Fans watch Game 2 on stage at ESPN NBA Finals watch party. (Jon Mecca/ESPN Images)
NEW YORK — NBA legends? Check. Hip-hop music? Check. Customized Finals t-shirts? Check. Photos with the NBA 75 ball? Check. Victory goggles, gift bags, electric atmosphere? Check, check and check.
Oh, and the 2022 NBA Finals Game 2 on giant-sized TVs? One last check, there, too.
The NBA and ESPN’s official Game 2 watch party had all of this and more to satisfy New Yorkers’ basketball-sized appetites. Which begs the question: does it get any bigger than the NBA in NYC?
“New York has always been the Mecca,” said Detroit Pistons legend Richard “Rip” Hamilton, who attended the event. “To do an event like this where the weather is warm and there’s water in the background. It’s an incredible experience for fans.”
A performance on-stage at the watch party event. (Jessica Alcheh/ESPN Images)
To celebrate this year’s NBA Finals, the NBA and ESPN hosted a Finals Game 2 watch party live from the Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City. The event was hosted by ESPN’s Molly Qerim and DJ Envy, and featured musical performances by DJ Clue, Lil Poppa, Bas, Mozzy, Moneyman, Moneybagg Yo and Yo Gotti. Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry and Hamilton, who won a title in Detroit in 2004, also made appearances.
Horry said an event like this in New York is special for both him as well as the fans.
“For me, I won my first championship against the Knicks [in 1994],” Horry said with a laugh. “New York is always a special part of me. The NBA hub is here. The NBA offices are here. It’s always fun to come to New York and do these events, especially since New York people think they are the kings and queens of basketball.”
The event host, Molly Qerim (right) on-stage at the watch party event. (Jessica Alcheh/ESPN Images)
Qerim grew up in the tri-state area and is a fan of the New York teams. She said there is a passion and energy of New York fans that matches the passion and energy of the city. Qerim’s goal for the event was simple: for everyone to have a good time.
“It’s the NBA Finals. There is nothing better in terms of the excitement, the fans, the culmination and the hard-work. To have ESPN’s partnership with the NBA, and have everyone here to celebrate. I just hope we have an incredible game,” Qerim said.
Based on the oohs and aahs coming from the crowd during each possession of the game — as well as the lines for the various fan experiences — it was clear the event was a success.
“Seeing a game at home is one thing, but seeing a game at a rooftop in New York City with a view of Brooklyn Bridge is an incredible environment,” said Akshay Mohan, a fan in attendance rooting for the Celtics.
To a Warriors fan known as “Gucci,” his favorite part of the event was seeing the “other side.”
“Being able to compete from a fan perspective here is awesome,” Gucci said. “I had a moment earlier when I was cheering for the Warriors, and a Celtics fan was booing me. Then on the next play, the reverse happened. You can’t match this energy anywhere else.”
Fans playing basketball at the watch party event. (Jon Mecca/ESPN Images)
In addition for fans to express their love of the game, the event also both allowed Horry and Hamilton to reflect on how special it was to play in the Finals and win an NBA title.
NBA legends Robert Horry (left) and Rip Hamilton on-stage at watch party event. (Jessica Alcheh/ESPN Images)
“[The Finals] took me from being a normal guy to a household name,” Hamilton said. “Once you become a champion, that legacy lasts forever. It’s almost like you’re dreaming everyday since that moment. I used to pinch myself, and still can’t believe it till this day.”
“In the game of basketball, especially in the Finals, you never know what’s going to happen,” Horry added. “The underdogs win. The superstars shine. The guy you thought was too old to play steps-up and gives you one defining moment. The NBA is probably the best sport in that way.”
Qerim added she thinks this year’s Finals is extra special given it is the NBA’s 75th anniversary.
“Dealing with the pandemic and having fans back in stadiums and arenas is tremendous. With the 75th anniversary, there have been so many storylines in celebrating those legends and the NBA’s 75 years as a league. It’s been such an exciting year for us on ‘First Take’ just covering it,” she said.
A fan wears victory goggles that were given out as party favors. (Jessica Alcheh/ESPN Images)
As for series predictions, Qerim says the Celtics will in in 6 while Horry has the Celtics in 7. But Hamilton believes the Warriors will win it in 6.
No matter who wins or loses, Horry said most of all he hopes an event like this can pay homage to the NBA fans who love the game.
“The NBA is really good at giving back and going out of their way to appreciate their fans. We know with no fans, there is no NBA,” Horry said. “For me, playing on four different teams in four different places, anytime there is an event that gives back to the community I try to be involved with it.”
The Warriors tied the series 1-1 after defeating the Celtics on home territory in Game 2. For Game 3, the series heads to Boston (9 ET, ABC).
