Julius Randle is coming under fire on social media for his lack of effort on defense in clutch time against the Orlando Magic. With the New York Knicks trailing 90-89 with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Randle missed two free throws and then proceeded to give little to no effort on defense.
Under three mins left in a one-point game.
Randle misses two free throws and then decides to just walk around, watch and point on the defensive end. https://t.co/8kW78gAN56 pic.twitter.com/o2PO4EYMdx
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) January 15, 2024
If you watch closely, Randle was supposed to guard Cole Anthony in that sequence but allowed him a free run to the basket. Anthony would go on to secure the offensive rebound to keep the play alive and eventually, Paolo Banchero connected on a jumper. Randle was the closest defender to Banchero but couldn’t be bothered to close him down.
This is not the kind of effort you want to see from one of the stars on the team, especially when you consider how badly he had played in the game. Randle finished the night with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting 5-18 from the field, 2-9 from three, and 3-5 from the line.
A defense for Randle here could be that he had turned his ankle earlier in the game. Still, that doesn’t excuse being as lackadaisical as he was there. If you’re so hurt that you can’t play any kind of defense in a critical moment in the contest, then you shouldn’t be in the game.
He would only be hurting his team by staying in and the Knicks did go on to lose 98-94. They have now dropped to 23-17 on the season and have lost two of their last three games.
Another reason why Randle isn’t getting an injury excuse is because this is not the first time we have seen something like this from him. Earlier this season, Randle got mad at Jalen Brunson and didn’t want to get back on defense in clutch time against the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s instances like these which has led to him not exactly being a fan favorite in New York.
NBA Fans Blasted Julius Randle
This video quickly went viral on social media and NBA fans blasted Randle for his lack of effort.
One said it is hard to not dislike Randle.
Is so hard not dislike him
— David Ceri (@davidelduropati) January 15, 2024
A Knicks fan said he hates watching Randle play 90% of the time.
Shooting 25% from 3 and just chucks away all game. Does literally nothing on defense, I hate watching this dude play like 90% of the time.
— Ant (@antb__21) January 15, 2024
One felt it seemed like Randle had given up.
missing free throws happens, I dont know what hes doing on defense tho look like he gave up
— Elite (@Elite) January 15, 2024
A fan said moments like these are why New York has not fully gotten behind Randle.
These moments are why NY will never truly ever get behind him. What a shame
— lucchioj2 (@lucchioj2) January 16, 2024
One said Randle is not a leader.
He cannot lead a team. Brunson is the leader
— Santo (@sn_5713) January 16, 2024
The Knicks certainly could have done with having Brunson available here. He has missed the last two games with a calf injury and Knicks fans would be desperate to have the star guard back as soon as possible.
The fact that Brunson, who joined the Knicks in 2022, has won over the city while Randle, who has been there since 2019, has not, tells you all you need to know. The big man has been an All-Star twice since arriving in New York, but there have been far too many moments where he has left Knicks fans frustrated with his attitude on the court.
Randle is not going to change at this point, though, and his relationship with the fans will continue to be a bit of an odd one moving forward. As for what’s next for the Knicks, they’ll be taking on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
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