For a long stretch of the previous decade, the New York Knicks were in the receiving end of scrutiny and bashing from NBA fans. With the hiring of Tom Thibodeau and acquisition of Julius Randle, New York built a whole new and rejuvenated culture in Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks finished the final 30 games of the 2020-21 campaign with a 20-10 record, catapulting the franchise to the fourth seed and home court advantage against the Atlanta Hawks.
With Randle struggling recently, though, his teammates have not been as motivated and inspired compared to last season. As the leader of the team, he must possess traits that would galvanize the troops to replicate their successful run from last year. Playing under the bright lights of New York City is no easy feat, and it seems Randle has been drastically affected with the brute honesty of the MSG crowd.
Ever since he was booed a few weeks ago, his individual performance has dipped along with the effort of the team.
This was not cool by Julius Randle I don’t care how frustrated you are, you don’t do that to one of your teammates in front of everybody. pic.twitter.com/9rJAcjW5qW
— Bankai 🗡 (@New_Tape_City) January 21, 2022
Considering all that, we take a look at the three major factors that have contributed to Randle's recent slump with the Knicks.
3. Lack of 48-minute effort on both ends
Ever since the tenure of Thibodeau with the Chicago Bulls, he predicates his system with sheer effort and determination on every possession. Last year, there were hard working individuals who provided the utmost energy and focus every night, which reverberates across the whole unit. However, the key cogs of the Knicks in Randle, RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker have all been inconsistent.
The hardships they are encountering this season are not just with their numbers but also with the lackadaisical demeanor and body language. With Randle being an intense and ferocious forward, his teammates could easily follow his lead when they see him sacrificing and hustling for every loose ball.
Even with his shot not falling in, Randle needs to search for other ways wherein he can contribute on both sides of the court because that is one main characteristic that superstars must portray.
2. Jump shot is just not falling
One of the most important aspects to Randle's Most Improved Season last year was the rapid ascension of his in-between game and 3-point shooting. This facet of his arsenal was a glaring weaknesses before, but he would continually convert those attempts with the Knicks. When Randle receives the ball on the elbow, defenses formulate schemes to force him to go right and anchor the paint.
If opponents surround the paint and Randle has no Plan B or Plan C in manufacturing offense, it would be so much easier to game plan against the Knicks. Randle needs to practice and work on his pull-up and catch and shoot so defenses would have a tougher time anticipating his moves every possession.
Additionally, the ball movement of New York must improve so Randle's looks raises his confidence as the season progresses.
Julius Randle tonight:
4 PTS
1-9 FG
-26 (worst on team)The Knicks lost to the 17-28 Pelicans at home. pic.twitter.com/p0BEchYweK
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 21, 2022
1. Julius Randle struggles as a facilitator
With Randle's style of play flourishing as he initiates contact, he could also enhance his playmaking and facilitating ability. Even with his strength, the paint gets too crowded for Randle to get terrific looks, so he must realize that he could kick it out to his guards like Fournier and Walker.
Thibodeau is also challenged to develop his plays in order to fit the players on his roster.
Similar to last season, the lack of offensive prowess is still evident for the Knicks, but it is also the job of the coach to put his players in the best position to succeed. Randle's plays from the elbow are too predictable already, thus making it even more difficult for him to search for the perfect areas where he could continually find his rhythm again.
After the two disastrous losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans, being stagnant and looking for internal solutions does not seem to be the answer for this iteration of the Knicks. With the trade deadline looming and New York having numerous movable pieces, they must scour the market and try looking for the pieces that would fit alongside Randle.
After signing his $117 million extension in the offseason, it indicates that the Knicks are invested in him for the future and hopefully relieve the glory days in MSG.
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