Wednesday’s Eastern Conference Finals opener at Madison Square Garden will tip off a showdown years in the making, yet another chapter in the storied New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers rivalry.
New York secured its berth with a decisive 119-81 Game 6 victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics, while Indiana punched its ticket by ousting the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.
The series marks the Knicks’ first conference finals appearance since 2000 and rekindles memories of past battles, including Reggie Miller’s heroics at the Garden.
But Monday's bombshell shifted the spotlight off the hardwood and into the studio.
New York Basketball posted on X that Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green will join Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson as a fill-in analyst on Inside the NBA’s live broadcasts for Games 1 and 2 in New York.
The news has since generated a ton of buzz off the court.
One fan replied, "So we gotta listen to Reggie during the games and Draymond after?"
Another commenter said, "I don’t think anyone asked for this @NBA."
One other user commented, "Great - Knick hater #3 on the call," to which another replied, "I see they’ve assembled the Knicks hater avengers."
One fan said, "NOOOOO TFF HE WILL NOT," while another user replied, "Small chance I was watching it before and now for sure it ain’t gonna happen."
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23).
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Since being drafted 35th overall in 2012 by the Warriors, Green has amassed four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) and earned four All-Star nods (2016-2018, 2022).
Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in league history, Green captured Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017 and has been named to the All-Defensive First Team eight times.