Bill Simmons Credit: Awful Announcing

Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks commenced Tuesday night. The pro-Knicks crowd that gathered at Madison Square Garden rocked The World’s Most Famous Arena and the Knicks rolled to victory over the Pacers.

But while the game proceeded, a well-known hoops personality emerged with comments that stirred everyone up. Bill Simmons, former ESPN columnist, and founder of The Ringer, and noted Boston Celtics fan, commented on the proceedings. It’s safe to say those comments weren’t all received well.

“Tonight on TNT, Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers take on Scott Foster and the New York Knicks!” Simmons posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.

Controversial NBA referee Scott Foster officiated Tuesday night’s game between the Knicks and Pacers.

How you felt about Simmons’ comments had much to do with whether you were rooting for the Knicks. Or, in some other cases, if you were rooting against the Celtics. Some likely read his comments as coming off like a hater. If Boston finishes the deal against Cleveland, and if the Knicks win Game 6, then they’ll tangle in the Eastern Conference Finals. So, he has every reason to ‘hate’ right now. It’s not like the Red Sox fan has any reason to hate New York, after all.

Many around the sports world chimed in on what Simmons had to say.

[Bill Simmons]

About Chris Novak

Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022