If Julius Randle doesn't win as Most Improved Player of the Year, there will be a second reckoning, with galactic comets and raging asteroids raining down from the burning sky.
Too hyperbolic? Well, let's just say this: Randle is good. He has truly, completely, totally, absolutely come to his own in his second stint with the Knicks. He was showered with criticisms last year by highly critical Knicks fans because of his pedestrian play. Now, in his breakout campaign, he's being serenaded with MVP chants.
Last month, the 26-year-old Randle admitted to ESPN anchor Adrian Wojnarowski that he draws inspiration from another all-business guy in Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. Randle said he's watched a ton of Leonard videos, especially from his championship run with the Toronto Raptors.
After their loss to the Knicks on Sunday evening, Leonard reacted to Randle's revelation, and in true Fun Guy fashion, he had a meek yet appreciative response (via Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated).
“That's great. That's what we here for. To inspire the guys that come in behind you. You could definitely tell how much he's working.”
Leonard sure knows how to put in the work. Like Randle, he made huge leaps in his career through sheer desire to get better. Now, he's a two-time champion.
While Randle entered the NBA with tremendous upside, he was never touted as an MVP-type stud. But with his hard work and willingness to learn from other players, he has truly reaped the rewards. More importantly, he's been the face of the much-awaited resurgence of the Knicks.
The only extremely difficult question now perhaps is: Who has the better cornrows between Julius Randle and Kawhi Leonard?
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