‘Fugazy’-free: Knicks-Nets a real rivalry from now on
Yankees-Mets. Islanders-Rangers. Rangers-Devils. Giants-Jets.
Each of the above-mentioned local pro sports rivalries conjure memories of iconic moments, be it the Yanks and Mets colliding in the 2000 Subway Series, the Islanders and Rangers bloodying the ice during the Stanley Cup playoffs throughout the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s or the Blueshirts and Devils staging two very memorable Eastern Conference finals, including one earlier this year that saw New Jersey stun the Rangers en route to the Finals.
Even the Jets and Giants, who spent most of the past four decades peacefully co-existing — in the same stadium, no less — saw their rivalry intensify to a fever pitch last winter, thanks in most part to the trash-talking of Jets coach Rex Ryan, who was burnt badly by Victor Cruz’s memorable 90-yard touchdown sprint on Christmas Eve, a play that ultimately spurred Big Blue to its latest Super Bowl title in February.