New York Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle issued a public apology for his profane-laden postgame comment about the fans. But it was not enough as the NBA fined him $25,000, the league announced on Saturday.
Randle made a thumbs-down gesture at the height of the Knicks’ run in their 108-105 comeback win against the Boston Celtics Thursday night. He doubled down in the postgame interview, saying it was meant to silence the fans who booed them when they trailed by as many as 25 points.
Full exchange:@SBondyNYDN: “Cameras caught you giving thumbs down to the crowd. What was that about?”
Randle: “Shut the fuck up”
“To whom?”
“What you talking about? To who? He just said to who”
It in response to something?
“You saw that. You saw what was going on w/ that"
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) January 7, 2022
It was the second time Randle used profanity in his interview. After Wednesday’s practice, ahead of their home against Boston, Randle was asked about the fans’ criticisms he’s been receiving.
“Really don’t give a f–k what anybody has to say, to be honest. I’m out there playing. Nobody knows the game out there better than I do, compared to what everybody has to say. So I really don’t give a s–t. I just go out there and play,” Randle responded.
The NBA found Randle’s profanity-laden comments ‘egregious.’
In his public apology posted on his Instagram, Randle explained that his ‘comment was an example of how sometimes you say things you regret to people you love.’
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYcjuc_gyjU/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3d874b61-6ce9-4dad-80aa-e154efac8c51
The criticisms and boos have seemed to light up a fire under Randle’s belly. Since his return from the health and safety protocols, Randle has averaged 26.0 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, 12.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals as the Knicks won two straight games.
Randle averages 19.6 points on 42 percent shooting from the field and 32 percent from deep, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists for the season. Those numbers are down from his All-NBA season averages of 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and six assists while shooting 46 percent from the field and 41 percent from the three-point zone.
Randle and the Knicks are eyeing a third straight win Saturday night on the road against the Celtics to get back to .500, on the pace from their last season’s surprising playoff run.
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