Go New York Go New York Go

When I was 21, I moved to New York City. Last month, I turned 32. 

I grew up outside of Pittsburgh and I’ve always told people that I bleed black and gold—a reference to the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, our football, hockey, and baseball teams respectively. 

But Pittsburgh doesn’t have a basketball team.

For a while, I had some allegiance to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a result of loving someone from the city and having nobody else fighting for the NBA spot. But as that relationship ended and as I kept resigning leases in Manhattan, I casually, loosely, quietly assumed the New York Knicks.

Eight years ago, I took my brother to a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden for his birthday and even from the nosebleeds, I had a blast experiencing my first game.

Over the past month, as the 2026 New York Knicks have gone on a tear through the finals (and after having swept my formerly loved Cavs), I’ve watched the city turn uniform.

The day after a win, walking through my neighborhood felt like walking through the dance floor at a wedding. You don’t necessarily know everyone, but you’re all on board for the same reason—you love the couple and you are ready to celebrate.

I’m a plus one to this wedding. A millennial transplant who landed in New York City a decade ago and fell in love. A kid who wasn’t sure where she wanted to go but got adopted by a big, messy, beautiful, city full of passionate, hardworking, and—despite what some media will tell you—very, very kind people. 

A trip took me out of New York on Thursday so I’ve lived my series championship through the pictures and videos my friends and family have shared of the city. The fireworks. The neighbors projecting the game onto the sides of buildings. The crowded parks for outdoor viewing. The camaraderie. The smiling at strangers. The unifying force of something to believe in. 

This is sports at their best. 

To the lifelong fans—thank you for making room on your wagon for everyone. Congratulations.

If anyone asks, I still bleed black and gold… just with extra drops of blue and orange.