Kevin Hart Booted Julius Randle Off ESPN's 'Unplugged' For Dissing His Hometown Philadelphia: ‘Get Off My Show’
Kevin Hart, a proud Philadelphian with a strong connection to the city's sports scene, was chosen by ESPN to offer a different viewpoint during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
In a surprising twist during the Eastern Conference finals, Knicks standout Julius Randle joined Hart on ESPN's "Unplugged" alternate broadcast on May 27, where he gained a new understanding of how Philly is viewed.
Starting off on a light note, Hart jokingly acknowledged the Knicks' win over the Sixers earlier in the season by humorously gifting them flowers. Meanwhile, sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Randle discussed the future of the New York Knicks and his predictions for the NBA Finals.
The friendly banter between Randle and the seasoned NBA Celebrity All-Star took an unexpected turn around 11 minutes into their chat, sparked by a bold question from one of Hart's pals, Harry Ratchford, a member of the Plastic Cup Boyz.
"Julius, I got a serious question," stated co-host Ratchford. "I don't like the Philadelphia 76ers at all. I don't really like the city of Philadelphia. Do you go for Philly cheese steak or a chopped cheese? Which one do you like the best?"
Caught off guard but maintaining a lighthearted demeanor, Randle responded with a chuckle and answering: "Chopped cheese. Y'all trying to get me in trouble?"
Feeling hurt by what he saw as his guest's betrayal, Hart asked Randle to leave without giving him a chance to explain.
"You know what, Julius? At this point, I'm gonna ask you to get your fat a** off our show," Hart said. "That's what I want. You go get your chopped cheese."
Everyone involved, including Hart, Randle, and the Plastic Cup Boyz, understood it was all in good fun, sharing a laugh together.
Afterwards, Randle endured a light-hearted teasing session, with the acclaimed comedian predicting a comeback for the Philadelphia 76ers next season.
