A terrific season for the New York Knicks ended with a thud on Friday when they fell in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Miami Heat, 96-92.
After the conclusion of Game 5, Julius Randle was seen kissing his wife Kendra, and former NBA player Kenyon Martin criticized him for doing so instead of being with his teammates.
“We just got done playing a hard fought game in a playoff series and the first thing [Julius Randle does] is you go kiss his wife,” Martin said. “That’s the first thing you do? Where is your mind at? The very first thing he did, dawg, when the game was over.
“I am sitting there watching the game with my wife. I’m like, ‘I love you to death, but ain’t no way in that incident. I’m gonna be with my guys. We just got done winning, I’m not even thinking about you.'”
On Saturday, Kendra Randle responded to Martin’s comments.
😂😂😂 slow news day I guess. Both of us grew up in single parent homes. We never saw our dads respect our mothers. I’m so grateful my kids get to grow up watching their dad be the best father and husband❤️ https://t.co/hzBFd7fLoP
— Kendra Randle (@KendraRandle_) May 13, 2023
Not too many people expected the Knicks to make the playoffs this season, let alone be the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, but that’s exactly what they did as one of the NBA’s biggest surprises. Randle was a key reason why. During the regular season, he had arguably his best year yet, averaging 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while earning All-Star honors.
Much as they did two years ago, the last time they reached the playoffs, the Knicks found success in winning ugly and forcing opponents to grind it out.
Unfortunately for New York, Randle played well beneath his standards throughout the postseason, averaging just 16.6 points per game while shooting 37.4 percent from the field. Some criticized him for what they saw as poor body language and a negative attitude during his playoff struggles.
Still, the Knicks have a sense of direction for the first time in a long time, and the biggest factor seems to be last summer’s acquisition of guard Jalen Brunson, who blossomed this season.
Many folks in New York were left enthused by the Knicks’ newfound success this season. However, there’s an old saying that good is the enemy of great, and making the playoffs and winning a series or two simply won’t cut it for a franchise that hasn’t won an NBA championship in 50 years.
Some people in the NBA world, such as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, now feel New York should strike while the iron is hot and take a big swing by trading for an established star such as the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard.
