Pelicans fans thrash Josh Hart for throwing unwarranted shade at New Orleans: “Entire state of Louisiana hates watching him now”

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart threw unwarranted shade at his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, on the "Roommates Show" at Fanatics Fest in New York last week. While questioning rapper Lil Wayne on stage, Hart got candid, saying that no player gets excited when they get dealt to the Pelicans.

“I don’t think you’ll ever hear anyone say they were excited to be traded to New Orleans. I wasn't," Hart said. "The only thing I was excited about was rolling around New Orleans, listening to Lil Wayne, and going to every game.”

Reacting to the jab, Pelicans fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to thrash Josh Hart for his comments about his former team.

"Entire state of Louisiana hates watching him now," a fan tweeted.

"Nobody is excited to watch Josh Hart play basketball," a fan tweeted.

"Bench players talking like starters now," a fan tweeted.

"Bro had one first good round & haven’t stopped talking all summer," a fan tweeted.

"Damn. The city showed him nothing but love," a fan tweeted.

"Josh Hart became so cringe," a fan tweeted.

Josh Hart was acquired by the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the 2019-20 season after he spent his first two NBA years with the LA Lakers. He played two and a half seasons with the Pelicans before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in the middle of the 2021-22 season.

During his time in New Orleans, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals in the 153 games, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 33.4% from deep.

Josh Hart's teammate doesn't hold back from calling out his immaturity

During the Fanatics Fest, Josh Hart was joined by his Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson on the panel. In addition to being teammates, the duo are close friends, which was displayed by Brunson's friendly jab at Hart during the event.

While talking about the roasting culture in the Knicks, which was mentioned to unite the team and help develop a close bond, Hart was appreciative of Brunson for allegedly leading the way.

“It started with JB. He put it on his back and we all came behind him… It just shows the love we have for each other," Hart said while pointing toward Brunson. "It’s on your shoulder and your back, bro! And we all just got behind you! So, we appreciate you, dog!”

Meanwhile, Brunson went in with a different response as he took the opportunity to roast his teammate.

“We just had a moment backstage where you were actually mature," Brunson said. "And you were, for once, being a responsible adult! And then we get out in public and you don’t know how to act.”

The duo's off-the-court bond was also visible in their on-the-court performances in the past season. Though the New York Knicks ultimately fell in the Eastern Conference semifinals in the 2023-24 season, they are expected to be a top-contending team in the next season, with Jalen Brunson leading the way.