For players to have sustained success in the NBA they have to constantly adapt to different situations. Every team is going to throw something different at you to try and throw you off your game. How a player reacts and counterattacks their tactics will have a major impact on their performance.
For New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle, that process has not always been an easy one. At the beginning of his tenure with the team, Randle was out to prove that he was worth the contract that the team signed him to. Too often, he forced the action, resulting in turnovers and poor performances.
In Year 2, he overhauled his diet and game plan. It resulted in a magnificent season, as he earned first first All-Star game nod and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. He had re-invented himself, but teams were onto the adjustments.
It led to a down Year 3 as the Knicks and Randle failed to replicate the same level of success. After finishing fourth in the Easter Conference, New York failed to even qualify for the NBA Play-In Tournament.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
With the acquisition of point guard Jalen Brunson during the 2022 offseason, Randle’s game was to be adjusted again. He responded, putting together another All-Star and All-NBA Second Team campaign. Randle helped the Knicks earn the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
However, a balky ankle held him back from producing at his regular level. That ankle, which he underwent a procedure on in the offseason, led to an abysmal start to the 2023-24 season. Randle set records for his poor shooting marks, but he stuck with it and produced in other areas.
Further removed from the ankle procedure, we are seeing that high-level producer again. And to get to the level which he has gotten to, Randle has reinvited himself yet again. As shared by NBA University on X, Randle has made a concerted effort to work inside the arc, which has led to some dominating performances.
After averaging 8.3 3-pointers per game last season, Randle is down to only 5.0 attempts this season. That 3.3 decrease from last season is the third largest in the NBA this season and has been a big reason for his turnaround the last few weeks.
Instead of jacking up 3-pointers, as he is making only 28.3 percent this season, Randle is using his strength and bullying opponents near the paint. He is averaging 28.3 points per game with an elite true-shooting percentage of 63.2 over his last 15 games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
Randle’s turnovers have risen a little bit this season, a result of dribbling the ball more in post-ups. There is some work to do when it comes to double-team recognition, as Randle will sometimes over-dribble. But, that is a trade head coach Tom Thibodeau will make if Randle is creating so many positive plays whether it be scoring the ball himself or setting up his teammates.
With the addition of OG Anunoby, Randle’s post-ups should become even more frequent. He will find himself open even more often now with Anunoby replacing RJ Barrett in the lineup because of the disparity in 3-point shooting from the corners.
Anunoby is an elite corner shooter while Barrett struggled, which enabled teams to double Randle more often having no fear of Barrett beating them. The Knicks’ new small forward is also an adept cutter, which will open things up even more for this offense.
With Randle 3.0 flourishing before our eyes, this is a dangerous team. This is a roster coming together after the Anunoby acquisition as the Knicks have two All-Stars in Randle and Brunson leading the charge.
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