Heaven is a Watch Party
Read my latest essay for Luz Films Mag on the New York Knicks watch parties & gathering around what we love
For Luz Films Mag, I shared how the magic of the New York Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years wasn’t found in Celebrity Row; it was in the watch parties scattered all over the city—and that same magic of carving out spaces to gather around what we love is what brings life to our respective communities.
Big thanks to Taylor Lewis for inviting me to contribute to this pivotal publication centered on the future of cinema. I’m such a big fan of what Taylor is up to, and I’m honored to lend my words to what she’s building. Come for my essay and stay for the beautiful pieces of art featured throughout.
A preview:
I’ve long known Madison Square Garden to be a magical place.
For five years, until Michael Jordan became majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets (then Bobcats), the basketball legend hosted his high school all star game, the Jordan Brand Classic, at MSG. During one of its final years at the hailed arena, my dad took me to the game on a whim. A huge basketball nerd, I jumped at the chance to see names I’d read in Slam Magazine like Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, and Brandon Jennings.
As if the miracles aimed to one-up each other, my uncle somehow spotted us from across the venue and floated a possible opportunity to meet His Airness, the one and only MJ. It felt like an impossibility — a pipe dream! — until my uncle pulled us from our seats at halftime, while Wale performed “Nike Boots” at center court no less, and led us to a private elevator.
As the doors opened, we were met with a long-limbed, baby-faced passenger who couldn’t be anyone but Kevin Durant. A couple nights earlier, the soon-to-be Rookie of the Year had closed out his first NBA season on a win against the Golden State Warriors and a then-career-high 42 points. My dad and uncle made small talk with the 19-year-old until we reached our floor.
Moments later, we walked into a dimly lit room full of people and, before I could fully process that MJ was lounging on a couch toward the back, I spotted Vince Carter and Rudy Gay. The basketball nerd in me could hardly contain himself. I got their autographs while my cousin, who was named after MJ, devised his plan to meet Black Jesus.
My nerves got the best of me and I stayed back while Jordan took my program for MJ to autograph. He got up soon after and met my hand as he exited the room. Another miracle as I finally touched the hem of his robe.
So yes, I’ve long understood MSG as a magical place—and the miracles continued in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals as the New York Knicks fought their way back from a 29-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs on a last-second tip-in from OG Anunoby.
On a night where Taylor Swift, donning a blue and orange Stevie “Knicks” t-shirt, hugged and twirled around Law and Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, it’s easy to believe MSG was the center of the world. But I’d argue it wasn’t even the center of New York.
The rest of my essay includes:
Thoughts on pricing people out of cultural experiences
Friends I get to witness bringing people together in Columbus
Where the real magic lies
Click through to Luz Films Mag to read the full essay (and if you want to share it with your people, please share the Luz Films Mag link).
P.S. In case you missed it, my latest newsletter essay honors the life and legacy of poet and journalist Tomás Miriti Pacheco. I’m grateful our lives intersected during his time here.
For Tomás
What do I make of my living? My still being here. As a man, as a husband, as a writer. It often feels like we lose the ones who are larger than life, the lives mine could only hold for a time. But in those shared moments, I got to see them for the giants they are.…
Thank you!
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