Appropriately enough, 19-year-old Latvian hoop-dreamer Kristaps Porzingis got a proper Bronx cheer to welcome him to his new home.
The New York Knicks took Porzingis fourth overall in Thursday night's NBA Draft in Brooklyn, and were promptly met with a stew of anguish and outrage from their fans, who rained boos down on Porzingis at the Barclays Center.
[seealso url = "http://sale-online.click/2015/06/25/nba-draft-prospects-emoji/"]
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the Knicks' selection of Porzingis right around 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night. Let's check in on how Knicks fans reacted.
These guys were both bitter and bemused:
This kid may have been laying it on a little thick, but he was clearly not happy either:
On Twitter, schadenfreude reigned supreme.
Knicks draft Kristaps Porzingis. Spike Lee, on set of ``Chiraq,'' finds out. ``Got him on suicide watch,'' says source.— Rick Telander (@ricktelander) June 26, 2015
Knicks fans are gonna Porzingis one out for the 2015-16 season.— Tas Melas (@TasMelas) June 26, 2015
Knicks take Kristaps Porzingis. Because of COURSE they do. They are the Knicks. HAHAHHA I LOVE IT— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) June 26, 2015
Cannot wait to hear Knicks fans freak out when the Porzingis pick is announced. One of the great pleasures in being a sports fan these days.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 26, 2015
Why the lack of love? Here's some history. Germany's Dirk Nowitzki and Spain's Pau Gasol became the first two European players picked in the NBA lottery in 1998 and 2001, respectively. They both became All-Stars, both were key pieces of championship teams and Nowitzki even has an MVP trophy.
Since Gasol was picked in 2001, however, 16 European players have been lottery selections -- 0 have become All-Stars.
The Knicks' own history of picking international players comes into play here, too. Porzingis is the Knicks' fourth international first-rounder. The three before him: Danilo Gallinari of Italy, who has not lived up to expectations; Nene Hilario of Brazil, who became a solid player for other teams; and Frederic Weis of France, who washed out completely.
So can the young Latvian fare any better? Scouts tout him as having an aggressive edge, fluid athleticism and a natural jump-shot. But similar things were said about the 16 European lottery picks who came between him and Gasol.
One thing is certain: At just 19 and needing to add strength and experience, we won't know whether Porzingis was a great pick or a total dud for at least a few years.
But if he can live up to his much-hyped potential, plenty of angry Knicks fans will owe him a belated apology.