in the city long, but he’s already been able to pick that up.

Regardless of which team Knicks fans support, both fan bases picked up a win on Opening Day with the Yankees cruising past the Giants, 5-0, and the Mets beating the Marlins, 5-3, thanks to a two-run double from Brandon Nimmo in the seventh inning.

Yankees fans got to enjoy Opening Day in the Bronx on Thursday and Mets fans will get to do the same at Citi Field next Thursday. Queens will be the place to be then with the Yankees on the road.

Josh Hart doesn’t have a lot of time to catch a game right now with the regular season coming to an end and playoffs starting soon, but maybe he’ll make an appearance at Yankee Stadium sometime this year donning a No. 32 jersey. Perhaps he’ll even wind up at Citi Field if Knicks-Mets fans pressure him enough.

The good thing is that at this point in the NBA season, Knicks fans have a lot to look forward to. While typically both Yankees and Mets fans would’ve already turned their attention to baseball, the Knicks could make some noise in the playoffs this year. It’s nice to feel hopeful about more than a potential lottery pick.