Once adored by New York Knicks supporters, Kristaps Porzingis was booed loudly on Saturday when he made his way back to Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y.

As soon as Porzingis was named to the starting lineup for the Celtics, the jeers started.

The Latvian big dismissed the hecklers and played a terrific game as the Celtics defeated the Knicks 116-102. Porzingis scored 22 points on 7/11 shooting to rank as the second-leading scorer for the Celtics. Against his previous squad, he also recorded four assists and four rebounds.

Porzingis acknowledged that he now enjoys the jeers rather than being overcome by the hate. During the postgame press conference on Saturday, the star of the Celtics openedly discussed the abuse he was receiving from the people who used to adore him.

To be honest, I like it. [The jeers] decreased while I was living in Washington. With me playing for the Celtics and our rivalry with the Knicks, I think things have picked back up a little.

Porzingis went on to say that he values emotions of any kind over apathy. Instead of being ignored by the crowd that fills the stands to watch Porzingis and the Celtics play, he would rather to hear something, whether it be jeers or applause.

The former All-Star has performed admirably in his debut year with the Celtics. Porzingis has averaged 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and a career-high 52.7% field goal shooting percentage in 42 games played so far.

Considering their respective positions in the rankings, the Knicks and Celtics may meet in the postseason. Should the postseason matchup happen, Porzingis’s detractors will probably become unbearable.