NBA's Tracy McGrady posts about Kris Wu

[everypart]

After they were announced to be on the same team (Team Canada!) in the NBA All-Star Celebrity game, retired NBA player T-Mac took to his Weibo to post a shout out to Kris:

 

 

This isn't the first time Kris got a shout out from someone from the NBA. Chris Paul sent him a signed jersey for his birthday and has posted about him several times:

 

 

Kris and Russell Westbrook also met during Paris Fashion week and are friendly with each other (they're mutuals on IG). 

 

[jaehyun]

Get some relevance, Kris

[bettyjay]

The continuous Ls his antis have to take because of his meteoric success gives me LIIIFE

 

Like the SMAs just finished imagine he could have been up on that stage instead OMG

 

Sometimes life comes at you hard you just gotta grab the reins

 

Keep inspiring haters to achieve their impossible dreams tbh

[Ddeona Oneul Bame]

THE RELEVANCE IS REAL~   WHEN WILL YOUR FAVES?~

 

[blank_stare]

Well, dude's got it all.

[zris12345]

omfg wow~!!!!

[Jcey]

In this past year, Kris has become such a huge superstar. Most haters have been Shut up by his Success. Haha...Get on Kris Level.

[bettyjay]

In this past year, Kris has become such a huge superstar. Most haters have been Shut up by his Success. Haha...Get on Kris Level.

 

 

lmao they don't come into his posts anymore because there's nothing they can do to deny the truth

 

 

Kris' relevancy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the relevancy of their sleep-deprived faves

[Jcey]

lmao they don't come into his posts anymore because there's nothing they can do to deny the truth

 

 

Kris' relevancy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the relevancy of their sleep-deprived faves

True sister/brother.

 

Also, You have Momo Dp and respect Kris. You are a Person with good and reliable Taste ♡♡

[�幸�]

I was lurking in reddit and kpop fans there were questioning Kris being chosen. I wanted to tell them it's time for them to go out of their kpop bubble. 

 

With China slowly penetrating Hollywood Kris is in a good place. Sure there are many A-listers in China but how many can fluently speak English? I can see him being in an advantageous point when more Hollywood-China film collabs happen. Even now he's been inching his way to more mainstream stuff, seems like he will only become greater. 

[MidnightEXO]

I was lurking in reddit and kpop fans there were questioning Kris being chosen. I wanted to tell them it's time for them to go out of their kpop bubble. 

 

With China slowly penetrating Hollywood Kris is in a good place. Sure there are many A-listers in China but how many can fluently speak English? I can see him being in an advantageous point when more Hollywood-China film collabs happen. Even now he's been inching his way to more mainstream stuff, seems like he will only become greater. 

This is true. Plus he has a following. Not all EXO fans hate him. Not all K-Fans hate him. Like this is such a beautiful thing because no matter how people try to act like he's above EXO now he's still going to be associated with EXO because thats where he started. He has a huge following from EXO. Since the only thing people knew him from originally was EXO. Unlike Luhan who started other places first then to EXO. Now Kris has made his own name and doing his own path. The fact 1.) He lived in Canada is great 2.) As you mentioned he speaks English and 3.) He has a huge International following. From parts of asia and the US/Canada area.

 

It's like the biggest blessing to have, because not only do producers and agents want the exposer in Asia. They can pretty much do it in the biggest markets because Kris is fluent in 3 languages. Well IDK how good his Japanese now is but... yeah China's is big deal now these days. Also he has a nice following he built from EXO and now his acting. This is amazing. I honestly cant wait see his future. As long as he stays humble he cant fall. 

[MidnightEXO]

Also If anyone knows anything about the NBA the NBA is a big ass deal in China. So this is smart for not only the NBA since it wants to be a global sport but China and Kris as well. Honestly can't wait. :D

[everypart]

This is true. Plus he has a following. Not all EXO fans hate him. Not all K-Fans hate him. Like this is such a beautiful thing because no matter how people try to act like he's above EXO now he's still going to be associated with EXO because thats where he started. He has a huge following from EXO. Since the only thing people knew him from originally was EXO. Unlike Luhan who started other places first then to EXO. Now Kris has made his own name and doing his own path. The fact 1.) He lived in Canada is great 2.) As you mentioned he speaks English and 3.) He has a huge International following. From parts of asia and the US/Canada area.

 

It's like the biggest blessing to have, because not only do producers and agents want the exposer in Asia. They can pretty much do it in the biggest markets because Kris is fluent in 3 languages. Well IDK how good his Japanese now is but... yeah China's is big deal now these days. Also he has a nice following he built from EXO and now his acting. This is amazing. I honestly cant wait see his future. As long as he stays humble he cant fall. 

What are you even saying? Seriously? While no one denies that he gained fans from his EXO days, as did Luhan by the way, his fans and public recognition has quadrupled since then... like you saying EXO is all he's known for is very uninformed. Most of his Chinese fans and most of the Chinese public don't care about EXO. And yes, EXO gets the benefit of being associated with every achievement of his because they're his past and his past will always be mentioned in articles.. and while it's not ideal, I don't really care anymore and I'm sure he doesn't either. He doesn't shy away from his past. But everything he has achieved now is from his own hard work and it's not because of his EXO following.. because honestly, while I'm a part of it, his international fandom doesn't mean much to producers and executives. It's his relevance in China that's important and his skills too.

 

If NBA wanted Asian people with a sizable international fandom then they'd get Kpop stars lmao. Same with Luc Besson. And Burberry. But that's not what they want. They want someone with influence in China. Who can speak English. And has the looks and talent they're looking for.

[Baby Don't Cry]

This is true. Plus he has a following. Not all EXO fans hate him. Not all K-Fans hate him. Like this is such a beautiful thing because no matter how people try to act like he's above EXO now he's still going to be associated with EXO because thats where he started. He has a huge following from EXO. Since the only thing people knew him from originally was EXO. Unlike Luhan who started other places first then to EXO. Now Kris has made his own name and doing his own path. The fact 1.) He lived in Canada is great 2.) As you mentioned he speaks English and 3.) He has a huge International following. From parts of asia and the US/Canada area.

 

It's like the biggest blessing to have, because not only do producers and agents want the exposer in Asia. They can pretty much do it in the biggest markets because Kris is fluent in 3 languages. Well IDK how good his Japanese now is but... yeah China's is big deal now these days. Also he has a nice following he built from EXO and now his acting. This is amazing. I honestly cant wait see his future. As long as he stays humble he cant fall. 

 

I think you're a bit confused.

[MidnightEXO]

What are you even saying? Seriously? While no one denies that he gained fans from his EXO days, as did Luhan by the way, his fans and public recognition has quadrupled since then... like you saying EXO is all he's known for is very uninformed. Most of his Chinese fans and most of the Chinese public don't care about EXO. And yes, EXO gets the benefit of being associated with every achievement of his because they're his past and his past will always be mentioned in articles.. and while it's not ideal, I don't really care anymore and I'm sure he doesn't either. He doesn't shy away from his past. But everything he has achieved now is from his own hard work and it's not because of his EXO following.. because honestly, while I'm a part of it, his international fandom doesn't mean much to producers and executives. It's his relevance in China that's important and his skills too.

 

If NBA wanted Asian people with a sizable international fandom then they'd get Kpop stars lmao. Same with Luc Besson. And Burberry. But that's not what they want. They want someone with influence in China. Who can speak English. And has the looks and talent they're looking for.

You are taking what I said the wrong way. You get so easily offended. I mean that in the nicest way possible. Its like JT and Zayn. They are huge on there own right but started from somewhere. Like JT will always be known to get his start on Mickey Mouse club .. then N'SYNC and now his this big star but it took time for him to just be JT.. Zayn known from X factor ... then 1D now he's still that guy that left 1D but is making a name for himself. After he has a few #1 songs and everything he will just be Zayn. Nothing is wrong with that. Kris is doing that now. Articles will still associate him with EXO for a while... especially USA wise because thats probably what most people know him from if they know him and once his US movie comes out and he does red carpet he will just be Kris. Why are you acting like I said something wrong or terrible?

 

 

Like no one is saying he didnt gain fame lol... I'm saying his ball started from one destination and its going to another. Like people are known from where they started and the progress to another side. Why is it so bad to say Kris is known from EXO by some fans. Why is that so bad? China knows him as what they do now while other might know him as the guy from EXO. I mean whats the issue? Kris is going to make a name for himself in America. IDK why you took that wrongly. 

 

I know its from his hard work. Where did I deny that? I mean people still associate Disney stars with Disney long after Disney. Even if their mega stars. It's a good thing. Nothing is wrong with that. Also it isn't like Kris needs to piggy back off EXO and vice versa. Both are doing amazingly well. Proud of both but I wont pretend or act oblivious. 

 

Either way it goes Kris is slaying. If he write a tell all book its apart of him and no one is saying he's shying away or doesn't acknowledge it. It was his first chapter and he shouldn't be ashamed of it because without a start you cant win the race. So idk why people try to belittle the EXO thing. It's an important start to his now amazing journey that he's done on his own.

 

---

 

You really need to relax. K-POP stars  aren't all known in China, US and Korea as well as Japan. Why do you do that. You have to look at all factors. Lay did the Global show in China. Which is one of the NBA's biggest events in China. I don't understand why you wouldn't think they'd take ones star power into account for this event. No KPOP act has a hold in China ... and NBA's main market is China and Asia. So of course they'd pick .. someone who's well known... a rising star... knows english and is talented. You have Kris. It wasn't like he wasn't asked while he was in EXO from what I've heard SM denied it. So I mean ... I don't get why you have to do that overtime I say what I say. He's fine. He's slaying but no everyone know's that Kris is doing well in china and people are award EXO is someone a big deal in parts of Asia. Nothing wrong with anything I said

[MidnightEXO]

I think you're a bit confused.

About what? Please tell me? 

[Mogwai]

This is true. Plus he has a following. Not all EXO fans hate him. Not all K-Fans hate him. Like this is such a beautiful thing because no matter how people try to act like he's above EXO now he's still going to be associated with EXO because thats where he started. He has a huge following from EXO. Since the only thing people knew him from originally was EXO. Unlike Luhan who started other places first then to EXO. Now Kris has made his own name and doing his own path. The fact 1.) He lived in Canada is great 2.) As you mentioned he speaks English and 3.) He has a huge International following. From parts of asia and the US/Canada area.

 

It's like the biggest blessing to have, because not only do producers and agents want the exposer in Asia. They can pretty much do it in the biggest markets because Kris is fluent in 3 languages. Well IDK how good his Japanese now is but... yeah China's is big deal now these days. Also he has a nice following he built from EXO and now his acting. This is amazing. I honestly cant wait see his future. As long as he stays humble he cant fall. 

Tbh you misunderstood the post you were replying to. This is actually another example of that kpop bubble...

 

This might all come across as an attack, but it's a common misconception. I don't like it when a few meigenis deny that Kris did have a starting point but everypart is not wrong about this at all. There's a huge reason why SM is trying so hard to truly break into the Chinese market. They've done the best among most other kpop labels so far, but Kris' success is an example of what SM really, really wanted. Yes, he had a great jumpstart and meigenis were all originally kpop fans. But like everypart said, that fanbase is much, much bigger now and they aren't mostly kpop fans at all. He could never have come this far simply based on the buzz he gets from that initial fanbase. He's now gaining recognition on his own as an actor and an entertainer in general. So no... that following is no longer mostly from kpop.

 

--

Anyway OT: for a second I thought he misspelled Kris' name as "Chris" lol but it was the other NBA player

[MidnightEXO]

Tbh you misunderstood the post you were replying to. This is actually another example of that kpop bubble...

 

This might all come across as an attack, but it's a common misconception. I don't like it when a few meigenis deny that Kris did have a starting point but everypart is not wrong about this at all. There's a huge reason why SM is trying so hard to truly break into the Chinese market. They've done the best among most other kpop labels so far, but Kris' success is an example of what SM really, really wanted. Yes, he had a great jumpstart and meigenis were all originally kpop fans. But like everypart said, that fanbase is much, much bigger now and they aren't mostly kpop fans at all. He could never have come this far simply based on the buzz he gets from that initial fanbase. He's now gaining recognition on his own as an actor and an entertainer in general. So no... that following is no longer mostly from kpop.

How is that a Kpop bubble? This has nothing to do with kpop. It's just his start I am speaking about. Nothing more nothing less. Like I mentioned JT, Zayn and etc etc. Everyone is known from some where. Not everyone knows Kris was in EXO and not Everyone can access his things in China but they don know he was in EXO, but we do know that he is called a former member. People love that tag... people in America for sure love to know where you started. All I am saying is either way a simple google search will show you exactly what I am talking bout. Most articles made are about him being a former member from US journalist. All I am saying is why are people making a big deal about what I said.  I said nothing wrong or nothing out of the norm. 

 

Dude. The fans base is still a huge factor. You can call it small but he has fans around the world .. yes small but it started from somewhere. I hate when people do this. Like OMG it was small no one cared. Well everyone starts from somewhere small are not ... those fans showed up that he had when he left EXO was huge and he still has a fanbase in Korea beyond popular belief. Yes, fro the millionth time he has kill it ON HIS VERY OWN. I get it that doesn't need to be repeated but a fan base .. small or not is a nice factor as well. I don't know why this needs to go on and on when I said nothing out or the norm. 

[Baby Don't Cry]

About what? Please tell me? 

 

First, Luhan never 'started other places' before he went to Exo or SM. Do you mean Lay, who was a Child Star in the past? Luhan was an university student before he became a trainee.

Also, if you follow Kris' career in China, then you will see that basically no one associate him with Exo. Simply because outside the chinese Kpop community, people don't know Exo. I saw in your reply to everypart that you compared it to Zayn or Justin Timberlake, but the difference is, that One Direction and NSYNC actually gained world wide fame so that everyone knew these groups and both members were introduced as One Direction's Zayn and NSYNC's JT. But this is not the case with Exo and Kris in China. People met Kris as Wu Yifan and not as Exo's Kris.

[everypart]

You are taking what I said the wrong way. You get so easily offended. I mean that in the nicest way possible. Its like JT and Zayn. They are huge on there own right but started from somewhere. Like JT will always be known to get his start on Mickey Mouse club .. then N'SYNC and now his this big star but it took time for him to just be JT.. Zayn known from X factor ... then 1D now he's still that guy that left 1D but is making a name for himself. After he has a few #1 songs and everything he will just be Zayn. Nothing is wrong with that. Kris is doing that now. Articles will still associate him with EXO for a while... especially USA wise because thats probably what most people know him from if they know him and once his US movie comes out and he does red carpet he will just be Kris. Why are you acting like I said something wrong or terrible?

 

 

Like no one is saying he didnt gain fame lol... I'm saying his ball started from one destination and its going to another. Like people are known from where they started and the progress to another side. Why is it so bad to say Kris is known from EXO by some fans. Why is that so bad? China knows him as what they do now while other might know him as the guy from EXO. I mean whats the issue? Kris is going to make a name for himself in America. IDK why you took that wrongly. 

 

I know its from his hard work. Where did I deny that? I mean people still associate Disney stars with Disney long after Disney. Even if their mega stars. It's a good thing. Nothing is wrong with that. Also it isn't like Kris needs to piggy back off EXO and vice versa. Both are doing amazingly well. Proud of both but I wont pretend or act oblivious. 

 

Either way it goes Kris is slaying. If he write a tell all book its apart of him and no one is saying he's shying away or doesn't acknowledge it. It was his first chapter and he shouldn't be ashamed of it because without a start you cant win the race. So idk why people try to belittle the EXO thing. It's an important start to his now amazing journey that he's done on his own.

 

---

 

You really need to relax. K-POP stars  aren't all known in China, US and Korea as well as Japan. Why do you do that. You have to look at all factors. Lay did the Global show in China. Which is one of the NBA's biggest events in China. I don't understand why you wouldn't think they'd take ones star power into account for this event. No KPOP act has a hold in China ... and NBA's main market is China and Asia. So of course they'd pick .. someone who's well known... a rising star... knows english and is talented. You have Kris. It wasn't like he wasn't asked while he was in EXO from what I've heard SM denied it. So I mean ... I don't get why you have to do that overtime I say what I say. He's fine. He's slaying but no everyone know's that Kris is doing well in china and people are award EXO is someone a big deal in parts of Asia. Nothing wrong with anything I said

Why are you acting like your original post had no shady intentions. Look at how you worded it and what you chose to say --

 

"Like this is such a beautiful thing because no matter how people try to act like he's above EXO now he's still going to be associated with EXO because thats where he started. He has a huge following from EXO. Since the only thing people knew him from originally was EXO. Unlike Luhan who started other places first then to EXO."

 

Your initial post already came across as very defensive with the whole "oh no matter how people try to act he's above exo blah blah blah" part and then you followed that with saying that being in EXO is all he's known for. You're also acting like Kpop is this huge phenomenon that everyone in the West knows about EXO and cares about who they are. Only the Vogue article mentioned EXO recently, fyi, and it's because they were talking about how he started. Other articles from WWD and other sites make no mention of EXO. Literally most of the websites who like to associate him with EXO are Kpop sites. Look at the English-language Chinese sites and you won't see EXO on there. So your initial point didn't make sense already. Even in the NBA press release, he was introduced as an actor/singer or a Chinese entertainer. NBA is not trying to cater to his Kpop fanbase. Neither are his other projects. There was no sense in bringing that up unless your intention was to try to undermine him. His Kpop fanbase is inconsequential to these companies because they're trying to appeal to China first of all and his recognition and fanbase on there are not Kpop-driven.

 

I don't really quite understand what you're trying to say in the second paragraph because you kind of worded it weirdly tbh but I will reply to what I bolded - no, NBA did not invite Kris when he was still in EXO. 

[Mogwai]

How is that a Kpop bubble? This has nothing to do with kpop. It's just his start I am speaking about. Nothing more nothing less. Like I mentioned JT, Zayn and etc etc. Everyone is known from some where. Not everyone knows Kris was in EXO and not Everyone can access his things in China but they don know he was in EXO, but we do know that he is called a former member. People love that tag... people in America for sure love to know where you started. All I am saying is either way a simple google search will show you exactly what I am talking bout. Most articles made are about him being a former member from US journalist. All I am saying is why are people making a big deal about what I said.  I said nothing wrong or nothing out of the norm. 

 

Dude. The fans base is still a huge factor. You can call it small but he has fans around the world .. yes small but it started from somewhere. I hate when people do this. Like OMG it was small no one cared. Well everyone starts from somewhere small are not ... those fans showed up that he had when he left EXO was huge and he still has a fanbase in Korea beyond popular belief. Yes, fro the millionth time he has kill it ON HIS VERY OWN. I get it that doesn't need to be repeated but a fan base .. small or not is a nice factor as well. I don't know why this needs to go on and on when I said nothing out or the norm. 

You might wanna reread your post if you're saying this has nothing to do with kpop though.

 

We're not talking about his international fanbase. Reread everypart's post. His Chinese fanbase, which aren't mostly kpop fans anymore, is much more important. They're looking for someone who's rising in the Chinese market, and has Chinese public recognition. Like I said, I agree he had a start. Read everypart and yurah's posts. They've said the gist of it.

[MidnightEXO]

First, Luhan never 'started other places' before he went to Exo or SM. Do you mean Lay, who was a Child Star in the past? Luhan was an university student before he became a trainee.

Also, if you follow Kris' career in China, then you will see that basically no one associate him with Exo. Simply because outside the chinese Kpop community, people don't know Exo. I saw in your reply to everypart that you compared it to Zayn or Justin Timberlake, but the difference is, that One Direction and NSYNC actually gained world wide fame so that everyone knew these groups and both members were introduced as One Direction's Zayn and NSYNC's JT. But this is not the case with Exo and Kris in China. People met Kris as Wu Yifan and not as Exo's Kris.

You didnt read what I wrote.... I said luhan started other places but nvm here we go should have known people would ignore what I wrote and come for me 

 

edit: Okay I am not just speaking China thats where we are getting miscommunication. I am talking Asia, outside of China as well as US.. not just China. Like I agree with you all but I'm speaking fully on how he did start from a fan base in China through EXO and it grew... if that makes sense 

[MidnightEXO]

Why are you acting like your original post had no shady intentions. Look at how you worded it and what you chose to say --

 

"Like this is such a beautiful thing because no matter how people try to act like he's above EXO now he's still going to be associated with EXO because thats where he started. He has a huge following from EXO. Since the only thing people knew him from originally was EXO. Unlike Luhan who started other places first then to EXO."

 

Your initial post already came across as very defensive with the whole "oh no matter how people try to act he's above exo blah blah blah" part and then you followed that with saying that being in EXO is all he's known for. You're also acting like Kpop is this huge phenomenon that everyone in the West knows about EXO and cares about who they are. Only the Vogue article mentioned EXO recently, fyi, and it's because they were talking about how he started. Other articles from WWD and other sites make no mention of EXO. Literally most of the websites who like to associate him with EXO are Kpop sites. Look at the English-language Chinese sites and you won't see EXO on there. So your initial point didn't make sense already. Even in the NBA press release, he was introduced as an actor/singer or a Chinese entertainer. NBA is not trying to cater to his Kpop fanbase. Neither are his other projects. There was no sense in bringing that up unless your intention was to try to undermine him.

 

I don't really quite understand what you're trying to say in the second paragraph because you kind of worded it weirdly tbh but I will reply to what I bolded - no, NBA did not invite Kris when he was still in EXO. 

Edit:

 

I read what you said but the NBA is also multicultural / global  and china/asia is a big market but as I stated we are having a miscommunication I agree but I am talking Kris started with EXO a grew in china with his movies but most of his fanbase or a nice core know that he's from EXO.. does that make sense? Also outside of China mainly know him from EXO. Does that make it more clear?

 

 

 

Also I am not shading or undermining you are refusing to read anything I am saying.

 

 

And your the one getting a tad defensive. I am saying how people always try to act like he's above EXO like EXO is shit to him ... like I've seen people act high class and act like EXO is nothing... you are sort of reading my post wrong and becoming offended as you read instead of reading what I am saying. I'm not talking China solely... I'm talking beyond that which is good and amazing. Having both China and Global rec is a huge huge huge deal. Idk what I said wrong? lol.. 

 

 

Also I know K-POP isn't big... but some people know him from that... which isn't a bad thing. 

[MidnightEXO]

You might wanna reread your post if you're saying this has nothing to do with kpop though.

 

We're not talking about his international fanbase. Reread everypart's post. His Chinese fanbase, which aren't mostly kpop fans anymore, is much more important. They're looking for someone who's rising in the Chinese market, and has Chinese public recognition. Like I said, I agree he had a start. Read everypart and yurah's posts. They've said the gist of it.

Yeah, but I am not referring to just China which I feel is why there is a miscommunication. I'm talking about on a international scale not just china 

[Mogwai]

Yeah, but I am not referring to just China which I feel is why there is a miscommunication. I'm talking about on a international scale not just china 

Not really, there's no miscommunication. NBA was looking for someone who is rising in China. Vogue was looking for someone who is rising in China. Like I said, SM wants this. They want the kind of potential power that the Chinese market can offer. You're saying he has China and international fanbase but that's not really it. That's what we're saying. And you know it's not true that a lot of kpop fans are still on his side. We're a few examples but majority of them have left the building. We don't really have as much power as the Chinese fanbase and general public do.