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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Earlier this week, two New York Knicks players drew backlash from Taylor Swift fans due to their comments that questioned the singer's support for the NBA team.
However, Knicks guard Tyler Kolek, who was among those questioning Swift's fandom, has since walked back his remarks. Along with that, he made a surprising admission about the singer's music.
The controversy started when Kolek and teammate Miles McBride appeared in an NBA 2K livestream shared on TikTok. When asked who he considered the "fakest" celebrity Knicks fan, Kolek suggested Swift. He said he hadn't seen the singer at too many of the games and called her support "a little performative."
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Once his comments began circulating through social media, the New York Knicks released a statement to TMZ defending Swift. The organization emphasized that the Grammy-winning singer has supported the franchise for years and has a longstanding relationship with their home venue, Madison Square Garden, in New York City.
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Following Saturday night's 109-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kolek addressed his previous comments about Swift. He explained that numerous people had sent him photos and other evidence of Swift's longtime support for the team.
"So, I wasn't up to date on my Taylor Swift Knicks fandom, so that's on me," Kolek said, according to The Athletic.
“[The video] was everywhere. Everybody saw it," he also said, adding, "But it is what it is. For me, it’s just a question that was asked to me that maybe I answered in the wrong way. I take that on the chin. But I love her music. We were just playing it five minutes ago, and I’m singing every word to every song. Nothing against her at all.”
Despite questioning Swift's fandom, Kolek revealed that he's actually a big fan of the singer's music and made a surprising claim.
"I probably know more songs than anybody else in the locker room," he said.
Adding to that unexpected twist, a video surfaced of Kolek singing along to a popular Swift song. While his enthusiasm is apparent, he probably shouldn't quit his day job playing basketball anytime soon.
One has to wonder if Kolek and the Knicks were being a little "performative" themselves, as the team played Swift's "Shake It Off" and "You Belong With Me" after Saturday's win over the Cavs. According to The Athletic, they also played her music after Friday's practice in New York City.
The singer was among the famous superfans who showed up to support the team during their NBA Finals run to the championship.
Swift was seen courtside at Madison Square Garden with "Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay at Game 4. The singer also wore a clever "Stevie Knicks" shirt featuring the team's orange and blue colors.
The Knicks went on to win the NBA Finals, 4-1, over the Western Conference's San Antonio Spurs, giving the team their third championship in team history and first since 1973.
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