After leading NC State to a stunning 76-64 victory over the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight, DJ Burns didn't miss the opportunity to engage in some playful taunting of Duke fans. As the clock ticked down, Burns directed a series of cheeky remarks and gestures toward the defeated Duke supporters.
"Lol you should hear what they said to me grow up."
With a mischievous grin, he reminded the Duke fans that their season was over and then he followed it with a confident declaration of, "It's over," accompanied by a slit-throat motion, symbolizing the end of Duke's tournament run.
Following his on-court antics, Burns took to Twitter to share his amusement at the reactions from Duke fans. In a tweet that captured his carefree attitude, he suggested that the taunting from the opposing fans only fueled his enjoyment of the moment.
Burns' playful demeanor and willingness to engage with fans added an extra layer of excitement to NC State's thrilling victory. As the Wolfpack continue their journey through the NCAA tournament, Burns' spirited personality and on-court prowess have endeared him to fans and cemented his status as a fan favorite.
Burns led NC State with 29 points on 13-of-19 shooting along with 3 assists and 4 rebounds. As the game wore on and the stakes grew higher, the burly Burns became increasingly difficult to defend.
With every circus turnaround shot and runner that dropped, he gathered more confidence, and the look in his eye grew brighter. He finished the second half shooting 9-of-11 and dismantled Duke's defense with 21 points in the most polite way possible.
After his MVP-worthy performance against Duke, DJ Burns received praise from an unexpected admirer: Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic. Despite Jokic's limited knowledge of college basketball, he couldn't help but be impressed by Burns' skills and impact on the court. Burns' standout play during NC State's improbable NCAA Tournament run caught Jokic's attention, prompting him to express his admiration for the Wolfpack's big man.
In response to Jokic's praise, Burns expressed gratitude for the recognition from such a prominent figure in the basketball world:
"You know, he dunks a lot more than me, but I feel like, you know, he also shoots threes way better than me, so, but I feel like as far as, you know, post moves and everything, we have a similar game in a sense. I wouldn't say all of our game, but I'd say specifically as far from a post-aspect."
Reflecting on Jokic's comments, Burns acknowledged the similarities in their playing styles, particularly in terms of their post moves. However, he humbly admitted that Jokic excels in areas such as dunking and three-point shooting, aspects of the game where he himself has room for improvement.
Burns appreciated Jokic's acknowledgment of his performance and the impact he's had on NC State's success in the tournament. He also highlighted the camaraderie within the team and credited his teammates for their collective effort and commitment on and off the court. With a focus on enjoying the game and maintaining a positive team dynamic, Burns emphasized the importance of unity and discipline in achieving their goals.
With his performance on the court and his charismatic antics off it, DJ Burns has become a central figure in NC State's Cinderella run. As the team prepares for their next challenge in the Final Four, Burns' infectious energy and competitive spirit will undoubtedly continue to inspire his teammates and captivate basketball fans across the nation.
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