The New York Knicks are now on the brink of elimination after losing game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Starman Julius Randle was fouled out of the game with more than 3 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. In his absence, Miami Heat eased to a comfortable 109-101 victory despite Jalen Brunson getting 13 in the quarter. Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, die-hard Knicks supporter Stephen A. Smith went off on a passionate rant against the struggling Julius Randle.
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The 55-year-old claimed that he would rather have Karl Anthony-Towns in his team. Randle, who finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds on the night, appeared to be blaming his teammates for not wanting to win as much as the Heat.
Stephen A. Smith goes on rant against Julius Randle
A lifelong New York Knicks fan, Stephen Smith claimed that durability was the only factor in which Julius Randle could beat Towns. Randle averaged over 25 points and 10 rebounds in the regular season but has struggled to get going in the Playoffs.
In game 4, while Randle converted more than 60% of his shots, he also had 6 turnovers and fouled out with more than 3 minutes remaining. Smith suggested on First Take that the Knicks should move for the 27-year-old Karl Anthony-Townes:
“I think they should trade him. If you can get your hands on a KAT, I think they should take it. With durability, I don’t think anybody can compete with Julius Randle. He is Mr. Reliable, played the first 77 games of the season, played the last 5 games. But I am talking about a talent perspective. I would rather have a Karl Anthony-Townes than a Julius Randle. And I know he is 32 years old. You know what I would do that? And I know I am dreaming, but I am allowed to dream. We are sufferers, and once again we are going to suffer at the hands of Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler.”
Julius Randle’s New York Knicks face an uphill battle to stay alive
Julius Randle was missing through injury in game 1 and produced a 25-point double-double in game 2. However, since then, he has converted just 12 of his 28 field goal attempts and has been poor from the free throw line.
After a disappointing game 4, Randle suggested that the Heat wanted the victory more and that his team had shown the same mentality through the regular season.
Despite that, with both Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo tearing the Knicks apart at will, the team’s young superstars will have to improve quickly in order to stay alive.
