New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh received a lot of love at Madison Square Garden during Game 2 of Knicks vs. Hawks.
Robert Saleh has officially been baptized. No, it has nothing to do with a splash of water on Sunday. Instead, the New York Jets head coach has been birthed to New York City, Madison Square Garden style.
Some of the city’s newcomer traditions include first pitch at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field, a presentation at City Hall (see Brett Favre circa 2008), and, of course, big-screen recognition while attending a New York Knicks or New York Rangers game at The World’s Most Famous Arena.
The fine people at the Garden recognized Saleh Wednesday night during the Knicks’ Game 2 opening-round NBA playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.
Jets coach Robert Saleh gets some face time at tonight’s @nyknicks game — and a nice ovation from the @TheGarden crowd. #Jets 📷@FraneyESPN pic.twitter.com/E7LCixetwZ
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 27, 2021
Coach at the Garden!!
Let’s go, @nyknicks!!! pic.twitter.com/yyAW7Ue3Pt
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 27, 2021
The newest Jets head coach was in attendance for a rare occurrence: a Knicks postseason victory.
After falling down early, trailing 13 at halftime, the Knicks busted out in the third quarter. Suddenly, Manhattan’s basketball team couldn’t miss from the perimeter. It was, as some would say, “All Gas, No Brake” from that point forward.
New York’s 101-92 win over Trae Young’s Hawks now sends the series to Atlanta with the teams having taken one game apiece.
Jets fans are hoping what Tom Thibodeau did for the Knicks this season is the same thing they’ll see with the Jets in 2021. For fans of both teams, the difference Thibodeau made in helping turn the Knicks around after so many porous years should resemble a vision for Saleh and the Jets moving forward.
It’s official: Robert Saleh has been properly introduced to Manhattan. The only thing left is the Bronx, Queens and, only if there’s enough time, Brooklyn.