NBC Sports Chicago reporter Leila Rahimi told us that Boylen had said at practice the day prior that Bulls reserve center Luke Kornet's skills reminded him of those of Robert Horry, the seven-time NBA champion famous for making decisive playoff baskets.
King's reaction was an unforgettably hyperbolic. "Whaaaaaaaat?" was followed by a giggle that turned into a snicker like that of Ernie from Sesame Street.
That's why it got the attention it did on social media in the moment and feels significant even now, as we digest the fact that King laughed so derisively in response to a thought expressed by the Bulls head coach. King spoke for all of us who agree with how absurd it is to compare the undrafted fringe player on the back end of the roster of a bad team with a former first-rounder who played in 244 playoff games and was a material reason for titles and parades.
It was just the latest ill-considered attempt by Boylen to link himself to the kind of success he has been unable to recreate as a head coach, his insecure way of trumpeting the bona fides of happening to be on certain benches at certain times. Boylen sells sizzle because there's no steak: He's suspiciously eager to give us his connections to Rudy Tomjanovich and Gregg Popovich and Robert Horry because he seems to think it provides him some greater legitimacy, when it only keeps calling it into further question.
Any professional responsibility King may have felt to exercise some diplomacy in that moment was overridden by his well-honed basketball sensibilities. Boylen's reach of a comparison was so patently ridiculous that it got the treatment it deserved. Even in a city that has had its share of tension between team broadcasters and various coaches, players and executives, Wednesday night brought something notable.
The team's own television analyst was presented an opinion expressed by the coach and gave it the on-air equivalent of "GTFOH."
Eventually Boylen will, and that moment will be a small part of his legacy.