thelesterlee
The Eastern Conference is STACKED this season. Normally, starting the season 8-7 would be the dream for Knicks fans but we spoiled last year with New York getting homecourt advantage in the playoffs. We have new expectations now. Unfortunately, Julius Randle doesn’t give a shit about any of that as the All-NBA forward is playing like he cannot wait to go home.
Last season, the Atlanta Hawks exposed the hell out of Randle. They were able to trap and double him forcing him to look like he’s never dribbled a basketball before. But the Knicks went out and attempted to solve that problem by signing Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. You can’t double Randle anymore because everyone on the court can shoot.
Yet somehow, Julius still looks like he’s never dribbled a basketball before.
Randle looks lost. There is nothing more awkward than a professional basketball player who has no idea where to stand on a basketball court. Looking at you, Ben Simmons.
With the additions of Kemba and Fournier along with the new aggression of RJ Barrett, Randle has found himself standing at the top of the arc watching the action as opposed to initiating himself like he did last season.
In his last 5 games, Randle is averaging only 16.2 points on 38.3% shooting. PU. He has 18 turnovers to 17 assists. PU. He’s -68 in those 5 games. That’s dead last on the team. PU. The only win in the last week came in a comeback against the Indiana Pacers that occurred while Randle was watching from the bench.
Let’s look at his terrible efficiency.
In his first 15 games last season, Rande attempted:
61 three-pointers and dished out 92 assists.In his first 15 games this season, Rande has attempted:
94 three-pointers and dished out 75 assists— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) November 18, 2021
Without being able to bring the ball up and make every decision, he’s turned into Kyle Kuzma out there. All-NBA big man is playing like Luke Kennard. He spent the offseason studying Davis Bertans tape.
He is stronger than almost anyone defending him yet he refuses to take the ball in the post and get easy buckets. Instead, he’s chucking 3’s or he’s trying to drive from the 3-point line and I don’t know if I’ve made this clear but uh, he’s not the best dribbler ever and he’s been stripped frequently.
It also doesn’t help that you can visually see how disengaged he is. The bench mob gains the lead that the starting 5 squandered and Randle shows zero excitement from the bench. He should be watching RJ Barrett ascend with pride but he looks sad when he doesn’t get the ball.
I don’t think the Knicks would be better without Randle on the roster.
Your team is always better when there are All-NBA players on the roster. However, it would be nice if he was having a better season than the second-year player who was only drafted by the team because his agent is the team president’s son. (Shout out Obi though. He might actually be that dude).
Honestly, the Knicks just need to stop losing to the fucking Orlando Magic. Dear Julius, please stop playing like Omri Casspi. Do that thing you did last year where you were the best player on the team. Thank you.
