…How about a wagon? The Knicks’ bandwagon has room to spare. It always has room to spare! Come sit next to me (it just won’t be at this Knicks watch party.) Then again, the Spurs are the youngest NBA finals squad ever. Choices, choices. Just make yours before 8:30 p.m. Eastern!

WFH is old news. Now, it’s all about WFB (Work From Bar), thanks to Stella Artois. For the duration of the World Cup, the Belgian beer brand is allowing New Yorkers to expense their drinks on matchdays from local bars. Stella Artois, if you are reading this, I love your work. And I will be participating. Don’t tell my boss, who is surely reading this right now. 

“The Baklava Guy outside of Knicks game is finally getting the attention he deserves.” -A real sentence I said today. Basically, his deal is baklava. Outside of MSG. Read more here. 

Natalie Nakase said the Valkyries was poly. Well, kinda. According to Maya Goldberg-Safir of the “Rough Notes” Substack, the WNBA doesn’t have true rivalries the way other sports do. Because everyone’s your enemy when no one’s your friend. 

Thanks to the big names like Sinner and Alcaraz, men’s tennis has always been fun. But thanks to their absences from most (and all) of the French Open, along with early adieus from such big names as Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz, men’s tennis has been arguably more fun, in an unhinged way, at least. Flavio Cobolli forever. 

“Go Off” is a special edition of our daily newsletter, featuring my thoughts, takes, and general vibes, presented to OffBall readers every Wednesday.

This week, there was so much discussion on social media about whether Americans should root for the USMNT in the World Cup. I love an international competition, and even though I wouldn't describe myself as super patriotic in most settings, I am a devout supporter of Team USAs of all types. I’m sorry if that somehow rubs you the wrong way (lol), but let me give some context, then I’ll explain why I think the American thing to do is to be fully bought into the USMNT.  

I believe the conversation all began thanks to the above tweet (no shade to the Tweeter), and it got me thinking. 

Are Americans resistant to supporting American men because the team sometimes underperforms and we feel they should be punished for that? Sometimes I hear people say “they’re so bad, it’s embarrassing” or whatever. To me, that logic doesn’t track. The very people who shame fair-weather fans are going to shame a team because they aren’t the best in the world? Do we have some God-given right to being the cream of the crop of every sport? Nay! Have we only the capacity to care about a sport that is intrinsically American, like baseball or the NFL? Naur! 

One of our favorite pastimes is projecting a hard, gritty demeanor in every situation possible. And historically, there’s little we love more than an underdog story. We even love pretending we’re the underdog. How often has someone like Tom Brady or LeBron said “no one believed in us”? 

Plus, when it comes to Team USA basketball (men’s, women’s), or Team USA hockey (again men’s, women’s) the entire country rallies around them. What is it about giving American soccer the same treatment that feels in opposition to our core values? Nothing, I say! Got ‘em!!! 

And maybe the haters are apprehensive about rooting for the home team because of politics. There I say heresy, once more!

No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, I’ve got bad news about who some of your athletes align themselves with politically. Mostly, athletes barely know politics exist. And there’s a chance, regardless of your persuasion, their politics are not your politics, anyways. Whether that makes you happy or frustrated, it’s true. 

And if your final argument, because I have ripped your other two to shreds with my ironclad logic, is that they are boring, well… I can help with that. I’ve got storylines for you. I’ll even stop being mean for the duration of this newsletter.

First up, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. The son of Gregg Berhalter (who is a polarizing figure, I agree) is a blast on the mic (and by that I mean in interviews, but also in karaoke and on TikTok). 

Midfielder Gio Reyna and defender Joe Scally go way back like car seats and spinal cords. Their chemistry is off the charts this year, especially, because they play together for German football club, Borussia Monchengladbach (please don’t spell check me on that). Even their dogs are best friends.  

Center back Chris Richards might not play because he’s nursing an injury, but he’s on the roster, and his fits will make an appearance one way or another. He’s very funny, too. 

Is it boring that forward Tim Weah and midfielder Weston McKennie have gone on the record multiple times to start beef with Italian and French people about their food? While they played in those countries, nonetheless? I think not. That’s one of the bravest (most insane) things you can do.  

And if you’re searching for some intensity, defender Antonee Robinson has got it for you. He can also do this??? 

If nothing else, support them for the Virgil Abloh Archive fits. 

This week, in my NYC studio, my hot yoga teacher told me to channel the Knicks’ persevering spirit, to be fueled by the doubters just like Jalen Brunson. A flight attendant on my husband’s flight into the City last night boldly proclaimed: “Welcome to New York, Knicks in 4.” One friend told me her musician girlfriend has a show during Friday’s Game 2, and the group chat shed a collective tear for her. Another friend sent me a screenshot of a message board for Upper East Side moms searching far and wide for tickets. 

Go for a 15-minute walk and you will receive no less than five unsolicited “Go Knicks” greetings. I tried to explain to my friends in Portland why I’m all in on the Knicks (aside from my husband having gone to Villanova) and they all called me a traitor. A bar on the UES is hedging their entire Game 1 night’s take on a Kalshi bet. Subway stations are painted blue and orange; Timbs hang from lightposts. 

This is what New York is right now. You wouldn’t even know Game 1 is in San Antonio. 

And it’s not like San Antonio isn’t showing out right now. 

It’s the silly little guys, the poets, the “dumplings come to life,” the guys watching horror movies to unwind versus the hustle guys, the heart guys, the-carrying-the-weight-of-the-most-anticipatory-city-in-history on their shoulders guys. 

The Knicks’ Jordan Clarkson is from San Antonio, the Spurs’ Julian Champagnie is from Brooklyn (which means we legally have to call him Prosecco). Both want to rip the heart out of their hometowns. 

Even before we’ve tipped off, these NBA Finals feel like history. And no matter what happens tonight, no matter which team Jeremy Sochan gets his ring for, from the Riverwalk to Riverside park, you can feel how much this means.