It's official: the New York Knicks have found their new franchise player and his name is Julius Randle.
Of course, Knicks Nation will claim that they've known this from day one, but now that the All-Star is completely turning the franchise around, there is no question that the new king of the concrete jungle has definitely arrived.
Behind another huge win at Madison Square Garden, Randle set another franchise record with another big game against the Chicago Bulls. The 26-year-old finished his 34 points to lead the way for the Knicks, which is his seventh 30-point game for the month of April. According to ESPN Stats & Info, this is now the most in a calendar month by any player from the franchise since Carmelo Anthony back in February 2014.
Julius Randle has 7 30-point games in April.
That is the most in a calendar month by a Knicks player since Carmelo Anthony in February 2014 (also 7). pic.twitter.com/MESd95xp1b
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 29, 2021
After another incredible calendar month, Randle's case to run away with this season's Most Improved Player is looking like a lock. He has been averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists, and it's clear that he is more than comfortable being under the spotlight as the Knicks' main option moving forward.
Last season, Randle's debut campaign for New York, the Knicks were undergoing a rough rebuild and fell all the way to the 12th spot of the East prior to the league shutting down in March. This season, the ‘Bockers have found themselves all the way to the top-four of the conference and even have a realistic shot at claiming the third spot.
After propelling himself all the way to his first All-Star nod this season, don't be surprised if we find Randle's name at the top of the list when it comes to naming this season's All-NBA first team.
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