More than a quarter century after Devils coach Jim Schoenfeld's confrontation with NHL referee Don Koharski, the NBA might have found its equivalent donut moment. Schoenfeld called Koharski a "fat pig" and then taunted him to "have another donut." On New Year's Eve, Carmelo Anthony reached into the Schoenfeld playbook by blasting a fan on Twitter with "glazed donut face" as part of the insult. Here's how the flap unfolded.
Anthony posted a tweet about a sneaker giveaway that he is sponsoring:
Happy New Years Eve! Start the year off right with a pair of pre-release M10s #MELOGIVEAWAYS #NYEDanceOff http://t.co/CGW64OR15C
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) December 31, 2013
One fan, perhaps exasperated with the way the Knicks have imploded this season, didn't appreciate Anthony's greeting or generosity.
That's what prompted Anthony to unload with the donut blast.
@__Kingsleyy5 I didn't ask for your glazed donut face ass to root for me anyway!!!!
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) December 31, 2013
But the fan took the smackdown as a badge of honor.
my favorite player dissed me
— A.B (@__Kingsleyy5) December 31, 2013
what a way to close out my year
— A.B (@__Kingsleyy5) December 31, 2013
Then after more reflection, he realized he was out of line and hoped this wouldn't cause Anthony any grief from the authorities.
my tweet was disrespectful @carmeloanthony
— A.B (@__Kingsleyy5) December 31, 2013
@NBA don't fine my homie melo
— A.B (@__Kingsleyy5) January 1, 2014
But the fuse had been lit, and creative hilarity ensued on Twitter.
@jose3030 I improvised pic.twitter.com/tmi4tWEFQC
— Kiernan Proud (@KiernanProud) December 31, 2013
@jose3030 pic.twitter.com/5LkY0CJYMc
— gurleygurl (@gurleygurl) December 31, 2013
NBA players, including Pacers center Roy Hibbert, also weighed in.
"Glazed Donut Face" has to be a new thing now. I feel you @carmeloanthony
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) January 1, 2014
In case you're not entirely familiar with Schoenfeld-Koharski showdown, it took place in the tunnel leading to the locker rooms just moments after Game 3 of the 1988 conference finals between the Devils and Bruins. Although Schoenfeld's line is often misquoted as being "have another donut, you fat pig," you can hear in the video below that "fat pig" precedes "donut."
The moment received an Hollywood homage in 1992's Wayne's World, starring hockey fan Mike Myers. It is no accident that the scene at the fictitious Stan Mikita's Donut Shop includes a policeman named "Officer Koharski."