Knicks fans went viral for all the wrong reasons following the team’s Game 6 loss to the Heat on Friday after videos circulated showing a group of overzealous supporters defaming a poster of star forward Julius Randle.
The aftermath of New York’s devastating 96–92 season-ending defeat saw Randle, a third-team All-NBA selection, catch heat on social media after turning in his worst effort of the series: 15 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, as the Knicks walked off the floor in Miami, a small crowd of devastated Knicks fans some 1,300 miles away back home saw an opportunity to take out their frustration. The group ripped the Randle poster off a wall outside of Madison Square Garden before stomping on the ad and spray painting it while other jeered and made comments about the two-time All-Star in the background.
These Knicks fans are done with Julius Randle 😳
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) May 13, 2023
(via @TheColtonShow__, @tripleMwassup) pic.twitter.com/ki50HLw1rX
As the videos made the rounds on social, many Knicks fans and others in the basketball world bashed the group for their behavior. Some even defended Randle, who averaged a career-high 25.1 points per game this season, amid backlash regarding his playoff numbers; the 28-year-old averaged 16.6 points per contest on 37% shooting in 10 games.
Needless to say, despite Randle’s struggles and New York’s season being over, NBA Twitter made it clear that the Knicks fans outside MSG were way out of line:
Disgusting. https://t.co/o3AMiidxKH
— x - Let’s Talk Knicks (LTK) (@LetsTalkKnicks_) May 13, 2023
I don’t care if he had a disappointing playoffs. Doing this to Julius Randle after he made ALL-NBA is a total embarrassment for the fanbase.
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) May 13, 2023
We finally get an All-Star in New York, and THIS is how y’all treat him?
Be as frustrated as you want, but REAL Knicks fans don’t behave… pic.twitter.com/dcqaPH02Dt
Annnnnnnnnd this is what I was talking about with Knicks fans. Best team in a decade tough ending but overachieved on the season and this is what happens 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/VYmSIOlBLW
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) May 13, 2023
Knick fans
— DannyDurant (@KnicksDan) May 13, 2023
Don’t forget
Julius Randle brought his game to the next level this season after a very difficult previous season
He was a different player…
Yes, he didn’t pull through and we are disappointed, but dont forget this comeback season he had.
I’ll always love #30…
