“Let me correct you.” Four beautiful words from New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau to defend his superstar and franchise savior Julius Randle.
Julius Randle didn't have a game by any stretch of the imagination. His final line against the Los Angeles Clippers isn't anything that would make the headlines or stoke the flames of his dark horse MVP candidacy. The first time All-Star notched 14 points and 14 rebounds to go along with five assists. He only made seven shots on an inefficient 19 attempts, failing to make any of his four attempts from deep. He didn't even attempt a free-throw.
But his imprint on the game was not lost on his Knicks coach, who had some fiery words after hearing a reporter say Randle didn't have a “big, big night”.
Tom Thibodeau says that Julius Randle had a big game despite a relative lack of scoring:
"Everyone tends to measure people on points or shots and not the all-around game" pic.twitter.com/LMeshUz2sh
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 10, 2021
Tom Thibodeau is 100% right in defending his point forward. The biggest stat that you could point too, the only stat that really matters in the end, was the final score: 106-100.
Randle was harassed constantly by double-teams by a Clippers side that wanted to make the Knicks star a non-factor. He answered back by finding his open teammates and hustling on the glass to contribute in other ways outside of scoring.
Every superstar has an off night, and Julius Randle has definitely been one for the Knicks for the season and especially as of late. The Knicks have been surging up the standings and they'll only go as far as their leader carries them.
New York's victory over the Clippers was crucial in securing the fourth seed, and home-court advantage against an equally surprising Atlanta Hawks side. With the Miami Heat also winning their game against the Boston Celtics, the Knicks now have two teams breathing down their neck for their top 4 seed.
But their fate is in their hands, as winning their remaining four contests will lock up the spot for good. The Knicks face the Los Angeles Lakers next on Tuesday night.
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