Julius Randle wasn't interested in talking much about his fourth quarter benching in game four, telling reporters that it was head coach Tom Thibodeau's decision, and it was for others to judge his level of defensive effort in a disastrous third quarter that ultimately ended his day.
For Boomer, it was another piece of evidence that Randle can't be relied upon, and needs to start showing outward support of his head coach doing what's best for the team, even if that's at Randle's expense.
"This is where I want Julius Randle to be: 'OK, I sat on the bench in the fourth quarter because the coach realized that everybody else was playing better,'" Boomer said. "I want Julius Randle to do well, but I also want him to be a good teammate. "You gotta sack up…the team is winning, that's all that matters. I'm sick and tired of worrying about what his feelings are and how he feels about himself and how he's being used.
"You just gotta stand up and say 'Look, the coach did the right thing, and support the coach, for God's sake.'"
Boomer pointed to Draymond Green, who causes plenty of trouble on the court in the form of suspensions, as he had just served one in the Warriors' first round series against the Kings. But Green came back and openly suggested that he come off the bench instead of start, and it worked out for Golden State. Boomer wants to see Randle take that kind of route with the Knicks.
"Draymond Green is nuts. We all know he's nuts," Boomer said. "Even he, after being suspended, knew 'Maybe it would be better if I came off the bench.' It seemed to have worked pretty well for them."
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