Exclusive | Ex-San Antonio mayor now lives in NYC and roots for Knicks but admits his heart is with one team
A former San Antonio mayor who moved to New York a decade ago said he loves the Knicks — but admitted his “heart is with the Spurs.”Bill Thornton, the mayor of San Antonio from 1995 to 1997, moved to Manhattan in 2013 and has a home inside the The Continental building — within walking distance of Madison Square Garden.“We can hear the crowds outside MSG from our windows,” said Thornton, who is also the resident representative on the board of the 34th Street Partnership Business Improvement District.The native Texan attended Spurs games as mayor and witnessed the team’s dynasty as they racked up five NBA championships, including defeating the Knicks in 1999.Thornton first gave a dodgy politically correct answer when asked where his allegiance now lies, telling The Post in an interview, “I’m for both teams.I can’t lose.”But after prodding, he said, “If anyone asks where my heart is, it’s with the Spurs.”The ex-San Antonio leader underwent knee surgery and did not see Monday’s game and said he did not know enough to comment on the controversy surrounding Spurs 7-foot-4 inch center Victor Wembanyama shoving Knicks captain Jalen Brunson, which many Knicks complained was an uncalled flagrant foul.“I don’t think Wemby is a dirty player.
I hope not.He’s so tall that his elbow is at the level of everyone else’s head,” he said.The Spurs are the only major professional sports team in San Antonio and fans are passionate about them.“The Spurs are the diamond in the diamond ring,” Thornton, 81, said.He recalled a trip to Israel, when the mayor of Jerusalem asked him, “Say hello to “The Admiral!” — the nickname given to Spurs Hall of Fame center David Robinson, who served in the Navy.But Thornton said he’s become a Knicks fan since moving to the Big Apple, and he refers to Brunson as “Mr.
Clutch.”The team is battle tested and plays well together, featuring three players who were teammates on the Villanova University NCAA...