The New York Knicks showed Trae Young some love on Sunday by serenading him with boos.

But instead of getting rattled in his NBA Playoffs debut against a raucous, unwelcoming crowd, Young did the exact opposite. He played with his cajones out and turned in one of his finest performances this season, punctuated by the game-winning layup to beat the Knicks in Game 1 of their first round series.

The Madison Square Garden turned eerily silent after the game-winner of the Atlanta Hawks superstar and he made sure Knicks fans know that he's not terrified of anything by taunting them. Such a courageous (and meme-able) moment.

After their win, the fleet-footed guard doubled down on his smack talk, saying Knicks fans really can't do anything with him (via Hawks reporter Kevin Chouinard).

“At the end of the day, fans can only talk. They can't guard me.”

Whew! You do you, Trae Young.

The NBA, with all the chumminess and fraternity these days, has badly needed a villain in the NBA Playoffs. And it's clear, that the league has found one in Young. The 22-year-old playmaker has always played with a chip on his shoulder because of his diminutive size. Like Hannibal Lecter or Keyser Soze, he's a villain you would love to hate.

Young's fiery character has also got him into trouble in the past, even reportedly with teammate John Collins, but everything's under the bridge. Now, Young is trying to get the Hawks over the hump.

Hawks coach Nate McMillan already said they're expecting an even more hostile Knicks crowd in Game 2 on Wednesday. And for sure, Trae Young will enjoy every boo he gets.