(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
In some parts of the country with heavy traffic or a lot to do in the city, sporting events can take a backseat or be places that no one is in a rush to get to, like in Los Angeles and Miami.
With that being the case, the stands in places like Crypto.com Arena and Kaseya Center might not be packed to the brim as some would expect when games get underway for the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat.
This was recently pointed out by Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who is used to playing in front of the diehard fans of his team who keep the stands full at Paycom Center.
Holmgren took a lot of heat — no pun intended — when he said he likes playing in Miami because the arena is practically empty until near the end of the game.
With the rising star receiving a lot of grief from Heat fans for his take, the Thunder big man clapped back and clarified his comments.
“Y’all get mad when NBA players never have anything to say to media, but then chop our quotes up to get reactions. I was saying the seats r empty until the 4th quarter when fans come back from the lounges after a few drinks, and the atmosphere is great for close games. It’s actually a compliment,” Holmgren wrote on social media.
Y’all get mad when nba players never have anything to say to media, but then chop our quotes up to get reactions. I was saying the seats r empty until the 4th quarter when fans come back from the lounges after a few drinks and the atmosphere is great for close games. Its actually… https://t.co/jkq5Fp0WvY
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) July 18, 2024
These days, athletes are better off saying nothing at all, as words can be twisted, misunderstood and taken out of context, but there also are instances when they can lean on things being distorted in order to get out of saying something they shouldn’t have.
Holmgren likely will think twice before saying anything that can be taken the wrong way, especially as he continues to ascend as a rising star in the NBA as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s sidekick in Oklahoma City.
The post Young NBA Star Defends His Comments About Miami Heat Fans appeared first on The Cold Wire.