While appearing on Gilbert Arenas’s show Gil’s Arena, former NBA player Kenyon Martin offered a bizarre take regarding current Knicks power forward Julius Randle‘s choice to celebrate with his wife at the conclusion of New York's Game 5 victory over Miami.
Martin took issue with Randle seeking out and choosing to kiss his wife, who was sitting courtside, immediately after the win rather than celebrating in the “moment” with his Knicks’ teammates.
“I saw something last night at the end of the game and it bothered me,” said Martin. “We just got done playing a hard fought game in a playoff series and the first thing [Randle does] is go kiss his wife!? That’s the first thing you do!? Where is your mindset at? I mean, it was the very first thing he did dawg, when the game was over.”
Randle went on to explain that he even informed his own wife know that there was no way he would have sought her out in the crowd just moments after the buzzer sounded. “I am sitting there watching the game with my wife and I said to her, I love you to death, but ain’t no way in that instant … I mean I am going to be with my guys because we just got done winning and I am not even thinking about you.”
Kenyon Martin on Julius Randle
— Alex B. (@KnicksCentral) May 12, 2023
(via @HecBreezo) pic.twitter.com/X3dD6hHv9X
The criticism feels out of touch and fans on social media had similar reactions to the outlandish take.
Judging a man for loving his family is just such low character…. Awful display
— Keef 🇵🇷 (@KickinitwitKeef) May 12, 2023
“ I would never do that “ https://t.co/xRecuBhRg2
Maybe the worst take of all time https://t.co/tgxZvaE2nn
— T-Deck (@tdeckSWAG) May 12, 2023
So when JT does it it’s cute but it’s wrong when it’s Randle? Strange take https://t.co/L2gIycPBqc pic.twitter.com/w5KMuWDQ82
— Mill Media (@millsportsmedia) May 12, 2023
This is unbelievably cringe lol https://t.co/2SHrdXSz2N
— nba paint (@nba_paint) May 12, 2023
