Knicks fans aren’t exactly nurturing towards rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs’ newcomer expressed confidence before his first NBA game at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, anticipating a larger arena than it turned out to be.
However, Wembanyama and San Antonio faced significant challenges under the bright lights of New York on Wednesday. During a trip to the free-throw line in the second half, Knicks fans seized the opportunity to taunt the No. 1 pick, unleashing a classic “overrated” chant.
The fans in the arena reveled in the Knicks’ substantial lead over the Spurs, wasting no time in giving Wembanyama a robust welcome to the Big Apple. By the end of the first half, the rookie had only managed to score two points, marking the first time in his brief NBA career that he failed to make a field goal before halftime.
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Despite Wembanyama’s confident statements about Madison Square Garden being the best basketball gym in the world, he admitted it wasn’t as large as expected, though the vibrant atmosphere was still present. Despite his pregame optimism, the 19-year-old struggled in his first road game in New York, with fans not holding back in their taunts.
“I heard from so many people that this is the best basketball gym in the world and I’m eager to find out,” the rookie said of Madison Square Garden before the game.
“It’s not as big as I expected, but the vibe is still there,” he added.
It looks like it might be a challenging season for Wembanyama, but rough nights are part of the learning process for a young basketball player on the rise.
