Nets fans will love Julius Randle creating unnecessary drama after Knicks win

The Brooklyn Nets didn’t play on Thursday, but over at Madison Square Garden, R.J. Barrett hit a game-winning 3-point bank shot at the final buzzer to beat Boston. Of course, it would’ve been fun to see the 19-20 Knicks get knocked off by the Celtics, but thanks to Julius Randle, Nets fans were still plenty entertained.

After an impressive All-Star season last year, New York signed Randle to a four-year, $117 million contract extension. However, Knicks fans haven’t appreciated his performance so far this year.

Randle’s averaging 19.6 points per game and is shooting 42.2% from the field and 32.4% from the 3-point line. Last season, he averaged 24.1 points and shot 45.6% from the field and 41.1% from downtown. As you can see, his numbers are down, and it’s contributed to an under .500 mark for New York.

After receiving MVP chants from New York fans last season, Randle’s been booed by those same fans this year, and he’s taken notice of it.

Julius Randle gives thumbs down to Knicks fans during game versus Celtics.

The Knicks were down by as many as 25 points on Thursday, and before they mounted their comeback, fans were loudly booing the team.

So when Randle drove to the basket and scored with a little over five minutes left in the game to cut Boston’s lead to four, he ran back down the court with a thumbs-down gesture in disapproval.

After the game, Randle was asked about what his thumbs down meant.

Well then.

After playing the role of hero last season, Randle’s turning into the villain. But honestly, what’s the game of basketball without a little bit of passion?

Nonetheless, it’s still great that New York’s “beloved” Randle told his own team’s fans to shut up, and that’s putting it nicely.

Brooklyn has to wait until Feb. 16 to take on the Knicks at MSG. In their first meeting, the Nets won, 112-110, in a thriller. In fact, before that matchup, Randle showered praise on Kevin Durant, using a completely different tone than the one that he used when talking about New York fans.

Thanks for the laugh, Randle. Brooklyn fans appreciated it, although Knicks fans might not feel the same way. If you can dish it out, you should be able to take it though, right?

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