Rasho Brezec wrote:I get it, it's the same everywhere, this is not a NY thing. If anything, fans in the US are tame and civilized compared to the rest of the world. You had people burning Lebron jerseys when he bolted to Miami, and most people laughed at that. In Europe, players have their families threatened if they transfer to the wrong team. They get spat on, have coins and lighters thrown at them during the game. I even saw a cellphone land on the court one time.
I just think it's pointless to get worked up about it. He got what he wanted, Knicks got what they wanted, it's over. No need to make it personal when it really isn't.
It'll be best when everyone moves on, but Porzingis' actions since he came here are what makes this personal to NYC.
It's not about his petulant attitude, immaturity, or passive aggression. Those are annoying and a potential harbinger of worse to come, but not what made this "personal", IMO.
What did that was the way Kristaps clung to NYC mannerisms and style in public in order to ingratiate himself to fans and boost his image. I think most people cringed a little, but in the end loved it - or even tolerated it - because he was "our guy" and it showed he wanted to be here.
I'm talking about him using social media to pose with Timbs on, calling people "b", and using "deadass" and "facts" unironically. That might seem like inconsequential stuff to you, but those are highly specific cultural things to NYC that don't matter much beyond "yo, this dude is a cornball" at worst if you think the guy is harmless or on your side, but once he gets petty, disruptive, and attempts to dictate to you while checking out of the city it's going to justifiably spawn vitriol.
You were out here not getting checked on your foreign-kid-in-NYC routine because you held an important position and really seemed to be trying hard to be a part of things. It was cute that someone from such a different culture came to the bright lights and appeared to be going all in on the experience. But when it turns out that it was mostly fraudulent then yeah, the bill comes due and it's personal for a while - if not forever.
Then on the way out you use "stay woke" - again, unironically - you're going to get rightfully slaughtered by the city. You are not one of us, you are not part of this. It's time to move on to appropriating "y'all", "fixin'", "right quick", and "bless your heart".