Play.
Julius Randle gives a thumbs up after a basket.
Julius Randle gave a thumbs up gesture after scoring a goal. There is a time and a place.
6:57 PM
Julius said in his apology that his postgame comments were an example of how sometimes you say things you regret.
"Just wanted to let our fans know that I love NYC and am a part of this team and this franchise," he wrote. Like most Knicks fans, I am very passionate about our success.
The fans and New Yorkers have embraced us and made us feel great about our decision to commit long-term with the team. This support means a lot to us.
I understand that my actions represent the league, this organization, and the city, and that I should have handled things differently and expressed myself with more professional language in the heat of the moment. Sometimes you say things you regret to people you love, even if it comes from a place of passion and deep love.
I will continue to show my loyalty to my teammates, the Knicks organization, and the fans who have shown me and my family so much love because nobody wants to win more than me. I will keep focused on the future.
Julius Randle said Friday that he should have "expressed myself with more professionalism and more appropriate language in the heat of the moment."
After making a layup in the fourth quarter of New York's come-from-behind win, he gestured to the crowd at Madison Square Garden, who had booed him during the first part of the game.
After the game, when asked what he meant by his thumbs-down to the fans, he bluntly said, "Shut the f--- up."
After the Knicks practiced in Westchester, Randle was blunt when asked what he thought about the negative vibes surrounding him.
"I don't give af--- what anyone says to me, to be honest," he said. I'm playing. I know the game better than anyone else, and that's a plus.
I don't give a s---. I just play.
When the New York Mets had a home run hit by a player with a pair of thumbs down, it stood out to everyone. The gesture was made in response to the fans' treatment of him and his teammates.
Last season, he set career highs in several categories, including scoring, rebound, assists, 3-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage, and signed a four-year, $117 million extension.
This season has been different. His 3-point shooting is down more than 8% from last season, and that is one of the reasons why his production has dipped.
New York plays Boston again Saturday on the road. The Knicks have won seven of their past 11 games and are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
