New Orleans superfan keeps the jousting civil

NEWORLEANS — Chris Trew wears oversized glasses that cover just about every part of his face that isn’t obscured by a bushy brown beard.

He wears a silver septum nose ring and often sports flashy Pelicans garb.

But what really brings attention to Trew is what comes out of his mouth.

Sitting behind the opponent’s bench during New Orleans home games, Trew tries to make players’ minds stray from the game and often does so by drawing on his background as a standup and improv comedian.

Trew said the Warriors are one of the top teams at joining in with his playful banter, and it was never more evident than when the team was at the Smoothie King Center earlier this month. Even before the national anthem and player introductions, Trew had something going with Draymond Green.

Green: “There’s no way you will win this game tonight.”

Trew: “You don’t need it. Let us have it.”

Green: “Why should we just give it to you?”

Green later hit Trew with a flexed muscle taunt and an usher told Trew not to go after Green, that it only improved his play.

So, Trew turned his attention to Andre Iguodala. Because of a deep respect for the game and its players, Trew is very careful not to be offensive or obnoxious.

Instead, he playfully asked Iguodala for a sip of water. The Warriors’ swingman stared at Trew for at least 15 seconds, before cracking a slight smile.

During the Pelicans’ third-quarter run, Trew went to one of his favorite taunts: assisting the opposing coach in calling a timeout. After the Pelicans won, Green found Trew and tapped him on the chest out of respect.

“It’s all fun, and I think the players realize that,” Trew said. “I will remain passionate about my city, but I’ll also remain respectful of the game and acknowledge that these dudes are superhuman and do amazing stuff.”

Trew’s trash-talking isn’t in the same vein as famed “Clipper” Darrell Bailey in Los Angeles, Leon “The Barber” Bradley in Detroit, Robin Ficker in Washington or Spike Lee in New York. This is all natural for Trew.

Trew does live comedy every week at The New Movement, travels quite a bit for other shows and does a podcast called “Trew 2 the Game.” He doesn’t have a ton of time to research upcoming opponents, but he couldn’t help it last week. When he saw Grantland’s 6,000-word opus on Green, Trew devoured every word.

“I read the s— out of that,” Trew said. “I was looking for any potential nuggets, but my method is more about catching them thinking, ‘What did he just say?’

“I don’t want to force anything. It fits with what I do for a living. I understand improvising with these dudes and respect- ing an art form while having some fun within the parameters.”

Trew doesn’t have any children or a car and describes himself as a minimalist. He’s been a season-ticket holder for three seasons, moving from Section 305 to 109 to behind the opponent’s bench.

He grew up a Shaquille O’Neal fan because the big fellow went to LSU, framed a newspaper article when New Orleans was nearly awarded the expansion Timberwolves and has always been a die-hard Hornets/Pelicans fan.

He said the most difficult players to fluster are the disciplined Spurs, but he did get a reaction from Matt Bonner when making fun of the reserve forward’s favorite band. Most players understand Trew isn’t making personal attacks, but Indiana’s Roy Hibbert cursed at Trew and his mother.

He doesn’t have to worry about that with the Warriors, and that’s what makes it so fun for both sides.

“They jaw a lot,” Trew said. “You can tell that they love each other and that they get along, but they’re not above talking it up with the fans.”

Iguodala said: “I usually don’t really engage, because I’m so locked into the game. But some guys are really playful and really cool. He’s one of those.”