Once Julius Randle Learns How To Dribble It's Over For You Hoes

On Wednesday night, the New York Knicks managed to tie their first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks after a 101-92 victory at home. The Knicks have tied the series despite their All-Star, Julius Randle, forgetting how to play basketball and looking frightened by a sold-out Madison Square Garden.

Randle is shooting 11-for-39 and 4-for-13 from 3 in the first two games of this series.

Not great but correctable.

The biggest problem with Randle’s game right now isn’t shot-making. Every jump shot is a coin flip. He’s been unlucky. We had a 72-game sample size that shows Julius can shoot the ball. No need to be concerned there.

No, the real problem is his inability to get past a defender without losing his dribble.

In Randle’s first season with the Knicks, he rarely made the correct decision with the basketball in his hands. H

e had an out of control spin move that would frequently result in an off-balance chuck at the backboard or an offensive foul as he ran through a defender who was minding his own business and had no idea Randle was about to stumble into him.

This season, Randle corrected his decision making leading to his assists jumping from 3.1 a game to 6 a game. He was able to turn double teams into wide-open jumpers for his teammates. Golf clap.

But something strange has happened to Julius during this Hawks series.

Before a double team even comes his way, his dribbling becomes frantic.

Instead of reacting to what the defense is giving him, he is wildly attempting moves like he’s smashing his Xbox controller trying to beat his little brother in NBA2K but it’s resulted in 7 turnovers in two games and honestly being outplayed by his rookie backup, Obi Toppin.

The Atlanta Hawks ranked 21st in defensive rating.

There is no one on their roster capable of guarding Julius Randle but for some reason, he is being stonewalled by Danilo Gallinari. Actually, I shouldn’t say for ‘some reason’. I know the reason. It’s why I’m writing this article. Julius Randle dribbles like the star of the local JV girl’s basketball team.

Julius Randle needs to improve his handle.

He is ALWAYS jumping in the air to make a pass because the ball is being knocked out of his hands and he’ll be called for traveling if he doesn’t leave his feet.

I said the Knicks could beat the Nets but not if Randle is dribbling off his own feet and running up and down the court like his sneakers are on the wrong feet.

Whatever. Knicks in 4.

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