With the Liberty Outdoor Classic just days away on July 19, the buzz for this monumental event keeps building and building. Here is the latest on what some athletes and celebrities who stopped by The Garden to watch the Liberty battle this summer, are saying about this historic occasion ...

Ron Artest, Sacramento Kings
“That’s going to be off the chains. Obviously you can’t play everyday, because you’ve got to preserve your knees, but they should do that in the NBA. Playing outside, that’s a dream right there. That would be a dream. You’ve got to give a lot of credit and props to the commisioner of the WNBA, Donna Orender for letting it happen. It’s going to be unbelievable.”

Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks
“It’s the first time anything like this has ever happened, so it’s really a big deal. Especially being in New York, a big street ball city with Rucker Park and West Fourth Street, it’s going to be a lot of fun to see that translate to pro ball. I think its going to be really cool.”

Mardy Collins, New York Knicks
“It’s going to be good not only for the league, but for professional basketball itself. It’s something different. It’s good to switch the routine up, and to do something like this like hockey has done, I think it’s going to do a lot for basketball and be good for the league."

Kym Hampton, New York Liberty Legend
“This whole thing is just – wow! Anytime you do anything that is the first time, I think it is historic. You are a pioneer of it, and the originator. I’m just glad its happening in New York, because it’s an incredible market with fantastic fans who will appreciate how special that day is going to be. It’s going to be awesome, and hopefully it will take the Liberty and the WNBA to the next level.”

Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
“With the history of Mr. Ashe and Billie Jean King, it’s going to be a very historic and important event. To have that first game outside, that's pretty hot! I'm excited. It’s going to be like a Rucker game, so it’s going to be really exciting. There’s going to be a lot of people there. It should have a great turnout, and there will be a lot of happy faces. It’s going to be a beautiful day.”

C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers University Women’s Head Basketball Coach and Hall of Famer
“I think it’s going to be great. Tammy Sutton Brown (for Indiana) is going to be there, and Essence (Carson) of course will be there, so that mean’s I’ll be there too! But I think it’s great to experiment with different venues and to expose everyone to the opportunity to play in a first class situation. Those are the things I paid attention to right away.”

Corey Webster, New York Giants
“That sounds like it’s going to be crazy. They’re going to bring back some street ball, like how it all started. I think that’s going to be real big.”

Sue Wicks, New York Liberty Legend
“I’m so excited about it. Anytime they play in a venue like that, like when we played at Radio City Music Hall, it’s so exciting, and I’m sure its going to be so exciting for the players and fans. When I played Europe we played occasionally outdoors, but this is really the first in the American game, and to play in a place like Arthur Ashe Stadium with it’s history, it’s amazing. I can’t wait.”

Marcus Williams, New Jersey Nets
“It sounds like it’s going to be fun. It’s something that will be new to the game, so maybe if it goes well and there’s a good attendance, then maybe they’ll do it in the NBA.”

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