Kylie Jenner’s Knicks fandom has coincided with an electric playoff run for the team, but not everybody is willing to call her a good luck charm.
“Come on, now,” former Knick Chris Childs told TMZ Sports on Thursday, May 15, when asked if he thought the reality star’s presence has given the team a boost. “That’s reaching a little too far.”
Jenner, 27, was courtside with boyfriend and Knicks superfan Timothée Chalamet, for the Knicks’ Game 4 victory over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday, May 12.
“The Knicks just have a good team,” Childs, 57, argued. “If anybody’s a good luck charm it’s the players on the court. It’s Jalen [Brunson] and Josh [Hart] and all the other guys that are good luck charms. They’re the ones that have to get out there and get the job done.”
Childs played five seasons for the Knicks between 1996 and 2001. He also played for the New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors before retiring in 2003.
While Childs praised Chalamet, 29, for his Knicks obsession, he also balked at the idea that the actor’s should be used in the same breath as noted Knicks diehard Spike Lee.
“He’s only been around a couple years,” Childs said of Chalamet. “People get a hold of certain things and start making comparisons. Spike’s been there for, what, 30 years now? That guy, he has a long way to go. But I’m glad he’s there soaking it all in because, from what I’ve seen, he’s a great actor.”
He added, “This does a lot for your brand, being there. Knicks front row, being seen, being on TV and being the boyfriend of one of the Jenners. So, we’ll see.”
While Childs’ hesitated on comparing Chalamet and Lee, 68, former Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire had no problem with it.
“He’s hardcore,” Stoudemire, 42, told TMZ Sports of Chalamet on Tuesday, May 13. “He’s like the next Spike Lee when it comes to Knicks diehard fans, you know what I’m saying? We appreciate that because, as players, we play our hearts out. We give the game our everything. To see fans who really appreciate that goes a long way.”
Stoudemire, who played 4 seasons for the Knicks from 2011 to 2014, added, “He’s the next one in line for sure.”
In addition to Lee, Chalamet and Jenner joined a parade of regular Knicks faithful like Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller and Susie Essman, who were all courtside for Game 4.
Game 6 between the Knicks and Celtics tips off at 8 pm ET at Madison Square Garden.
