Julius Randle was once again booed by his own fans before the New York Knicks lost to the Charlotte Hornets. However, the Knickerbockers’ highest-paid player later made it clear that he had no thought of leaving the team via a trade.
“That’s not true, not at all. If it doesn’t come from me personally, then it’s not true either,” Randle said when asked about the rumors New York Post from the day before that he wanted to force a trade out of New York. Instead, the Big Man sees himself in the Big Apple in the long term, as he has repeatedly emphasized.
During the presentation of the players before the 114:125 defeat against the Hornets – the first after four wins in a row – numerous boos could be heard on the name of Julius Randle, and the ratio of the Most Improved Players has been from the previous season throughout the season charged to the followers.
After Randle renewed his contract for four years and $117 million, he was unable to match his previous performances (20.1 points, 41.1 percent FG, 30.5 percent 3FG). The league has already fined him more than $100,000 for various incidents. After beating the Bulls on Monday, when he only had 5 points (1/9 FG), he threw the ball away and ran to the dressing room immediately after the end of the game. Previously, fans had been demanding more playing time for Randle backup Obi Toppin.
The new NBA newsletter from SPOX expert Ole Frerks just in time for the playoffs – register now!
The situation is anything but easy, especially for his son Kyden, Randle clarified: “That’s where most of my frustration probably comes from. He’s obsessed with basketball, loves the game and doesn’t understand what’s going on.” But Randle understands “that it’s New York City, how passionate our fans are, you have to live with the good and bad things.” He performed well against the Hornets with 21 points (7/16) and 7 assists despite the loss.
–
