(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
BY LAUREN ZIMA
Kris Humphries is having a rough week. First, the baller was booed by 20,000 fans as he took the court Wednesday night in Madison Square Garden. Here’s the video, via NBA.com.
(Booing)
“So, a bit of a chilly reception for Humphries. He just signed a one-year contract with the Nets.”
Humphries, of course, was infamously married to reality starlet Kim Kardashian for a very brief 72 days earlier this year. Media outlets were quick to compare when learning of his new $8 million contract -- here’s The Chicago Tribune’s headline:
“Kris Humphries’ New Basketball Contract Will Last Longer Than His Marriage”
Back to the booing -- the ladies of The View debated it, with Whoopi Goldberg calling a foul against the fans, and Barbara Walters saying its Humphries’ own fault.
GOLDBERG: “He is a basketball player. If you are going to see a basketball game, and you don’t like the way he plays ball -- then you boo him. If you’re booing him because you don’t think he should have gone with this chick, what’s wrong with you people?”
WALTERS: “But when you open your life up to that, then you’re more than a basketball player. You’re a personality.”
And those booes seem to be reflective of a nationwide feeling. A new poll from Nielsen Sports and E-Poll Market Research shows Kris Humphries is the No. 1 most disliked player in the NBA, beating LeBron James. Entertainment Weekly wonders where exactly that top spot came from.
“ … what is he most guilty of in the eyes of fans: Marrying Kim? Failing to stay married? (As if.) Simply portraying himself in their reality circus? … hasn’t Humphries suffered enough? In the grand scheme of things, he seems like a relatively innocent bystander — sort of like Pinocchio when he was seduced and sent to Pleasure Island.”
On ESPN, panelists say the ranking is astonishing -- and speaks volumes for the power of reality TV.
“A marginal NBA player that most people didn’t know a year ago, seriously -- that didn’t know. He’s a household name.”
But the panel says this could actually help Humphries’ career.
“Any publicity is good publicity. Right there for him.”
“Huge. I mean huge.”
“Exposure-wise.”
“It put him on the map.”
“Laughing all the way to the bank.”
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