The New York Knicks finally look like they're hitting their stride this season. They have won seven of their last 10 games and are making progress in the Eastern Conference standings. Still, the Knicks are far from where they were expected to be halfway through the season.

Julius Randle has been a key part of New York's recent success. But he also has not been as dominant as he was last season, which is partly a cause for the Knicks' failing to live up to expectations so far. His performance this season has been brutal at times, which has drawn loads of criticism.

Jeff Van Gundy, who spent 14 years as a Knicks coach, including seven as the head coach, blasted Randle for his on-court body language and lack of personal accountability after telling fans to shut up via a thumbs down. Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley spoke out about his thumbs-down motion, too.

Randle knows that the Knicks have struggled badly their season but he has also been candid about his thoughts towards the Knicks fans and haters that are counting them out. Although the situation with fans has been smoothed out, he still has a lot to prove on the floor. He has to keep playing well in order to show that he wasn't a one-hit-wonder last season.

After making a splash by acquiring Cam Reddish from the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks are ready to keep rolling and possibly play their way back into the playoff picture.