Julius Randle Apologized to Knicks Fans for Giving Them Thumbs-Down Gesture and Using NSFW Statement, but He Still Lost $25,000
Julius Randle had a magical regular season for the New York Knicks in 2020-21. He made his first All-Star team and won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
However, Randle struggled in the first round of the 2021 playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. While the lefty put up 18.0 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, he shot only 29.8% from the field. The Knicks lost to the Hawks in five games, but they still gave Randle a four-year, $117.1 million contract extension.
Knicks fans expected Randle to take the next step in his development this season and lead the franchise to another winning season. However, the Kentucky product has not only been a shell of himself in 2021-22, but he’s also come under fire from fans for his poor play, and his frustration got the best of him on January 6 against the Boston Celtics.
Julius Randle gave thumbs-down gesture to Knicks fans
Randle gave fans at Madison Square Garden a thumbs-down gesture after making a layup midway through the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Celtics on January 6. The All-Star forward was booed during the first part of the game and appeared to shake his head after the crowd chanted “M-V-P” in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks beat the Celtics on a game-winning shot by RJ Barrett. Randle finished with 22 points and eight rebounds while shooting 40.0% from the floor and 25.0% from beyond the arc. When asked what he meant by his thumbs-down gesture to the fans, Randle bluntly said, “Shut the fu** up.” The Texas native is clearly upset at fans who boo him one minute and then give him “M-V-P” chants later.
However, a day after his thumbs-down gesture and “shut the fu** up” comment went viral, Randle and his PR team did some damage control.
Julius Randle apologized to Knicks fans
In a statement on his Instagram account, Randle apologized, saying that his thumbs-down gesture to Knicks fans was “an example of how sometimes you say things you regret to people you love.”
“Just want to send a quick message to our fans and be clear — I love NYC and being a part of this team and this franchise,” Randle wrote. “And like most Knicks fans, I am really passionate about us being successful. My family and I love how the fans and New Yorkers have embraced and accepted us and have made us feel great about our decision to commit long-term with the team this past summer. This support means the world to us. I understand that my actions also represent the league, this organization, and the city, and that I should have handled things last night differently and expressed myself with more professionalism and more appropriate language in the heat of the moment.
“My comment was an example of how sometimes you say things you regret to people you love, even if it came from a place of passion and deep love. Nobody wants to win more than me and I will continue to show loyalty and dedication to my teammates, the entire Knicks organization, and the fans who have shown me and my family so much love. I am going to keep focusing on the future.”
The Knicks are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings this season after finishing last campaign in fourth place. Randle is averaging 19.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 42.2% overall and 32.4% from beyond the arc. He’s turning the ball over 3.4 times per game, and his 3-point shooting is down more than 8% from last season.
There’s still time left in the season for Randle and the Knicks to turn things around. However, Randle’s apology didn’t stop the NBA from taking money out of his pockets.
Knicks big man fined $25,000
Randle was fined $25,000 for his “egregious use of profane language.” This is the second time the Knicks big man has been fined this season. Randle was fined $15,000 for throwing the ball in the stands after the Knicks-Celtics game on opening night. He threw the ball in celebration of New York’s double-overtime victory.
New York is a tough city to play in. Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, and Carmelo Anthony have all been booed at MSG by the home crowd, and they are three of the best players in franchise history. Randle must understand that since he’s the highest-paid and best player on the team, he’s expected to play well every night.
It will be interesting to see how Randle and the Knicks play moving forward. The boo birds will go away if the Knicks start winning like last season again. However, they will remain if losing persists.
Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference
