Did you see 50 Cent, Fat Joe, and Joe Budden courtside at a recent Knicks game?? Two bitter rivals sat side by side under the Garden lights—no bodyguards, no cold shoulders. When 50 Cent and Joe Budden shared jokes courtside, it wasn’t just another celebrity cameo—it was a sign that MSG’s aura can thaw even the iciest feuds. Former New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony believes it, too. But celebrity unity is nothing new at the Garden—Melo knows that firsthand.

Fans long knew of Melo’s frosty relationship with Knicks owner James Dolan. During Melo’s arrival in 2011, he bristled at Dolan’s blockbuster trades. Dolan had a philosophy of shipping talent away to build New York’s roster around him. Melo and the New York Knicks‘ struggle in those circumstances was evident. Over the years, the two reportedly had some tension in their relationship. But they quelled any lingering tension when Melo visited MSG. 

And he believes that is due to MSG. “I f–k with that. I think it’s the love for the New York Knicks but I also think MSG is becoming the place where all the beefs get squashed because once you in there you can’t run from nobody else you can’t hide,” Melo said on 7PM in Brooklyn after he was asked about Budden and 50 Cent. 

After all, he ended the seemingly feuding with Dolan as well. Just a few days ago, Melo made an appearance at Madison Square Garden for one reason. His wine brand, VII(N) The Seventh Estate, partnered with the arena. While Dolans might have smoothed out all the tension between him and Melo, there’s one more thing that he might be worrying about.

As per the New York Post, MSG Networks is close to a deal with JPMorgan to reduce its $800 million debt to about $600 million so it can avoid going bankrupt. In return, Dolan would lower the fees MSGN pays for game rights, helping the network afford its payments. Industry insiders say the restructuring would pave the way for a YES Network merger. MSGN has been struggling financially because it overpaid for broadcasting rights years ago, and fewer people are watching cable now.

Speaking of the feuding, it was the Knicks owner’s decision during Melo’s trade that seemingly caused the tension in the first place.

What happened at the incident involving Carmelo Anthony and the heckler?

During a frustrating stretch in early March 2016, the Knicks had dropped 15 of their previous 18 games under interim coach Kurt Rambis, fueling tension in the Garden. On March 1, the Knicks suffered a 104–85 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden, and a fan seated just rows behind owner James Dolan began shouting “Melo, you guys suck! I’m not coming back!”

And at some point, he looked back and asked the fan to demand his money back from the owner. “He kept calling my name, saying ‘You guys suck,’ At that point I was trying to gather myself and I turned around, all I did was point at Dolan and told him, ‘Look, the owner’s right there. Ask for your money back,” Melo told the New York Daily News.

After a timeout, Anthony spun toward the stands, pointed at Dolan, and calmly replied, “Look, the owner’s right there. Ask for your money back.” Seconds later, MSG security escorted the suit-clad heckler out of the arena, a move captured on broadcast and confirming the fan’s abrupt removal.

While the fan certainly didn’t get his money back, Melo’s gesture was not taken lightly. The Knicks organization quickly issued a statement apologizing for the exchange and emphasizing that Anthony’s remark was not meant to alienate fans. Behind the scenes, Anthony later told ESPN that issuing the apology “was Mr. Dolan’s decision,” calling it a “collaborative effort” to smooth tensions between star and owner.

In the years since, what was once a flashpoint in the Melo–Dolan saga has given way to reconciliation. Anthony’s wine brand, VII(N) The Seventh Estate, now enjoys a sales partnership with Madison Square Garden itself. It’s a living proof that even the coldest feuds can thaw under the Garden lights.