Charles Barkley 'disappointed' Julius Randle ducked the media
Charles Barkley found Julius Randle’s decision to skip out on his postgame media availability “disappointing” after he was benched in the Knicks’ Game 4 win against the Cavaliers.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau benched Randle for the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 102-93 win against the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference first-round series, a decision that was widely praised amid the All-Star’s offensive struggles.
“That was disappointing,” Barkley said of Randle skipping his postgame media availability during TNT’s “Inside the NBA” on Sunday.
“I like Julius Randle, he’s a very good player and a nice kid. I hate players who only speak to the media when things are going good… It doesn’t work like that.
“And what disappoints me the most, his team actually won. First of all, he wasn’t playing well, but you don’t get to talk to the press just when things are going good. But also, if your team won the game, you’re supposed to be happy y’all won the game. That’s very disappointing from a hell of a player who’s a good dude.”
A two-time All-Star, Randle finished with seven points on 3-of-10 shooting, two rebounds and a single assist in the Game 4 win.
He reportedly was not in the locker room when media was allowed to enter after the game.
During Monday’s installment of “First Take,” ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith called it a “weak” move on Randle’s part to skip out on talking to reporters.
Randle has struggled to find his rhythm offensively thus far in the first-round playoff series, while point guard Jalen Brunson has helped push the Knicks to a 3-1 series lead.
The fifth-seeded Knicks have held Cleveland under 100 points in all three of their wins.
Following Game 4, Thibodeau and Brunson both praised Randle for working around the clock to return from an ankle injury he suffered at the end of the regular season.
Charles Barkley on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” on April 23, 2023. YouTube
Knicks All-Star Julius Randle drives to the basket during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Hawks on April 23, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NBAE via Getty Images
The coach added that Randle is giving everything he has while continuing to play through the injury he sustained in a March 29 win against the Heat.
“Julius is our horse,” Thibodeau said when asked whether he had to speak to Randle about being benched down the stretch due to his status. “And he’s given us everything that he has.
“A lot of guys probably wouldn’t even be playing. So I knew that with the quick turnaround, probably impact him more than most players.
“He was out an extended amount of time. So we got multiple days here before the next game, he’ll get a chance to get some recovery time. But the thing I love about him is he gives you everything he has. To come back the way he did, to be ready for Game 1, credit to him. And we need him, he’s our horse.”
Thibodeau did not share further details about Randle’s injury.
Randle finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the Knicks’ Game 3 win on Friday at the Garden.
Knicks All-Star Julius Randle brings the ball up court during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 18, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
The Knicks are one win away from closing out their first postseason series win since 2013.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Cleveland at 7 pm ET.
Source: New York Post
