Washington Wizards Deni Avdija's Comments On DC Sports Fan Culture

Playing in DC can be tough and so can being a fan of DC Sports

Playing for the Nation's Capital can be a gift and a curse. It’s the home of so many Americans from different parts of the world. It's not unusual to go to a sporting event for any of the Washington professional teams (Commanders, Wizards, Nationals, Capitals, Mystics, DC United, Spirit) and see the opposing team's fans filling the stands. 

CHECK OUT THE FEATURED VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICLE.

Particularly at Washington Commanders and Wizards games, the away team fans almost always fill the seats. For Commanders fans it's been 30 years since the team has won anything on the championship level. For the Wizards, it's been even longer. It's been since 1978 that the team won a championship. With the lack of winning at a high level for these teams, it opens the door to their games being opportunities for the away team to have a consistent cheering squad in the District.

While this is the norm playing in DC, for players, however, it can be quite unusual seeing so many fans rooting against the home team. 

Friday, November 17, the Washington Wizards took on the New York Knicks in another In-Season Tournament game. The Knicks went on to win the game 120-99. Toward the end of the fourth quarter, Knicks fans in attendance started to chant "Let's Go Knicks" 

“Let’s go Knicks” chant breaks out at Capital One Arena….. pic.twitter.com/Yh5eucvhLf

— Inside The Wizards on Fan Nation (@InsidetheWiz) November 18, 2023

In the after game press conference, Inside the Wizards Staff Writer BreAnna Holmes asked Wizards forward Deni Avdija about the Knicks fans chanting, here is his response:

I asked Deni Avdija what’s going through his mind when fans started cheering “Let’s Go Knicks” at tonight’s game

Deni: “It Just Gets Me Angry” pic.twitter.com/puB4ewA1cR

— BreAnna (@vidsbybre) November 18, 2023

Hearing Avdija's response to Holmes' question, makes one wonder how many other players feel the same way. Naturally, fans will say, if they gave us something to cheer about, we will come to the games and cheer. 

Perhaps some time in the future, the Wizards can give the city something to cheer about.