Stephen A. Smith Rips Julius Randle After Knicks Lose To Heat
On Friday evening, the New York Knicks got eliminated from the 2023 NBA Playoffs when they lost 96-92 to the Miami Heat on the road in Florida.
Jalen Brunson was sensational with 41 points, four rebounds and three assists while shooting 14/22 from the field in 45 minutes of playing time.
However, the rest of the starting lineup struggled in a big way, and the entire team only shot 38.0% from the field.
Julius Randle, who was the team's only All-Star, finished the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
However, the former Kentucky star shot just 3/14 from the field and 1/7 from the three-point range.
After the game, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith (a Knicks fan) tweeted out a video and was not happy with Randle.
Smith: "Julius Randle. Julius Randle. Julius Randle. 3/14. Once again, playoffs arrive, once again, you fold. Done. DONE! It's time to trade Julius Randle. It's time for him to go."
Randle finished up his fourth season with the Knicks, averaging 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest while shooting 45.9% from the field.
He has helped the Knicks turn around the franchise, as they have been to the NBA Playoffs two times in the previous three seasons.
They also beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, which was the first time the franchise has won a playoff series since 2013.
However, in the 14 career playoff games that Randle has played, he has averages of 17.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.9 turnovers per contest while shooting 35.2% from the field and 29.3% from the three-point range.