On draft night, they booed him. It's essentially a time-honored tradition and right of passage for New York Knicks rookies as they hear the NBA commissioner announce their name.
Then, Kristaps Porzingis blossomed into the unicorn that captured the hearts and imagination of New York City. They envisioned him attracting another star talent, perhaps even two, and leading their beloved Knicks to their first championship since the 70s.
But that didn't happen.
Instead, a knee injury left both sides with a sour taste, leading to Porzingis getting traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Upon returning, the boos could be merciless. Joining their rivals in Boston amplified that.
But as Porzingis readies for a second-round series against the franchise that there were once hopes of him returning to prominence, he insists that time has calmed emotions.
"I always love playing there," voiced the former All-Star Saturday at the Auerbach Center. "My first couple games were pretty crazy there, getting booed and stuff, but I think now, the time has passed," continued Porzingis.
"From that perspective, it's whatever. But I love playing there, honestly. A lot of people that come to the games, I remember them from my first few years in the league, and I have a great relationship with them. I say hi to them before the game and talk some stuff throughout the game, and it's always fun to go up against them."
Celtics excited to experience Boston vs. New York playoff series
The second-round clash between the Celtics and Knicks represents a chance for those on both sides to experience one of the greatest and most fierce rivalries in sports, Boston against New York, in a playoff setting, where it reaches a fever pitch. It's a legacy-enhancing opportunity.
"I could ask the same thing," Porzingis retorted when asked about managing emotions while performing on a playoff stage at Madison Square Garden. "They're going to have to come to Boston and experience this. Maybe ask them this question. We have the experience, and, of course, it's going to be a big stage," continued Porzingis.
"It's going to be fun. It's just going to add more to the whole thing. And New York fans are always great. Boston fans are always super invested and there to support their team. Even between the fan bases, it's going to be a war. Even the videos that they put out and stuff with the fans, it's fun, and it makes the rivalry even more fun as a fan and as a player."
Weighing in on the chance to experience this iconic rivalry in the postseason, Jaylen Brown, who said his recovery from his knee injury is "trending in the right direction," expressed, "It's a great stage for basketball. All [of] the history between Boston and New York. It's excellent to be able to live or relive in that. So, I don't take that for granted.
"I think a lot of people will be excited watching this series because of the history. So, it's our job to come out and put on a great performance and [to] take care of business. But it's definitely something to look back [on] and enjoy the platform that basketball delivers at this stage in the playoffs. Boston vs. New York -- it doesn't get too much better than that."