New York Knicks fans still have a lot of love for power forward Julius Randle — even though the Brooklyn Nets star is now playing for another New York team.
When the former Kentucky Wildcats star was introduced before Monday's game between the Nets and the reigning NBA champions Knicks at his old stomping grounds, Madison Square Garden, Randle got loud applause and cheers from the crowd in attendance.
Here is a look at that scene inside MSG.
Randle spent five seasons donning the Knicks uniform. During his time with New York, he consistently flashed his all-around abilities, putting up averages of 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, while shooting 45.0 percent from the field across 330 games (all starts). He also earned all three of his NBA All-Star nods to date while he was still with the Knicks.
Just weeks before the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Knicks decided to trade Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves in what was a three-team swap that also involved the Charlotte Hornets. It was the same blockbuster trade that landed New York another ex-Kentucky basketball star and big man, Karl-Anthony Towns, who would later help the Knicks win the franchise's first NBA title in over five decades.
In July, Randle started another chapter in his NBA career, as the Nets acquired him from the Timberwolves via a four-team trade that also included the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets.
Randle and the Nets entered the Knicks game coming off their first win of the season, which was a 98-90 victory over the Indiana Pacers on the road on Sunday.