With frustrations running high for Knicks fans, a hail storm of boos rained down on Julius Randle and the Knicks on Thursday.
While that itself wouldn’t be cause for pause, it was Randle’s reaction to the crowd that raised a few eyebrows.
During the game, he gave a thumbs down to the audience, which he later revealed was a message for them to “shut the f*ck up.”
Knicks fans didn’t seem to take too much offense to the situation, but many people around the league were put off that Julius would speak that way about a loyal fanbase.
Regretful of his actions, Randle put the whole thing to bed once and for all by issuing a formal apology to fans on social media.
“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. 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 and 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 differently. and expressed myself with more professionalism and more appropriate language in the head of the moment. My comment was an example of how sometimes you say things you regret to the 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.”
Julius Randle’s message to Knicks fans addressing last night’s STFU comment, via Randle’s Instagram account: pic.twitter.com/u3tkMTyd64
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 7, 2022
Knicks fans have a special and unique relationship with their team. On one hand, they’re loyal, supportive, and will always show up to cheer when the team finds success.
On the other hand, they aren’t afraid to let the players hear it when they put on a meager performance. Nobody is blaming Julius for clapping back a bit. For New Yorkers, all they care about is what comes after.
Can Randle and the boys turn things around and start winning games again? If not, don’t expect those boos to go away any time soon…
