New York Knicks

Stephen A Smith blasts Julius Randle and says the Knicks should trade him: ‘He out there acting like he Kyrie’

Published by
Brad Sullivan

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith suggested that the New York Knicks should trade forward Julius Randle, stating (at the 2:10 mark) that Randle is trying too hard to act like Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving.

“He out there acting like he Kyrie,” said Smith. “He don’t have those kind of skills. He’s a one-armed bandit.”

Randle has been the subject of plenty of criticism this season, even though his statistical numbers haven’t necessarily declined to a great extent.

In 50 games this season, Randle is averaging 18.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, though his long-range shooting touch has dipped to just 30.3 percent.

One of the reasons for the level of criticism being directed at Randle is that the Knicks have been struggling all season to establish momentum. They currently have a 24-28 record and have dropped seven of their last nine games.

Last year, the Knicks were knocked out of the postseason in the first round of the postseason, losing in five games to the Atlanta Hawks.

While that early exit was a disappointment, the Knicks and their fans saw it as a building block in their development. That appeared to be continuing when the Knicks won five of their first six games this season.

Since then, Randle and the team continue to have problems. Playing in the country’s largest media market and Randle’s steep salary have made the bullseye on his back even larger.

The fact that Smith is offering such blistering comments shouldn’t be seen as anything out of the ordinary. He gets paid by the network to provide over-the-top commentary, so unless Randle and the Knicks show improvement, they can expect more vitriol from Smith directed their way.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN colleague scolds him for using ‘barbershop hearsay’ on Steph Curry

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith recently relayed a controversial take that an anonymous Hall of Famer…

3 hours ago

Hall of Famer claims Steph Curry would’ve averaged 17 PPG or less in his era: ‘We would’ve hurt him’

An anonymous Hall of Famer allegedly told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that if Golden State…

23 hours ago

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

2 days ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

3 days ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

4 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

6 days ago